US EditionIn new U of M study, questions resurface over wakesurfing’s impact on Minnesota lakes
MINNESOTA, JUL 29 – Researchers found wakesurfing in water less than 20 feet deep stirs sediment that clouds lakes and may harm ecosystems, prompting calls for statewide restrictions in Minnesota.
- A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota in 2025 raised concerns about the environmental effects of wakesurfing on local lakes, particularly regarding sediment disruption in shallow areas.
- The study references a 2022 report from St. Anthony Falls Lab that advises wake boats maintain a distance of at least 500 feet from the shoreline to reduce environmental harm, a recommendation that has been challenged by the boating industry, which considers the report unreliable.
- Researchers Jeff Marr and Andy Riesgraf explained the strong waves from wake boats stir up sediment in depths of 9 to 14 feet, reducing water clarity and potentially affecting lake health.
- Jeff Marr, lead researcher on the study, expressed a desire for it to encourage broader reflection on the issue, while industry representatives like Adam Fletcher highlight the lack of sufficient data to justify new regulations and point to the social benefits of wakesurfing.
- The findings may prompt renewed calls for statewide wakesurfing restrictions, though education and etiquette remain advocated solutions to manage lake use conflicts.
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In new U study, questions resurface over wakesurfing’s impact on Minnesota lakes - Austin Daily Herald
By Kirsti Marohn MPR News/90.1 FM For some Minnesotans, it’s the ideal way to spend a summer day on the lake: wakesurfing a perfectly curled wave behind a powerboat with no worries of getting tangled in a tow rope or breaking ribs in a wipeout. Others see the sport as a menace — powerful wake boats generating strong waves that pound shorelines, pummel lake bottoms and threaten the health of Minnesota lakes. Newly released research from the Unive…
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In new U of M study, questions resurface over wakesurfing’s impact on Minnesota lakes
MINNEAPOLIS — For some Minnesotans, it’s the ideal way to spend a summer day on the lake: wakesurfing a perfectly curled wave behind a powerboat with no worries of getting tangled in a tow rope or breaking ribs in a wipeout. Others see the sport as a menace — powerful wake boats generating strong waves that pound shorelines, pummel lake bottoms and threaten the health of Minnesota lakes. Newly released research from the University of Minnesota w…
In new U study, questions resurface over wakesurfing’s impact on Minnesota lakes
Newly released University of Minnesota research finds wakesurfing in water that’s too shallow can damage lake quality. The study could revive calls for statewide restrictions and may churn the debate over the state’s changing lake culture.
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