KENT, Conn.—The issue of wake boats on Lake Waramaug recently came before the Board of Selectmen as stakeholders around the lake expressed their opinions about the impact that the waves the boats produce have on the ecology and safety of neighboring property owners.
Last year, the three towns neighboring the lake—Washington, Warren and Kent —commissioned a report from Terra Vigilis through the Lake Waramaug Interlocal Commission that found that wake boats produce waves twice as high as those produced by ski boats. The enhanced waves are desirable for those who like simulated surfing.
To reduce the impact on the shore to the same level as a ski boat, these vessels would have to operate at least 500 feet from shore, according to Terra Vigilis.
At the same time, the downwash from the propellers is associated with nutrient release, bottom “scrubbing” damage, and related unseen impacts from powerful wave energy, the report said. Shallower lakes, less than 20 feet in depth, show evidence of large wave impact. Lake Waramaug averages 20 feet in depth with deeper pockets.
The Lake Waramaug Task Force, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the ecology and water quality of the lake, recommends that boats producing large waves voluntarily operate at least 300 feet from shores and in depths of 20 feet or more to minimize potential harm, although some are calling for a wake boat free zone within 200 feet of the shore.
The Lake Waramaug Friends, a separate group, commissioned a second study from Water Environment Consultants and suggests a voluntary exclusion zone of at least 200 feet from shore with enhanced wake activities only in the center of the lake.
The only regulations actually in effect, however, come from the state and allow wake boats within 100 feet of shore.
Keith Angell, a longtime Washington resident, licensed engineer, and chairman of the Lake Waramaug Friends, appeared before the Kent selectmen to share some key findings of the studies. He admitted that the issue of wake boats on the lake is “emotional” for residents.
He noted that he has seen “every kind of boat on the lake” over the past seven decades and referred to the deterioration of the water quality in the lake over early decades. Starting in the 1970s, successful efforts began to rehabilitate the body of water.
He said the Friends are trying to provide perspective on the impact of the boats and engaged Water Environment Consultants to assess the effect of larger wakes on the lake.
“WEC performed many studies of heavier boats that produce larger wakes,” he said. “We all want to be mindful of safety issues and the geology of our lake.”
WEC concluded that Terra Vigilis failed to give a clear statement of the problems and did not provide a clear rationale for its conclusions. It recommended that the report be revised.
The WEC report argues that a ski boat wake, which is acceptable to lake residents, is comparable to an enhanced wake, although he said the levels need to be adjusted and the distance from shore should be discussed.
WEC said that water quality has improved over the past two decades, despite increased boat activity and reported no detrimental effects from wake-enhanced boating.
Angell said there are on average fewer than three boats with enhanced weights on the lake any given day and many of those are fishing boats. Few of these enhanced weight boats come through the boat launch. “It is the people who own property around the lake; those are the people who wake surf,” he said.
The WEC report concluded that if surf boats remain 200 feet from shore and in water at least 10 feet deep, the environmental impact should be minimal.
Angell said the WEC report was commissioned to provide the selectmen in the three towns surrounding the lake with facts and to encourage continued conversation.
Bruce Birmbaum, who lives on the lake, had a different point of view. He commended the Interlocal Commission for commissioning the Terra Vigilis report and noted that the WEC report did not contradict any of its conclusions about potential environmental impacts.
“At best, it nibbles around edges of what Terra Vigilis said. On the issue of safety, large wakes can cause unsafe conditions by swamping or capsizing smaller boats,” he said. “Wake boats produce much higher waves and increase the risk of deaths or injuries.”
He said voluntary guidelines are virtually unenforceable.
“I implore the selectmen to act,” he said. “Doing nothing is not neutral, it favors wake boats.”
Kristen Feldman, a flatwater rower, purchased property one the lake so she could pursue her passion. “I have been driven away from the lake by the boat traffic,” she said. “It takes one big boat, or one big wake, to swamp a boat.” She recommended setting a “reasonable time for people who need flat water to recreate” and restricting wake boats during that time.
Jim Hicks of Kent, who grew up on the lake, said the water quality there had become so bad that he became allergic to it. As a former member of the Task Force, he said a singular achievement was identifying and sustaining thermal stratification of the lake’s water.
“It’s a delicate balance of thermal layers that is critical [to the lake’s health] because it traps nutrients at the bottom,” he said. “That sustaining of stratification is our greatest achievement. Terra Vigilis identifies a down draft of water—why would we allow anything to go on this lake that would disturb the bottom.
“What we need is acceptance that these machines are not good for the lake,” he said. “I can’t see why anyone would want to create a wake for the short-term joy of simulating surfing knowing that wake will reach all the way across the lake, rock docks and potentially overturn smaller boats. My concern is why there isn’t there more consideration for all the people affected by these wakes.”
First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer thanked those who attended the selectmen’s meeting to express their opinions but said there was no action to be taken that night. “No specific regulations have been proposed by anyone yet,” he said. He said officials of the three towns and organizations around the lake would get together to “find a reasoned approach of what to do.”
