Wakeboat operation has become a controversial topic here in Seven Lakes. While they have been banned for operation on Lake Sequoia, the SLWLA still allows operation of these boats and residents have raised concerns forming a website, http://www.LakeAumanWatch.com (LAW).
SLN has been asked to publish articles by the Sierra Club regarding their use by residents of Seven Lakes West. At the Sierra Club, our tagline mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
So we’re sensitive to the need for people to keep enjoying and connecting with our world, while at the same time protecting it for future generations.
Most boats are able to be operated safely. However, one type of vessel, the wake boat, can be exceptionally destructive if operated without care. Tanks at the back of these boats take on thousands of pounds of lake water to increase their weight and cause them to ride bow-up and stern-down. This design creates large wakes so that people can surf behind the boats without being tethered to them.
Just one pass of a wake boat can be devastating to the ecosystem. Unfortunately, these boats often make multiple passes in the same area, causing long-lasting damage.
When there isn’t enough distance on a lake or river to dissipate these wakes, the boats cause shoreline erosion. They also damage docks, swamp other boats, endanger swimmers, and destroy waterfowl nesting sites.
Additionally, the propwash points downward at such an angle that it can disturb the lake bottom at depths 16’ or more. This action reintroduces sequestered contaminates such as phosphorus and nitrates into the water column and results in algae blooms. It uproots native plants and destroys fish nesting sites.
Posted BY: SevenLakesNewsletter.com
