The Brief
- Underwater videos released by the University of Minnesota reveal the impact of wakesurfing on lake environments.
- The study recommends wakesurfing boats should operate at depths of 20 feet or more to minimize impacts to the lakebed.
- The FOX 9 Investigators recently highlighted a growing push to ban or limit wakesurfing on potentially thousands of Minnesota lakes, citing environmental concerns.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Underwater turbulence from wakesurfing can “adversely” impact Minnesota’s lakes, according to a highly anticipated study by the University of Minnesota.
Wake boats and the environment
What we know:
While the study acknowledges that all boats have the potential to damage aquatic vegetation, researchers recommend that wake boats should only operate in “surfing mode” on lakes where the water depth is 20 feet or greater to minimize impacts on the lakebed.
Researchers with the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory conducted the multi-year study on Lake Minnetonka, using a variety of powerboats, underwater sensors and cameras. …