Ridiculous "No Wake" Declaration

[Just Wonderin]

Originally Posted by Sparrow Hawk

I also was out this weekend on my boat (28 foot cruiser). I certainly followed the rules and feel I had a minimal impact on the environment. However, after reading all the posts on this site I am amazed at the amount of whinning that is going on about shoreline erosion. Am I wrong or are these the same folks that have cut down the majority of the trees along the shoreline and planted lawns? Is it me or am I off base?

We have an island cottage. Our lot was left natural. We have no planted lawn and did not cut down our trees. Our shoreline is lined with blueberry bushes. Our shoreline has taken a beating. As a matter of fact, a large bush, probably 4 feet in diameter, floated past our place this weekend, roots, soil, moss and all. We pulled it out of the lake and tried to replant it on land.

I realize that if you are boating and following the rules (thank you) you may not realize what thousands of wakes actually do to a shoreline (a single boat creates quite a few, not just one). If it really didn't create a problem none of us would be "whining". I haven't heard any shorefront owner saying that it is not a problem, only boaters passing by.

[Lake Lady 6]

There may be some of the McMansions that cut down many trees due to the size of their new home - they had to comply with the DES rules to do this.

As an owner of a 28' cruiser you should be aware that this type of boat throws a huge wake, long after you have passed. This is probably due to the design but this past weekend I did not witness many "cruiser/Carver" type boats on the lake - the few that did pass less than 600' from shore were long gone when the wake rolled in and hit our wall, bouncing over and causing erosion behind the wall. Normally the lake is about 4 - 5' from the wall. The only solution to minimize shorefront damage until the lake is at normal level is a NWZ on the entire lake for weekends. We have lived with this before and it should work again.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Lake Lady 6

There may be some of the McMansions that cut down many trees due to the size of their new home - they had to comply with the DES rules to do this.

As an owner of a 28' cruiser you should be aware that this type of boat throws a huge wake, long after you have passed. This is probably due to the design but this past weekend I did not witness many "cruiser/Carver" type boats on the lake - the few that did pass less than 600' from shore were long gone when the wake rolled in and hit our wall, bouncing over and causing erosion behind the wall. Normally the lake is about 4 - 5' from the wall. The only solution to minimize shorefront damage until the lake is at normal level is a NWZ on the entire lake for weekends. We have lived with this before and it should work again.

The rules allow trees and shrubs to be removed and they allow wakes to be generated. Even when everyone complies with the law, bad things happen.

Not sure allowing big wakes during the week is a good idea. I think a lake wide NWZ all the time until the water subsides is better. Bet it won't happen though.