Enhanced Wakes Position Statement

GCOLA recognizes the popularity of wake surfing activity on the Gull Lake Chain. We support this sport and our goal of helping ensure the lakes remain healthy by minimizing:

• shoreline erosion and water quality degradation, and,
• lakebed disruption to plants and fish spawning beds, and the re-suspension of lake bottom sediments.

By working together and following these practices, we can ensure the Gull Lake Chain remains a place where recreation and conservation go hand in hand.

• We support science-based guidelines, informed by leading research from the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, that help balance recreation with lake stewardship. These include:
  • Wake surfing at least 500 feet from shore to reduce the wave energy impact on shorelines to the same level as a non-wake surf watercraft. Phase I

• • Operating in water depths of at least 20 feet to minimize subsurface ecological impact Phase II
• We support the use of lake maps to aid wake boat operators to locate safe wake surfing zones as defined by distance from shore and water depth