A highly anticipated 2-year study on the effects of wake boats was just completed here by the University of Minnesota.  The results are eye popping.  These vessels are literally ruining the lakes before our very eyes.  The destruction not only on the shorelines but also underwater is catastrophic.

 

The study recommends that they only operate in wake mode when it's at least 20 feet deep and at least 500 feet from shore.  Some are advocating for a full statewide ban.  I don't think a statewide ban is the solution.  People have $150 grand invested into these watercraft.  This crowd has deep pockets and will be fighting it tooth and nail.  But the overwhelming majority of the public wants to keep our most valuable resource safe: our lakes.

 

If a rule implementing the 20+ feet of depth and 500+ feet from shore is mandated, that would simply eliminate their use on a lot of smaller lakes, which is where the damage is occurring.  They can safely be used on bigger lakes in deeper water.

 

Check out this video.

 

https://www.fox9.com/news/lake-minnetonka-wakesurfing-boat-impact-videos

Wow! Thanks for posting this.

 

Florida has this same problem because a lot of our waters are more shallow than Minnesota.

 

One thing I notice here is that all prop boats on the water are mowing up the vegetation, especially the eel grass. It floats to surface and makes fishing harder and wind blows it to shore and leaves piles of dead decaying plant matter everywhere, especially on boat ramps where it causes tires to slip and slide when thick on the ramp.

 

I often have to dig it out from under my wheels just to get rubber on concrete.

 

No doubt all prop boats, not just these wake boarding boats do cause harm. Massive amounts of harm. I guess even I am guilty of it.

 

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(A facebook post I found- not Florida)

 

Lake Guntersville Fishing 

 

 ·August 29, 2024 ·

FYI, Beach Creek state launch has been rendered useless due to eel grass cutting. Eel grass is 40 yards thick. I understand and support the effort but this practice needs seasonal regulations. This is 2 years in a row This public boat ramp has been basically shut down right before labor day. Who should I contact?

 

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Almost as bad at some of my lakes and ramps. The towns of Maitland and Winter Park have purchased their own removal boat with conveyor belt to scoop as much of it up as they can and remove it from the lakes.