Information on Enhanced Wakes
(This site is supported by concerned citizens NOT by the Waupaca Chain O'Lakes Association )
(Just a few of the concerned citizens signed their names to the "Respect the Rules" letter - see below)
(This site is supported by concerned citizens NOT by the Waupaca Chain O'Lakes Association )
(Just a few of the concerned citizens signed their names to the "Respect the Rules" letter - see below)
On Tuesday July 23, 2024 the Towns of Dayton and Farmington unanimously approved an ordinance to prohibit enhanced wakes on the Long, Columbia, Round, and Rainbow lakes on the Waupaca Chain O'Lakes. On Thursday July 25th, 2024 the Town of Dayton also unanimously approved the ordinance for Stratton Lake, and the Towns of Dayton and Lind unanimously approved the ordinance for Spencer Lake. The ordinance went into effect immediately and signs have been posted at all boat landings. The ordinance that was approved can be found here.
The ordinances were put in place to protect our natural resources and ensure the safety and enjoyment of all who use our lakes.
Thankfully the majority of enhanced wake enthusiasts are abiding by the law, but there are a few that have decided to ignore the ordinance (see the following).
Note there are a few consistent offenders
(click on the down arrow)
Recently, the Towns of Dayton, Farmington and Lind passed ordinances prohibiting enhanced wakes on our lakes. Safety, lake usurpation and environmental protection were paramount concerns expressed in the hearings leading up to the ordinance. Enhanced wakes deny others use of the lakes. An overwhelming majority of the participants told the Towns that they could not engage in other water activities, such as fishing, swimming and paddle sports, along side enhanced wakes
We are delighted to see, in the first days following enactment, the vast majority of wake surf boat owners are complying with the new ordinance. We are also grateful for the positive feedback that we’ve received. Sadly, a small fraction has chosen to deliberately violate the ordinance.
We call for everyone to comply with the new ordinances.
Character is defined by how we act, especially when no one is watching. It is about holding ourselves accountable. We do not get to pick and choose the laws we comply with based on personal preference. In the case of this ordinance, the devices and methods that produce enhanced wakes are prohibited. Examples include the use of water sacks, ballast tanks and operation in an artificially bow-high manner. It all comes down to integrity - operating the boats within the letter and spirit of the ordinance.
We have received a few questions about the sheriff’s enforcement of the new ordinance. The water patrol has never been obligated to enforce any local ordinance. They are only bound to enforce state law. For decades, we’ve complied with local water ski hours without consistent enforcement. The same must be true for the new ordinance. Our community has always prided itself on voluntary compliance with local laws. This issue is not about playing a game of "cat and mouse" with law enforcement. It's not about fines and fees. It is fundamentally about respecting the law and the decisions made by our town officials, who represent the collective will of our residents.
The debate over enhanced wakes on our lakes has been settled by our Towns’ leadership after a thorough process. The ordinance reflects the consensus of our community, the vast majority of whom supported this regulation. This is now about respect for the rules and for each other. It is about each of our responsibilities to our neighbors and the community.
Please document and report any nonemergency ordinance violations to the Chain ‘O Lakes Association by following this LINK
If you endorse this letter and would like your name added, please reply to this email or to wcolakes@gmail.com
Russ & Jan Behnke
Joe Kuhn & Tami Farber
Brian & Cheryl Fielkow
Paul & Julie Mazzoleni
Dan & Fawn Johnson
Tim Kramer
Mark Kunstman
Linda Peterson
Tom Kalinosky
Casey & Deb Plunkett
Mike & Kathy Sedivy
Dennis Rocheleau
William Morgan
Steve Staton
Aleta & Brian Kaplan
Bill and Kristin Nussdorfer
Linda Peterson
Georgia Calvo
Lowell & Mary Peterson
Kitty O’Callaghan
Dan Mallow
Meredee Plunkett
Peggy Kuehmsted Reitz
Dennis & Karen Christofferson
Kathy Marshall
Tom Rupnow
Dale W. & Philomena Fletcher
M. Plodwich
Randy and Dixie Edge
Dave & Wendy Sellier
John Abb
Clare Cronce
Jim and Joan McDermott
Paula Van Eperen
Phil and Kay Ziegler
Dennis & Sharon Peterson
Sue Ellis
Dan & Vicki Rupnow
Christy Hammond
Tom Kalinosky
Mike & Dawn Capizzi
Scott Hansen
Comments from the petition
(click on the down arrows)
"I volunteer at King and go out with the Vets on afternoon cruises. We have encountered waves from enhanced wakes that strongly rock the heavy boat loaded with vets in wheelchairs causing water over the bow. In one incident, we were going into Round Lake where an enhanced wake boat was being used to surf and luckily, the driver was able to maneuver it around although rocking heavily and we were concerned about tipping wheelchairs. He made the comment that when a wake surfing boat was out, no one else could use the lake"
"We used to own a wake surf boat and recently sold it. We saw first hand the immensity of the waves and how they destroyed our shoreline. Long Lake is a narrow lake and not nearly as big as Rainbow. The wave destruction and the sucking up of the bottom is very powerful. We saw it first hand. This is not something you would want in such a narrow lake . Also, it was getting unsafe to do other boating activities because the boat churned up such large waves that paddle boarding and kayaking were getting hard to do. We sold because of these reasons. Please protect these beautiful lakes . In just a few years you will see the damage and it wiull be too late. As our representatives, please respect these lakes and their beauty."
"Last summer on Long Lake I had the unfortunate experience of slowly hitting a wake from a wake boat. That wake went over the front of my 26 foot pontoon boat and it stopped at about the midway point of my boat. I was completely surprised by the power of that wake with me only going a couple of miles an hour."
"The townships of Dayton and Farmington have an obligation to protect the natural resources located within their boundaries. Sitting of the sidelines and taking no action, allowing for the continued environmental degradation of the Chain O'Lakes, is morally indefensible. The safety and diminished enjoyment of the lakes by all other users can not be overstated. If as the Chairman or as a supervisor, you are unwilling to make time to understand the very real issues effecting the Chain, you have no right holding public office and should step down. We are property owners on Spencer Lake. In 2022 and 2023 we spent significant time and money to repair the shoreline, and damage continued due to large wakes. Damage continued to occur."
"I am against the use of wake enhancing devices and methods on the chain o lakes, stratton and spencer lakes due to the extreme detrimental and safety concerns that use presents to my children, grandchildren, my husband, myself and all others who use these lakes safely. In addition, these water enhancing devices create environmental concerns: damage to shorelines, damage to the habitats of lake animals resulting in the elimination of these animals. These lakes are too small for wake enhancing devices."
"We have a home on Miner Lake. Over the last two years we have seen destruction from Wake boaters on ski lakes, both environmentally and safety. It's basically frightening to be on the ski lakes these days - we stay away or risk our own safety. It's important for the Town of Dayton to take up the charge on this. it's their job to keep the community safe and to make sure our lakes remain healthy. The data is there, they can't be afraid to stand strong and do the right thing. These lakes are too small for this type of activity. just too small - it's not personal it's fact and this issue is not going away. We trust this board will stand by the science and make the decision for this community to ban this activity. If they don't ban it, it looks like they're simply afraid of a few wealthy folks with a Lawyer - the facts are there to support the need for the ban. again, it's not political, its not personal"
"I bought an Air Nautique wake enhancing boat during the pandemic and sold it a year later after realizing how damaging and dangerous these boats are in smaller lakes like we have on the chain. I have a home on Long Lake on the chain. These boats belong only on very large lakes like Winnebago. Banning these boats on the chain is a must."
"My husband was injured on a local Chain lake due to wakes. Had to have his hamstring surgically repaired"
"It’s impossible to go tubing or skiing with these boats on the lake, it’s way too dangerous."
"Wake surfing can be very dangerous to other lake users. I was once nearly run over by a wake surf boat operating in a stern down condition, preventing the driver from seeing me. She could not see over her bow. I had to stand up in my canoe and wave my paddle over my head to allow her to see me. Fortunately, she finally saw me and turned away at the last minute"
"I have been a life long resident in Waupaca and have seen the destruction created by the larger wave from big boats. The fish habitat has been damaged to reduce the fish population. I have done shore repair for not only my property but many friends over the years due to the damage by large waves. The larger boats over the years have made it less safe to boat and this needs to be limited on these beautiful lakes. These lakes are too small for the larger boats and artificial wakes."
"Really? On these miniature lakes? Get a grip, people, and put your big toys on the truly Great Lakes"
"Extend skiing hours to cut down on congestion during busy times."
"This will significantly decrease property values down the road & create a loophole for other restrictions to be passed that lake owners should be concerned about."
"I would like to find a solution that doesn’t involve banning a certain demographic of lake users, 200ft from shore, expand the ski hours to prevent congestion, educate boat operators on safe operation of boats in wave conditions. I fear that these rules that are being pushed are diminishing the value of lake properties and the enjoyment for all. Every study that is provided is completely one sided."
"A better option is to expand water ski hours to reduce congestion. Compromise and alter rules to operate wake enhanced boats 200 ft from shore instead of complete ban."
"My permanent residence is on Long Lake. I believe wake boats are being inappropriately singled out. I believe we need to discuss comprehensive solutions to congestion on the lakes with parties that have differing views."
"Farmington already mishandled this issue so Dayton should take note of that debacle. This issue needs to be decided at the State level. Much more appropriate than towns across the state coming up with their own versions that will likely face legal challenge. If you really want to reduce congestion on the Chain, eliminate ski hours! What a foolish idea. Let’s force every skier, tuber, and surfer to all be on the water at the same time between 10 and 2. That is a failed regulation."
Should the world go on, or be put on hold just for me?
Should my personal entertainment adversely affect so many others to cause them harm?
Should my personal entertainment so adversely affect persons around me to cost them their hard earned money because I feel I have the right?
Should my personal entertainment push all logic and proven facts aside just because it’s my right to do what I want?
Just because technology has advanced for water sports so as to make recreational water skiing a “more fun” event doesn’t mean that the “new technology” can be performed wherever there is water that a boat can float on!
There is nothing wrong with “wake boarding/surfing” but there are right and wrong places for wakeboarding/surfing enthusiasts to perform the sport!
Responsible boating starts with the boat captain and all safety factors should be looked at and taken into consideration. That includes human factors, shoreline factors, and ecological factors.
If the facts are correct about the depth and size of a lake that are needed to safely and responsibly perform “wakeboarding/surfing” then there could not be a time set aside for the sport on any lake that is just not deep enough or big enough.
I understand that people want to be able to use or operate the craft they have purchased. But the craft needs to be compatible with ALL of its surroundings. Just as if one were to purchase the type of vehicle you would run on a track or raceway. You wouldn/t expect it to be accepted to operate that vehicle on the open roadways Just the same, seaplanes are not allowed to operate on just any lake just because they can float, take off, and land on water.
Scott Hansen - avid fisherman and water sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time on the Waupaca Chain O’Lakes