Wake Enhancement Info

Wake Enhancement Information

February 1, 2024

THIS IS THE ORDINANCE THAT IS IN FORCE relative to Wake Enhancement Activities.

3.0507 Wake Enhancing Operations

A. No person may use or employ on any lake in the town water sacks, ballast tanks, submersible wings or any other device which causes a boat to operate in a bow-high manner which increases or enhances the power or energy of a boat’s natural wake

B. Operation by a person of a boat on any lake in the town in an artificially bow-high manner, including wake enhancement by use of water sacks, ballast tanks, submersible wings, mechanical hydrofoils or other device, uneven loading, or operation at transition speed, to increase or enhance the power or energy of a boat’s natural wake is prohibited:

1. When less than 200 feet from:

(a) the shoreline of any lake;

(b) a posted no-wake area;

(c) swimmers;

(d) rafts or docks;

(e) boats under anchor, trolling or adrift;

(f) nonmotorized boats;

2. In waters less than fifteen (15) feet deep, including all of Boulder Lake; (emphasis added)

3. During periods of high water:

(a) More than 1313 feet above sea level for Bass Lake;

(b) More than 4 inch depth of water measured at the outflow culvert under Archibald Lake Road for Boot Lake;

(c) No specified level for Boulder Lake;

(d) This restriction will be posted on the town website and on “Local Ordinance” signs at public boat landings when in effect.

C. Operation of a motorboat at transition speed is allowed for short distances, up to 75 feet, between 100 feet and 200 feet from shore to allow the motorboat to reach planning speed.

10/24/23

As posted on the Town of Doty Website, this is the final draft of the Wake Enhancement Ordinance:

https://townofdoty.org/2023/10/24/final-draft-of-lake-ordinance/

10/2/2023

The Town of Doty will be having a Public Hearing on the proposed Wake Enhancement Ordinance on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19th at 10AM at the DOTY TOWN HALL. If you have input or opinions on the proposed ordinance, attend or submit comments to them electronically ahead of time.

This notice is posted as a courtesy to all that may be interested

Chad Nehring
Association Secretary/Treasurer

Official Link:

https://townofdoty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Public-Hearing-Boat-Ordinance-October-19-2023-1.docx

9/21/23

INFORMATION FROM THE TOWN OF DOTY

9/21/2023

Lakes Ordinances

After consideration of the comments obtained at the public hearing held over Labor Day weekend, the town board has created a proposed ordinance regarding wake enhancement activities.

The proposed ordinance will be posted on the website shortly when we post the official notice of a pubic hearing for people to comment on the changes. The public hearing will be held on October 19th at 10 am at the Doty Town Hall. (The first hearing was for the board to learn what was desired so that we could craft an ordinance. This hearing is to hear from the public about the proposed ordinance.) The town will also accept written or electronic comments – details will be specified in the notice.

The changes include:

Adding definitions related to wake enhancement activities

Prohibiting wake enhancement activities if operating <200′ from shore, swimmers, no wake areas, non powered craft. in areas with <15′ water depth or when water level is exceptionally high.

Boats with asymetrical wakes have to direct the strong side wake towards the center of the lake

Lastly, for the island on Boot Lake, a slow-no-wake of 200′ was established around that island for all water craft to protect Loon nesting sites.

The changes above are only summaries. The final draft is subject to change based on review by the town attourney, the DNR and public input at the town hearing.

The expected timeline for changes is:

October 19 – hold public hearing and then board approves final draft ordinance

November – Town sends draft ordinance and condition report to DNR. (Condition report will be posted on town website as well)

January / February – Town receives comments from DNR, makes any changes and approves final ordinance (public comment will occur at this meeting)

Spring 2024 – Town obtains signs and posts at public boat landings. Town also informs resorts and BnBs and public of changes

PRIOR INFORMATION:

PUBLIC MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 (Notes/Minutes):

https://townofdoty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/public-hearing-notes-for-website.docx

SUMMER 2023 SURVEY REQUEST:

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. RESULTS WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY.

Along with Boot and Bass Lakes, at the request of the Town of Doty we ask you to complete the following short, two question survey to gauge reaction to a possible change in boating ordinances regarding wakes greater than 2' high and within a specific distance to shore.

An elevated wake is a trail of disturbed water left by the passage of a watercraft in excess of 24”. This would apply to wake enhancement watercraft by the use of ballast, mechanical hydrofoil(s), uneven loading or operation at transition speed. Transition speed means the speed at which the boat is operating at greater than slow-no-wake speed, but not fast enough so the boat is planing.

This would NOT cause the lake to be slow-no wake nor would it prohibit motor boating or waterskiing.

Town of Doty did not request comments but if you do have comments please email boulderlakenews@gmail.com.

Survey Closed

Boulder Lake Association

IF VIOLATIONS OF WAKE ENHANCEMENT ARE OBSERVED

Wake Enhancement Information

3.0507 Wake Enhancing Operations

A. No person may use or employ on any lake in the town water sacks, ballast tanks, submersible wings or any other device which causes a boat to operate in a bow-high manner which increases or enhances the power or energy of a boat’s natural wake

1. When less than 200 feet from:

(a) the shoreline of any lake;

(b) a posted no-wake area;

(c) swimmers;

(d) rafts or docks;

(e) boats under anchor, trolling or adrift;

(f) nonmotorized boats;

2. In waters less than fifteen (15) feet deep, including all of Boulder Lake; (emphasis added)

3. During periods of high water:

(a) More than 1313 feet above sea level for Bass Lake;

(b) More than 4 inch depth of water measured at the outflow culvert under Archibald Lake Road for Boot Lake;

(c) No specified level for Boulder Lake;

(d) This restriction will be posted on the town website and on “Local Ordinance” signs at public boat landings when in effect.

C. Operation of a motorboat at transition speed is allowed for short distances, up to 75 feet, between 100 feet and 200 feet from shore to allow the motorboat to reach planning speed.

IF VIOLATIONS OF WAKE ENHANCEMENT ARE OBSERVED

Wake Enhancement Information

3.0507 Wake Enhancing Operations

A. No person may use or employ on any lake in the town water sacks, ballast tanks, submersible wings or any other device which causes a boat to operate in a bow-high manner which increases or enhances the power or energy of a boat’s natural wake

1. When less than 200 feet from:

(a) the shoreline of any lake;

(b) a posted no-wake area;

(c) swimmers;

(d) rafts or docks;

(e) boats under anchor, trolling or adrift;

(f) nonmotorized boats;

2. In waters less than fifteen (15) feet deep, including all of Boulder Lake; (emphasis added)

3. During periods of high water:

(a) More than 1313 feet above sea level for Bass Lake;

(b) More than 4 inch depth of water measured at the outflow culvert under Archibald Lake Road for Boot Lake;

(c) No specified level for Boulder Lake;

(d) This restriction will be posted on the town website and on “Local Ordinance” signs at public boat landings when in effect.

C. Operation of a motorboat at transition speed is allowed for short distances, up to 75 feet, between 100 feet and 200 feet from shore to allow the motorboat to reach planning speed.

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