Boat wake concerns grow on Lake Minnetonka

It is becoming one of the hottest summer activities on Minnesota lakes and rivers.

Wake surfing behind deep hulled boats designed to throw big water, where surfers ride without a tow rope.

But the popularity is bringing about concern.

"There has been a very significant disruption of other recreational uses on the small bays of Lake Minnetonka," John Bendt shared.

Bendt has lived on a Maxwell Bay for 35 years. He says the wake surf boats love the smaller bays that aren’t as busy.

But he says they are disrupting the balance.

"We have been criticized that we are trying to ban an activity, we’re not trying to ban an activity we just want to restore balance," Bendt said.

Citizens for Sharing Lake Minnetonka has a petition with two requests: noise controls and time slots for when the boats can operate in smaller bays.

Bendt says that will allow predictable times for other recreation like paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming.

"We’re proposing no-wake surfing before noon, only in the smaller bays where the disruption is occurring," he said.

Safe Wakes for Minnesota Lakes calls it the next big issues for our waterways, and has gotten inquiries from states around the country.

The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District says it has heard from both sides of this issue. The conservation district issued the following statement, "Due to the complexity of the wake topic and timing of available information, the listening process will likely occur over several months…. to determine further next steps, if any."

The University of Minnesota is conducting a study looking at the impact of these boats to the lakes, and is expected to have some preliminary data early next year.

The legislature discussed a 200 foot from shore barrier for wake boats last session, but it did not pass. Experts say this issue will likely come up again once lawmakers are back in St. Paul in January.