Study Done by University of Minnesota Recommends Wake Boats Stay in Deeper Waters When Wake Surfing

Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) In a new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota are recommending wake boats stay in deeper waters when wake surfing to avoid any harm to lake bottoms and water quality.

According to Danielle Kaeding with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the findings are part of a three-phase study by researchers at the university’s St. Anthony Falls Lab.

The second phase of the study examined what happened to the lake bed when recreational powerboats operated at varying speeds and depths in two bays of Lake Minnetonka during 2022 and 2023.

The study tested seven boat models that included five typical recreational boats and two wake boats in common modes of operation at four different depths. For typical recreational boats, researchers tested models at slower cruising speeds and faster planing speeds.

They tested the wake boats at faster planing speeds and slower speeds at 10-12 miles per hour that are ideal for creating large waves for surfing. The study found all boats could disturb the lake bed at shallower depths.

Even so, the study’s co-author and researcher, Andy Riesgraf, found wake boats operating in surfing mode caused significant disturbance to the lake bottom at 9 and 14 feet.

“We’re finding you need to be in deeper water to minimize impacts to the lake bottom, which is 20 feet or more,” Riesgraf said. For other recreational powerboats, the study recommended they should stay in 10 feet of water or more when operating at slower or faster speeds to reduce impacts to the lake bed.

In shallow waters at docks or boat landings, Riesgraf said they should go as slow as possible. Wake boats are designed to enhance a boat’s wake through the use of ballast tanks or other design features, creating large waves that people can surf.

As they’ve grown in popularity, supporters have promoted wake surfing as fun and not as harsh on the body as other water sports like skiing. But opponents say the boats interfere with other lake users and cause environmental harm.

Jeff Meessmann, a director with the Last Wilderness Alliance, called the study’s findings credible and pointed to underwater footage collected by researchers that shows the boats are essentially “blowing up the bottom of the lake.”

“It’s very concerning to me and to everybody that wants to protect our lakes,” Meessmann said. “These boats are damaging our lakes, period.” Lee Gatts, vice president of government affairs for the Water Sports Industry Association, downplayed the study’s findings in a statement.

“The science has consistently shown that impacts on shorelines is minimal when done at least 200 feet from shore and 10 feet deep, and because this years-delayed report relies on outdated data that fails to account for modern technology that reduces disruption from wake boats on shorelines and lake beds, we encourage policymakers to review the full body of science, which supports both environmental stewardship and recreational access for Wisconsin families,” Gatts wrote.

Riesgraf said researchers stand by their findings.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.