Because of Lily Lake’s smaller size and shallow depth, logically our lake would not be ideal for wake boats based on the information listed below and would be better suited for larger inland lakes such as Houghton or Higgins Lake.
Studies have found Wake Boats have a significant negative environmental impact on smaller inland lakes, because:
- The larger wake they produce cause greater erosion on shorelines compared to other motorboats, and potentially significant damage to property, docks, docked boats or landscaped shorelines.
- Propellers and large wakes can also disturb nesting birds along the shore, churn up sediment from the bottom of the lake, and continually disturb the bottom of shallow lakes which imperils natural aquatic plants, insects, fish, and microscopic life.
- This turbulence can also churn up nutrients such as phosphorus that could increase algae growth.
- Due to their larger wake, wake boats present significant safely hazards to other boaters, swimmers and even people resting or sitting on or in moored boats, swim rafts and docks. It is not uncommon for the wave from a wake boat to cause a person to fall down on or fall off of a dock or moored boat, or even break boat mooring lines.
The findings from these studies were taken from studies conducted in Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia, and performed on much larger bodies of water than Lily Lake. As a result, you would have to assume the impact on our smaller lake would be magnified considerably.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recommends that Wake Boaters stay at least 150 feet from other vessels, swimming areas, anglers, etc.; and should stay in deeper water. Due to the size of Lily Lake, it would not lend itself for Wake Boaters to be able to easily follow these recommendations.
Click here and here for PDF attachments of two of the studies where the information above is from, and additional sources of information can be found in the links below . . .
https://mymlsa.org/wake-boats-
rendering-damage-to-natural- shoreline-and-docks/ https://mymlsa.org/the-killer-
bees-appear-to-be-winning-an- update-on-wake-boats/ The battle over ‘wakesurfing’ has made its way to the Minnesota Legislature | MinnPost
PLM Newsletter Spring 2021
PLM Water Testing
PLM has advised that they will be out on Lily Lake for a water quality check on April 27th.
Lily Lake
Frostbite Fest is not Dead
Gathering at Saxton’s Point on Saturday, Feb 20th, from 11-3 for a bit of Winter Fun. There will be live music, a skating rink (bring your skates!), sled paths, a few games for kids, hot cocoa, a bonfire, and some refreshments.
Free Lake Webinar Series
The 2021 Lake Conservation FREE Webinar Series was just announced by the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership. A whole year of online presentations about lakes might interest some of you!
Ice it’s reported to be much thinner than normal this year.
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-thin-ice-get-used-it-climate-experts-say?utm_source=Bridge+Michigan&utm_campaign=2c2381d6ab-Bridge+Enviro+Watch+11%2F19%2F20_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c64a28dd5a-2c2381d6ab-82475004
Free Natural Shoreline Conference
Congrats to Gail Garrity!
. . . the new Greenwood Twp Representative for the Lily Lake Assessment Board – along with Brownwyn Asplund, the new County Commissioner for our district.
Gail replaces Linda Bailow. We would like to thank Linda for her service to Lily Lake and to Greenwood Township!
Bronwyn replaces Dave Hoefling. We appreciate Dave’s dedication to his role as both County Commissioner and on the Lake Board and are grateful for his kind and considerate nature.