Artificial Wakes on the Willamette River

basic Facts on artificial waves from wake surfing and the Willamette River

While there are many ways to enjoy rivers and lakes, with related management decisions to be made, over the past few years the issue of artificial waves from “wake surf” boats has become a problem across the United States. These artificial waves are known to affect the ecology of rivers and lakes, as well as water quality. With waves large enough for surfing are brought to inland waterways, the ecological consequences are not all that hard to understand.

In addition to ecological damage, it has been well-documented that artificial waves on inland waters wreak havoc on private property, and have a detrimental impact on a range of other users of these waterways. Willamette Riverkeeper believes that signifiant restrictions to how craft, those designed to create artificial waves, should be implemented.

We provide the links below for more information about our work on this issue:

WR’s DSL Petition - Oct 2019: https://www.scribd.com/document/433471264/Petition-Re-Artificial-Waves-to-DSL-November-2019

Oregon Reps Letter to Governor Brown: https://www.scribd.com/document/452090484/OregonRepsLettertoGovernorBrown2020REHB2351

Letter from NOAA Fisheries to the Oregon Marine Board regarding Wake Boat concerns. https://www.scribd.com/document/443346268/Impacts-of-Wake-Boat-Activity-Final-PDF-1-16-20

Willamette Riverkeeper’s 60-day Notice to the Oregon State Marine Board, and Oregon Department of State Lands

It is not just on the Willamette River, What’s happening around the Country

This issue is become large, and actions are being taken in Oregon, Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont and beyond.

Group Like Safe Wakes In MN have formed (www.safewakes.org). In Oregon the Oregon River Safety and Protection Association, and the Calm Water Coalition now exist because of this issue.

What you can do

Rulemaking for the Lower River: In the past few months, a Rules Advisory Committee has met, and has provided feedback about new restrictions to Wake Surfing from RM 26.5, to downtown Portland. WR believes that Wake Surfing boats should only operate from River Mile 11 down to River Mile 0 - meaning the confluence with the Columbia.