The introduction of wake boats on the Pinawa Channel and Lee River has created a significant and contentious issue among recreation users on both bodies of water. Wake boat ownership and use along these bodies of water have been increasing over the past five years. The primary issue is the enhanced wake created by wake boats when travelling at low speeds with full or partially full ballasts. 1,000 to 3,000 pounds of water can be taken into the ballast tank, depending on its size, to increase the boat’s displacement, shape the wake and create artificial waves for surfing.

The continued use of wake boats, specifically on the Pinawa Channel and the narrow sections of the Lee River, has contributed to accelerated shoreline erosion, caused damage to personal property, swamped boats of other recreational users, and created a growing safety concern along the waterways.

Causes of Large Wakes

In terms of large wakes and waves generated along the Pinawa Channel and Lee River, research and the Public Consultation Process have produced the following causes:

• Since the introduction of wake boats on waterways across the globe, wakeboarding and wake surfing have become contentious issues worldwide. Many communities struggle with the enhanced waves created by these vessels, which on the Pinawa Channel and Lee River have been reported to be between three feet and six feet high.
• Wake boat ownership is increasing, and the sport of wake surfing continues to grow in popularity.
• As wake boats and the watersports associated with them, such as wake surfing and wakeboarding, become more popular and technology is further developed, the boats being manufactured and purchased are getting larger. Manufacturers provide the ability to accommodate even more displacement value by increasing ballast, with some models boasting up to 5,000 pounds of water taken into the boat, which further increases the size of the wake, or wave, being created.
• Years ago, these boats were a high-ticket item. While some models can still cost more than $200,00, lower-cost options have hit the market, coming in at around $56,000. The lower price ticket makes wake boats more accessible to more people resulting in increased usage.
• The use of wake boats for wake surfing is the direct cause of the large wake and wave problems identified.
• Wave height is one of the most important factors in shoreline erosion. Observations made by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have shown that:
• a wave that is 12.5 cm high (the height of a compact disk case) when it reaches the shore does not cause significant shoreline damage. Waves this high are created by boats operating at speeds under 10 km/h – a rate that is generally considered reasonable when operating close to shore
• a wave that is 25 cm high is four times more destructive than a 12.5 cm wave
• 5 cm high waves are 25 times more destructive
• Wake boats, specifically for wake surfing, create waves that are 91 cm high to 183 cm high.
• The size of a waterway affects the potential for erosion to occur. The greater the distance generated waves are from shore, the more opportunity they have to dissipate before reaching shore, reducing the effect they have on shoreline erosion.
• The composition of the shoreline is also a determining factor in how a shoreline will be impacted and affected by natural and human causes of erosion.

Operating Behaviours that Add to the Cause

Specific operating behaviours contributing to the cause of the problem include:

• Wake boat operators operating too close to shorelines and other watercraft, creating large, unsafe waves for wake surfing, create hazardous conditions for different users and accelerate shoreline erosion.
• Wake surfers prefer the calm waters of the Pinawa Channel and Lee River over the larger and safer areas to operate.

Speeding concerns were another problem identified during the Public Consultation Process. In particular, respondents reported speeding concerns related to personal watercraft operators. Speed is of general concern when hundreds of recreational users enjoy water bodies at a time. The safety concern of speed, combined with high traffic congestion at narrow points of the bodies of water, is an accident waiting to happen.

The speed of vessels is also of noted concern at two crossing points.

The first is where the Lee River meets the Pinawa Channel at Coordinates 50° 16’ 12” N – 95° 52 46 W; under the PTH 313 bridge. Granite outcroppings make this a very narrow passing, and it is the only entrance onto or exiting from the Pinawa Channel. The water is also very shallow and further reduces the passable course vessels can take. Increasing the safety hazard is a lack of sight as the pathway curves southwest.

The second point is on the Lee River at Coordinates 50° 18’ 41” N – 95° 51’ 29” W. All vessels south of this point use this passing to reach the broader parts of the Lee River or travel to Lac du Bonnet Lake. All vessels north of this point use this passage to reach the southern part of the Lee River. Two granite outcroppings jut out of the water. The river on either side of these outcroppings is very shallow, with a granite riverbed, forcing all traffic to travel between them.

Vessel Operation Speed Causes

In terms of vessel operation speed on the waterways, research and the Public Consultation Process have produced the following causes:

• Technology is a leading factor in this problem whereby motorized vessels on the waterways today are more prominent and faster than 20 years ago.
• Lack of education and proper waterway etiquette are contributing factors where speed is concerned.
• Speed often became a safety concern when operating vessels near shorelines and other watercraft and during times when impaired driving is observed.
• Many vessel operators exceed the governed speed of 10 km within 30 m of the shoreline.

Operating Behaviour Causes

Specific operating behaviours contributing to the cause of the problem include:

• Personal watercraft users continue to drive at high speeds, weaving through other waterway traffic in times of congestion.
• Motorized user groups do not alter their speed while approaching and passing non-motorized vessels (canoe, kayak, paddleboard) users.

Personal watercraft users are a leading contributing factor with speed concerns, particularly in regards to the ability these vessels have to change direction quickly, the erratic driving patterns the operators make while weaving in and out of other boat traffic, crisscrossing across the waterway, or driving in circles around other users, and near shorelines.

Participants identified several conflicts, including conflicts between high-impact water sports and leisurely recreation activities, the impact of towing activities and personal watercraft use activities (erratic driving, proximity to shore and other vessels, and speed), and the potential for danger arising from hundreds of users participating in all possible recreational activities during peak periods, specifically along the Pinawa Channel and the narrow sections of the Lee River.

Causes of Conflicting Activities

In terms of conflicting activities and uses on the waterways, research and the Public Consultation Process have produced the following causes:

• An increase in users since the 1990s and an increased diversity of usage, with the addition of larger and more powerful boats, has compounded this problem.
• There are more intensive and varied recreational activities on the waterways, which are continually evolving.
• Increased usage of the relatively static, narrowly confined water surfaces is placing more demands on these resources.
• There is a drastic variation in water users’ and craft operators’ experience, skill levels, education, interests and consideration for and understanding of other user groups.
• There is enhanced visibility and prominence of safety and environmental issues.
• There are varied attitudes and perceptions about recreation activities, waterway safety, water resources, and environmental impact.

Operating Behaviours Contributing to the Cause

Specific operating behaviours contributing to the cause of the problem include:

• Personal watercraft users travel close to other vessels to jump wakes and waves.
• Wake surfers are creating large waves, swamping and capsizing other watercraft.
• Vessel operators travel too closely to tow activities; if a skier or tube occupant is sent into the water, there is significant concern that they will be run over by other vessels.
• There is an increase in the number of operators who travel too close to other vessels, especially in high traffic times.