This story first appeared in our sister publication, Walworth County Community News.
WHITEWATER — A growing debate over the use of wake boats is creating divisions within Wisconsin’s lake communities as the summer boating season approaches.
These specialized boats, designed to generate large wakes for surfing and wakeboarding without a tow rope, are lauded by enthusiasts but increasingly criticized by lakefront property owners, conservationists, and other recreational users.
Users of Whitewater and Rice lakes in Walworth County will be the latest to wade into the controversy when they appear on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at a public hearing regarding a proposed ordinance to ban the practice. (MEETING AGENDA)
The central point of contention revolves around the environmental impact of the large waves produced by wake boats.
Critics argue that these powerful wakes contribute to significant shoreline erosion, stir up bottom sediments that can harm water quality and aquatic habitats, and damage or destroy native aquatic plant life.
Conversely, wake boat operators and industry representatives maintain that the activity can be enjoyed responsibly.
In a letter to the editor of Walworth County Community News, Whitewater Lake resident argues Claudia Bellinger argues the negative impacts are being over blown.
“Water quality on Whitewater Lake has improved since 2017 as is evidenced in the Whitewater Rice Lakes Management District study in 2023,” Bellinger writes.
“Shoreline erosion research consistently shows that the primary drivers are natural and environmental factors, such as ice movement, runoff, fluctuating lake levels, natural wave action, and shoreline development, not boat wakes,” according to Bellinger. (READ BELLINGER’S LETTER HERE)
But other lake property owners have been pushing local officials to enact a ban.
The proposed ordinance would ban boaters whom, “use or employ ballast tanks, ballast bags, fins or similar devices to cause a boat to operate in a bow-high manner or which increases or enhances a boat’s wake.”
The ordinance would not impact water skiing, tubing or wake boarding employing a tow rope. (READ THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE HERE)
At the meeting May 22, the board will here testimony on restricting artificial wake enhancements on Whitewater and Rice Lakes within the Town of Whitewater and Town of Richmond. (AGENDA)
Then the public will have a chance to weigh in during the public comment portion of the meeting.
