Water Temperatures

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:00 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 25th January '15: 2C (35.5F)

One of the coldest Januaries in my recent memory with Hatchmere's water temp. persistently below 5C.

me_hatchmere_25-1-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

maryinoxford · Post by **maryinoxford** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 9:50 pm

Pete, you really are amazing. Brave. Tough. Hardy. Sane...? Well...

I admire you. But I have no ambitions to emulate you. Keep swimming...

Mary

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:54 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire: 3C (37.5F)

Thanks Mary, will be continuing to swim as long as I'm able.

No pic today because there's no ice nor snow and the resulting view would be just the same as the previous post, even down to the weather.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:00 pm

River Weaver, Weaver Sailing Club, Frodsham 7th February '15: 3C (37.5F)

No ice, however the Weaver at Frodsham is brackish so ice is very rare.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:12 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 8th February '15: 2C (35.5F)

I was filming my fellow swimmer while he took my pic. using my camera.

me_Hatchmere 8-2-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:04 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 15th February '15: 5C (41F)

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:08 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 22nd February '15: 3.5C (38F)

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:33 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 1st March '15: 6C (43F)

me_hatchmere 1-3-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:05 pm

River Weaver, Weaver Sailing Club, Frodsham 7th March '15: 6.5C (44F)

Level normal, but a fair current. Clarity very good.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:59 pm

River Mersey, Victoria Park, Warrington: 7.5C (45.5C)

Stiff current, water slightly muddy, water quality good. Decent day as well, first sunny day I've swum outdoors this year.

me_mersey_warrington 18-3-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:09 pm

River Weaver, Winsford, Cheshire 27th March '15: 8C (46F)

Current about 2mph, water somewhat turbid.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:26 pm

Pickmere Lake, Pickmere, Cheshire 7th April '15: 13C (55F)

First black 'un this year. In fact I was convinced we'd see only 10C at best so took another measurement: 13C. There was a guy paddling passing us on some stand-up thingy like a sailboard without a sail. Looks like they might have banned the power boats on Pickmere so it appears kayaks and other small boats might be OK. In fact half of Pickmere Lake is registered common land.

There's a "Danger, deep water, no bathing, no paddling" sign that's been there for the 35 years I've been going there and universally ignored, hence our pee-taking swimcaps. You can see the notice on the left of the pic below. In fact we know that no-one has any power to stop paddling and swimming. Only point of concern is that unlike Hatchmere, the water depth drops off sharply without any warning about 20 yards from the shore - in fact 30 years ago a little boom delineated the shallow area in front of the beach. The "no paddling" bit means "no kids wading in the water" ;-)

two_at_pickmere_taking_pee 7-4-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

and the temperature

Pickmere_temp 7-4-15 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

*Before anyone says it - yes I do need to go on a diet

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:55 pm

Pickmere Lake, Pickmere, Cheshire 17th April '15: 13C (55F)

Basically I copied and pasted the entry from the 7th because the only change was adding a "1" to the date. Found out that the power boats are using the lake but they are sticking to their half of the lake. The half that is common land abuts the little beach and facing Great Budworth. I understand they are careful and take great care to avoid cutting up paddlers, swimmers etc.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:47 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 20th April '15: 13.5C (56F)

DSCF4613 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 11:34 pm

Not been posting anything as I've been banned from swimming until now. The reason is shown below:

War Wound1 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

That war wound conceals my new implanted cardioverter/defibrillator fitted by Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (thanks guys) which has remarkably improved my exercise tolerance. I have bilateral pacing which means there are three electrical leads plugged into my heart. Unlike a pacemaker, which only paces on demand, my device paces every single beat which is why an ICD is much larger due to the need for a high-capacity battery - mine is expected to last for 10 years. There is one lead harpooned into the muscle of three of the four chambers of my heart and the arm movements involved in swimming could dislodge the leads until fibrosis anchors them in place. In fact for six weeks I wasn't allowed to lift anything with my left arm. However I attended clinic this Monday and I was cleared for swimming but I gave an undertaking that I was never to swim alone, and if in open water I use a tow float. The reason: should my device decide I was suffering a dangerous arrhythmia it would shock me in order to restore rhythm. However the sensation is quite unpleasant, in fact it feels like being kicked hard in the chest - from the inside, and no, it hasn't happened to me but I understand the shock is enough to incapacitate for a few minutes. Should that happen the float will support me until I recover. I've got to behave myself because I have a bedside monitor which talks to my little electronic friend via Bluetooth and downloads my 24hr ECG and other physiological measurements which is then sent via the cellular network to the hospital. All this happens around 3-4am while I'm in bed asleep.

So hopefully I'll be posting temps shortly.

Wildswimmer Pete

chriscw · Post by **chriscw** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 11:08 am

Glad to hear that you are back in action. I was swimming in the Thames with my daughter and grand children last Friday. The water seemed quite warm to be and the kids were happy with it too. I did not have a thermometer with me but I would guess somewhere around 55 degrees (13 degrees C).

If you are looking for a swim buddy down this way any time let me know.

Adrian Cooper · Post by **Adrian Cooper** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 12:35 pm

Good to see you're getting sorted Pete.

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:04 am

Adrian Cooper wrote:Good to see you're getting sorted Pete.

chriscw wrote:Glad to hear that you are back in action. I was swimming in the Thames with my daughter and grand children last Friday. The water seemed quite warm to be and the kids were happy with it too. I did not have a thermometer with me but I would guess somewhere around 55 degrees (13 degrees C).

If you are looking for a swim buddy down this way any time let me know.

Thanks guys. Actually had a couple of dips recently (no swimming) but yesterday (16th) had my first proper outdoor swim since April when my ICD was fitted.

River Dee, Eccleston Ferry, Chester, 16th July '15: 19C (66F)

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire, 26th July '15: 17C (62.5F)

Markedly below normal, should be 21-24C in July.

Hatchmere again, 16th August '15: 19C (66F)

Just about scraping "normal". Low water temps reflect the appalling "summer" we've endured in this neck of the woods. Possibly the worst British summer I've experienced during my 60+ years.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 5:52 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 6th September '15: 16C (61F)

A palindromic temperature! However 16C is well below normal for the time of the year - should be 19-20C. 16C is what one would expect in early October. Top pic is the thermometer, the lower is me swimming with my new tow float, well, in tow. Excuse water drop on lens window, I don't think my mate saw the blob in the display when he took my pic.

P9061343 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

P9061364 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 4:30 pm

River Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire 11th September '15: 17C (62.5F)

P9111389 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:30 pm

Special offer this time: three for one.

River Dee, Eccleston Ferry, Chester 19th September '15: 13C (55%)

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, 27th September '15: 15.5C (60F)

River Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire, 4th October '15: 13C (55F)

Just remembered, I can't now pull any more stunts like swimming in my harness in wild water because should my upper chest hit a rock or similar my device and/or wiring could be damaged and I'd be seriously stuffed. :-(

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:12 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, 25th October '15: 10.5C (51F)

Almost a blue'un - I suspect next time it will be single-digit. How I hate the British winter.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Tue Dec 01, 2015 5:48 pm

River Mersey, New Brighton, 27th November '15: 9C (48F)

9C is slightly below normal for the end of November. I'd normally expect 10C or so.

It's a salty one but in the estuary, not open sea. Spring tide fully in, seriously windy and very rough, both of us were risking being slammed into the river wall.

PB271528 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

PB271544 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Tue May 03, 2016 8:24 pm

I'm back. Have had a few cold swims this past winter but I've yet to post them. I've also moved and don't have broadband until later this week - currently posting on a 3G-enabled Chromebook but mobile internet is s-l-o-w and expensive and I can't really upload jpegs. Was also relieved that expensive box of electronics in my chest wasn't fazed by extreme cold (although it's well insulated).

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Tue May 17, 2016 7:17 pm

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire 8th May '16: 17C (64F)

Playing with my big boy's toy (Sea Scooter)

P5080053 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Wed May 25, 2016 1:19 pm

River Medway, Maidstone town centre, 23rd May '16: 18C (64F)

If I'd tried this even five years ago I'd have had at least some funny looks if not actually berated. Nowadays not even a second glance from passers by. That section of the Medway has navigation rights, the navigation authority being the Environment Agency. Many thanks to the local rowing club who didn't object to me using their concrete landing stage.

me_medway 23-5-16_1 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

medway_upstream 23-5-19 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

medway_temp 23-5-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

Jimbo2016 · Post by **Jimbo2016** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 10:29 am

Hello. Nice to see some river pictures on this thread again.

Do you have any temperatures for recent dates this year?

Thanks

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:21 pm

Jimbo2016 wrote:Hello. Nice to see some river pictures on this thread again.

Do you have any temperatures for recent dates this year?

Thanks

Yes, and welcome to the forums. I've a report to do on the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire. My mate delivers lorries for a job and if he has something back he takes me for a day out, and if possible I get a swim in somewhere new anywhere in the UK. Sadly, work has been relatively scarce during the past few months so very few swims for me.

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Jul 10, 2016 9:34 pm

River Cherwell, Upper Hayford, Oxon 7th June '16: 18C (64F)

A small, fast flowing river with variable depth. Water very clear and obviously well stocked with fish given the number who bumped into and/or nibbled me. Bed is a mix of sand and mud which is quite deep and very sticky if you're in bare feet. Access via farm gate with a notice reading "Livestock. Please keep dogs under control" so the farmer has no problems with the public wandering over his land.

R. Cherwell 1 10-6-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

R. Cherwell 2 10-6-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

R. Cherwell 3 10-6-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

R. Cherwell 6 10-6-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

R. Cherwell water temp 10-6-16 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wldswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete · Post by **Wildswimmer Pete** » Sun Jul 10, 2016 10:23 pm

River Nene, Wansford, Cambridgeshire 21st June '15: 21C (70F)

This was taken where the A1 crosses the Nene at Wansford, on the A47 between Wisbech and Peterborough. Moderate current and somewhat muddy however quite warm at 21C. Muddy bed and deep close to the edge, my mate on the bank had to help me climb out. Access OK but very weedy banks and slippery paths. There is a public right of access but beware, apparently the area is well known for certain dubious activities. We were followed down to the bank and our follower only left when I made it known I was going swimming, nothing else.

Nene 10-6-16 2 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Nene 10-6-16 5 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Nene 10-6-16 1 by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Nene 10-6-16 water temp by Wildswimmer Pete, on Flickr

Wildswimmer Pete

UKRGB

The UK Rivers Guidebook

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