The need for appropriate regulation of enhanced wakes has generated extensive activity and debate around Wisconsin the last couple years. The goal is to reduce environmental and safety impacts without infringing unnecessarily on the rights of those who enjoy wake sports. Meanwhile, wake boats are becoming more powerful and more common.
A coalition of environmental groups focused on protecting Wisconsin’s lakes was announced in August 2024 by five statewide organizations. The founding members of the coalition are the Wisconsin Lakes Association, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Lakes At Stake Wisconsin, Last Wilderness Alliance, and Wisconsin’s Green Fire. WCLRA has joined the coalition along with numerous other water-protection organizations, anglers, advocates for local control, lake property landowners, sailors, and people concerned with spreading invasive species in ballast water.
The coalition’s principles include:
- 700 ft. from shore – Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur at least 700’ from any shoreline.
- 30-ft. depth – Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur in water depths of no less than 30’.
- Prevent the transfer of invasive species in ballast tanks – Boats moving from lake-to-lake must have proof of decontaminated ballast tanks before entering lakes.
- Local control – Local municipalities’ existing right to enact and maintain local ordinances that are more restrictive than these state minimums shall be preserved.
One coalition member, the Last Wilderness Alliance (LWA), is assisting Wisconsin towns and their lake organizations with the process of developing local ordinances to regulate enhanced wakes. LWA has developed a standard template that local governments can use to reduce the work involved. Having uniform ordinances around the state avoids the confusion that could be caused by implementation of ordinances with vastly different language. Several towns and lake organizations in Washburn County have received assistance from LWA volunteers.
The Town of Scott in Burnett County passed an ordinance on November 11, 2024, prohibiting wake enhancement on all of the lakes in their Town. Because more than 60% of the shorelines of both McKenzie Lake (aka Big McKenzie) and Middle McKenzie Lake are within the Town of Scott, all of Big McKenzie Lake and Middle McKenzie Lake, including the parts in Washburn County, are subject to that ordinance. The McKenzie Lakes Association fully supports the new ordinance.
State legislators are also discussing the impacts of enhanced wakes and considering what type of regulations would be most appropriate and effective. It would not be surprising to see new legislation proposed in 2025. But at this time nobody knows what will be proposed or the likelihood of passage.
WCLRA will continue to monitor these developments and express its opinions as appropriate. If you have questions or comments on this topic, contact Cathie Erickson at CathieErickson@gmail.com.
