Findings released in SAFL Wake Boat Study, Phase II
Pictured above: Screenshots from the publicly available videos showing the disturbance of the lake bottom and water column by a passing wake boat. This is just a quick example of findings from the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) Wake Study, Phase II.
“A Field Study of Recreational Powerboat Hydrodynamics and their Impacts on the Water Column and Lakebed” from the University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
The report of this long-anticipated study, which we have also referred to as SAFL Phase II, was just released this week. This research was funded in part by MLSA and many of you who are seeking answers for what is happening below the surface in our lakes during wake boat activity.
Spoiler Alert: “It is recommended that wakeboats operate in 20 ft of water or greater when in surfing mode to minimize impacts on the lake bottom.”
We invite you to review the information and attend the upcoming webinar about these findings.
YouTube Links for easier video viewing:
Malibu link -> https://youtu.be/8en97_ppJBE?si=XT7fXgJEGr6vPpAi
Nautique Paragon link -> https://youtu.be/qWK7zSGqKFI?si=BYweNWinzeGyrGPs
Webinar by SAFL on August 26 at 7 pm ET Register here for the event.
For the complete picture of the first two phases and phase III in progress, you can visit the St. Anthony Falls Lab’s Healthy Waters Initiative Site.
Want something quick to see and share?
Check out this 2-minute news segment that aired on the evening of July 30th: Fox 6: Wakesurfing lakebed impact study, University of Minnesota releases video