MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Underwater turbulence from wakesurfing can "adversely" impact Minnesota’s lakes, according to a highly anticipated study by the University of Minnesota.

Wake boats and the environment

What we know:

While the study acknowledges that all boats have the potential to damage aquatic vegetation, researchers recommend that wake boats should only operate in "surfing mode" on lakes where the water depth is 20 feet or greater to minimize impacts on the lakebed.

Researchers with the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory conducted the multi-year study on Lake Minnetonka, using a variety of powerboats, underwater sensors and cameras.

" It's significant," said Jeff Marr, the principal investigator of the research. "Boats are getting bigger, more powerful in the state, and so that

See Full Page