The thrill and ease of wake surfing have made it a popular pastime on lakes across the U.S., especially in states like Wisconsin, where wake boats are widely used. Over the past decade, its popularity has surged, becoming a favorite water sport for many, but this rise has raised concerns about negative effects on lake ecosystems, including shoreline erosion and disruption of aquatic habitats.
Wakesurfing is a water sport where a person rides the wave created by a boat. The rider starts by holding a rope to get balanced on the board, but once they’re stable, they let go and surf the wave behind the boat. The boat moves slowly and is designed to make bigger waves, allowing the rider to surf without needing to be pulled by the rope.
Blue Spring Lake is a 136-acre lake located in Jefferson County. And, on this small lake in the small Village of Palmyra (population less than 2,000) these powerboats are pitting neighbors against each other. With a mean depth of just seven feet, wake boat critics say Blue Spring Lake is especially vulnerable to the slow, plowing speeds typically associated with wake surfing, which requires a boat to operate with its bow pointed up. At a meeting of the Blue Spring Lake Management District, more than half of those who spoke, however, expressed concern for the lake’s ecological health.
This water war is being waged across the state as more people become concerned with the negative impact these boats have on the lakes. 31 Wisconsin communities now have ordinances restricting “artificial wake enhancement.” Mequon and Thiensville were the first, passing restrictions in 2009 along the Milwaukee River, banning boats from creating wakes by operating in a “bow-high manner” or at “transition speed,” which is key for wakesurfing.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only five such ordinances existed. From 2021 to 2023, 10 more were passed, and in 2024, 16 additional communities imposed restrictions. These 31 ordinances now affect nearly 200 lakes across the state.