Wake Surf Study Released

A new University of Minnesota study confirms that wakesurfing scours lakebeds, destroys fish habitat, and stirs up long-dormant pollutants in our glacial lakes.

The long awaited University of Minnesota Phase II study is now out and the results are not good for Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes.  The most important conclusion is that wakeboats in wake surf mode should only be used in water depths 20 feet or greater. While all boats can impact the bottom, the wakeboat impacts are quite jarring when compared to the other types of watercraft tested. While the bottom videos only cover depths of 9 and 14 feet, the 20 foot recommendation was based on additional SAFL testing done in 27 feet of water. The study report goes on to say that the 20 foot buffer should be measured from the surface of the water to the top of any bottom vegetation where our fish population will many times reside.

Wisconsin Public Radio also summarizes the study, here.