Hi Craig, Fresh water is less dense than salt, and kicks up sooner. Whitecaps would appear on Lake Erie around 12 kts while here on salt it's more like 15. I would reckon that other wave characteristics are likewise observed sooner. Carey -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Craig Jungers Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 1:06 PM To: Paddlewise Paddlewise Subject: [Paddlewise] Fresh water lake paddling I did a 4.5 sm paddle yesterday in blustery winds up to about 25kts. The interesting thing was that even with the relatively short (1 or 2 statute miles) the wind raised the occasional 18-inch wave with a period short enough to occasionally wash over my Mariner Express. Surfing downwind was a blast, however. However I do have a question about the size of the waves which, I think, are unusual given the wind speed and the fetch. The lake (Moses Lake) is pretty shallow with depths of 12 to 20 feet maximum and I was paddling in waters about typical. I've noticed that winds across this lake tend to produce steep waves that are close together and seem larger than those conditions would produce on salt water. Does fresh water react differently to wind conditions than salt water or is it mostly a result of the shallow water? Anyone have any thoughts on this?] Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jul 24 2009 - 11:48:48 PDT
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