Long Lake Association

Wakesurf Boating

Recommended Wakesurf Boat Zones on Long Lake

Map source: Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates
(zone dimensions are estimated)

University of Minnesota Research Study

In 2020, the University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory established the Healthy Waters Initiative to conduct research into the potential impacts of recreational powerboats on lake shorelines and lake bottoms. The Healthy Waters Initiative is an ongoing study with three phases.

In February 2022, the Phase I report was published. This phase studied and characterized the height, energy and power of wake waves created by wakesurf boats and other recreational powerboats.

The Phase I study determined the following:

  • When researchers compared the wake waves of the four boats tested in the study — two wakesurf boats and two typical recreational boats used for waterskiing and other towing sports — the data indicated that wakesurf boats require distances greater than 500 feet from shoreline/docks and other boats to decrease their wake wave characteristics to levels similar to the non-wakesurf boats.
  • The suggested distance from shoreline/docks for wakesurf boats is more than twice the 200 feet currently recommended for common recreational boats.
  • Under both slow and fast speed conditions, the wakesurf boats produced the largest waves in terms of height, energy and power when compared to the non-wakesurf boats.
  • Larger, more energetic waves need to travel a greater distance to decrease in wave height, energy and power.

The full Phase I report may be viewed and downloaded at:  
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/226190

In July 2025, the Phase II report was published. This phase expanded to investigate and measure the impacts of a variety of recreational powerboats in motion. The study focused on bow and stern waves, transverse waves, propeller wash, engine exhaust gases and other phenomena produced by the boats, and examined how these phenomena impact the lakebed below when the boat operates in different water depths and in different modes.

The Phase II study determined the following:

  • When operating in planing mode (fast cruising), recreational powerboats should operate in a water depth of 10 feet or greater to minimize impacts on the lakebed. 
  • When operating in sustained displacement mode (slow cruising), recreational powerboats should operate in a water depth of 10 feet or greater to minimize impacts on the lakebed. 
  • For most recreational boat users, traveling in waters less than 10 feet deep is unavoidable (such as going through channels, and getting to and from boat lifts and docks). In these scenarios, it is recommended to go as slow as possible to minimize the bow and stern waves. 
  • Wakesurf boats should operate in a water depth of 20 feet or greater when in surfing mode to minimize impacts on the lakebed. 
  • All boats have the potential to damage aquatic vegetation. The depth recommendations are specified relative to the lakebed but could also be relative to the top of submerged vegetation. In general, boats should avoid areas of the lake with aquatic vegetation to minimize damage. 

The following Phase II study information is available:

Phase III of the Healthy Waters Initiative is in progress and is expected to be completed in 2026. This phase focuses on characterizing the similarities and differences between wind-generated waves — including storm waves — and boat-generated waves. The study will document the characteristics of boat and wind waves, and how they are linked to lake bottom characteristics, shorelines and water quality changes.

Process to Regulate Surface Water Activities and Enhanced Wakes

Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations Webinar Presentation — April 16, 2025

Lake Advocates in Minnesota

Wake Surfing — A Threat to Our Lakes
(Video by Last Wilderness Alliance in Wisconsin)

Shore-to-Shore Distances on Long Lake

Base map source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Lake widths are estimated using the map scale.

Long Lake width map.