NASBLA Public Library

Wisconsin's Green Fire examines the effects of wake boats on lake ecosystem health with this updated literature review based on peer-reviewed research, published reports, and personal communications with topical experts. We have summarized the current research findings and acknowledge that future studies will improve understanding and build upon our conclusions.

While all motorized boats can impact lake ecosystems, our work suggests that wake boats are causing profound ecological issues for lakes. Research on wake boats has primarily focused on the effects of waves on shorelines, deep-reaching propeller turbulence, and the spread of aquatic invasive species. Throughout this document, wakes generated for recreational activities such as wakeboarding or wakesurfing will be referred to as “recreational wakes.”