Michigan Work and Boat Wake Research/Education
Macfarlane: Wakesurfing, Wakeboarding, and Waterskiing: A Comparison of Wake Characteristics
Michigan DNR Fisheries Division Report 37 (all relevant studies are included here)
2024 Annual MLSA Conference: Current Perspectives on Wake Boats by Dr. Joe Nohner, MDNR Fisheries Division
McNALMS Event: Current Perspectives on Wake Boats (recordings and presentations by MDNR and MBIA/WSIA)
Research happening now: St. Anthony Falls – Healthy Waters Initiative
Michigan HB5532 (this is the link for the state website to follow the current state of the legislation)
Videos:
Wisconsin Wake Impact Video
Lakes at Stake Video
200 Feet is Not Responsible Video
Michigan Legislature. (1995, May 24). Section 324.80158: Responsibility of vessel owner for damage caused by vessel wake (Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Public Act 451 of 1994). Michigan Legislature. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-324-80158
MLSA Writings about Boat Wakes
The Michigan Riparian magazine articles
2023 Fall – Wake Boats – What Can Be Done?
2022 Fall – Pine Lake
2019 Summer – Wake Boats, Again!
2018 Fall – More on Wake Boats
2017 Fall – The Killer Bees appear to be winning
2013 Fall – Of Mosquitos and Killer Bees
Newsletter articles
How to Talk about Wake Boats
Critical Boat Wake Legislation Introduced
MDNR Releases Special Report on Wake Boats
Boat Wakes Research and Vermont Petition Process
Science Matters: Wake-Boat Mode Research
Making Wakes with the Wake Boat Study
In the wake of the boat wake study
Boat Wake and Propeller Wash Impacts Presentation
Wake boat Update
MLSA Votes to Fund Major Boat Wake Study
MLSA Helps Fund a Boat Wake Research Project
MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates on Wake boats
SB 1072 of 2018 Amends MCL 324.41325 to Regulate Wake Boats and AIS Issues
The Killer Bees Appear to be Winning – An Update on Wake Boats
Reports of Wake Boat Caused Damage to Lakefront Property and Shorelines in Michigan Increasing in Frequency
Steadily Increasing Reports of Wake Boat Caused Damage to Shorelines and Lakefront Property Suggests Need for State of Michigan Regulation
Popularity of Wake Enhancing Boats Causing Increased Damage to Michigan Waterfront Property and Natural Areas
Wake Boats Rendering Damage to Natural Shorelines and Docks
DNR Boat Wake Report
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division put out a report about boat wake research and concerns. The basic recommendations of the report are as follows:
- Boats operating in wake-surfing mode or wake-boarding mode, during which boat speed, wave shapers, and/or ballast are used to increase wave height, are recommended to operate at least 500 feet from docks or the shoreline, regardless of water depth.
- Boats operating in wake-surfing or wake-boarding modes are recommended to operate in water at least 15 feet deep.
- Ballast tanks should be completely drained prior to transporting the watercraft over land.
The recommended increase in distance from shore as well as the increased depth for operation during wake sports are crucial to the protection of our waterways. Concerns about boat wake damage to lakes and streams as well as safety issues for humans and wildlife have been mounting around the country as wake boats have gained popularity. Michigan Lakes and Streams Association has been working with other organizations from coast to coast that are seeing these issues. Limiting damage to shoreline and fishery habitats, eliminating the scouring of the bottomlands, and reducing the spread of invasive species are critically important to the preservation of our lakes and streams for future generations. We hope that boaters, lake residents, and policy makers will join us in further action based on the recommendations of MDNR Fisheries Division Report 37.
MLSA looks forward to working with stakeholders as well as government and agency officials of all levels to help preserve and protect our lakes and streams with common sense regulations. We appreciate the initiative and care of the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division in putting out this official report.
Link to the full report: https://mymlsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Fisheries-Report-37-Wake-Boat-Study-Official-Version-Released-on-7.28.2023.pdf
Work in other states and news items
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. (2024, May 1). Vermont’s new wake boat rule goes into effect for the 2024 boating season. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. https://dec.vermont.gov/press-release/vermonts-new-wakeboat-rule-goes-effect-2024-boating-season
2024 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Wake Boat Rule
Maine Legislature. (2024, April 1). An Act to Implement Recommendations in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Report on Wake Boats (Document No. 2284). Maine Legislature. https://legislature.maine.gov/backend/App/services/getDocument.aspx?documentId=106611
Oregon State Marine Board. (n.d.). Newberg pool rules. Oregon State Marine Board. https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/pages/newberg-pool-rules.aspx
Maine Legislature. (n.d.). Title 12, §13068-A: Operating watercraft; prohibitions (Statute). Maine Legislature. https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/12/title12sec13068-A.html
Miller, C. (2024, August 7). Wake boats capsized dragons in Willamette River’s restricted areas. Willamette Week. https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/08/07/wake-boats-capsized-dragons-in-willamette-rivers-restricted-areas/