As temperatures on land start to rise as spring blooms, Connecticut officials are warning boaters that water temperatures will still be much colder.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched its “Cold Water Safety Campaign” to remind people of cooler water temperatures as they expect boaters to flock to the water with warm weather in the forecast.

The purpose of the campaign, DEEP said, is to encourage boaters “to be prepared for the difference between the warm air and the cold water.”

DEEP said that the sun warms the air much faster than the water in the spring, so the water remains cold for a longer period of time.

The campaign will, over the next few months, include temperature readings on bodies of water across the state.

The campaign’s main objective is to make sure people are prepared when they go out on the water. Their tips include always boating with another person, filing a float plan so someone knows when and where to expect you to be and checking the weather ahead of time.

“DEEP wants boaters to have fun on the water and be prepared for the unexpected to help prevent tragedies,” the department said in a statement.

Part of that preparation includes life jackets, which are required for all operators and passengers on manually propelled vessels in Connecticut between October 1 and May 31.

Wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, the department said, significantly increases the chances of surviving an unexpected cold water immersion.

“With Connecticut offering so many recreational opportunities on inland lakes and ponds, rivers, and the Long Island Sound, we urge people to take proper precautions when the water is still cold,” said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes. “We want boaters to enjoy their time on the water and understand the risks of cold water, particularly during this time of year.”

Other tips for spring boating include making sure safety gear and communication equipment is charged and working properly, including a required sound making device; checking that onboard fire extinguishers are not expired; and maintaining a proper lookout for any floating debris like damaged logs or docks that may be floating downstream into Long Island Sound.

“We want new and experienced boaters alike to get out on the water and enjoy the warm spring weather but do so safely,” said Peter Francis, director of DEEP’s Boating Division.

For more information and updates from the Cold Water Safety Campaign, visit or follow DEEP’s boating safety accounts on Facebook at @BoatinginConnecticut on Instagram at @ctdeep_boating and on X at @CTBoatingInfo.