Upper Saranac Foundation urges boaters to be ‘Wake Smart’ this summer

The Upper Saranac Foundation’s (USF) new Wake Smart campaign seeks to raise awareness about the impacts that wakeboats have on lake ecology and other users.

The Wake Smart initiative launched on Memorial Day weekend, with signage at public access areas on Upper Saranac Lake as well as a mailer campaign, social media posts and a webpage with resources on how to enjoy wakeboating while also sharing the lake, protecting plants and wildlife, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

“Wakeboating, along with wakesurfing and wakeboarding, have become increasingly popular watersports in the Adirondacks and beyond,” said USF Executive Director Guy Middleton. “With that popularity comes the need for greater awareness about the impacts it has on the lake ecosystem, other recreational activities and the shoreline. The Upper Saranac Foundation welcomes all uses of our watershed — our Wake Smart campaign is focused on how we can all share the lake and be mindful of our human footprint.”

Impacts of large wakes

Wakeboats are designed differently from traditional motorboats, featuring deep-V hulls, ballast systems and specialized hardware to enhance wake creation for wakeboarding and wakesurfing.

Wakeboats generate large, powerful wakes intended for surfing and boarding, but those wakes don’t stay confined to open waters. When created near the shoreline, they can accelerate erosion, damage docks and boathouses, and endanger paddlers, swimmers, and moored boats. The turbulence also poses a threat to native wildlife. Loons, which nest along the water’s edge, are especially vulnerable to nest destruction caused by wave disturbances.

Beneath the surface, the problem deepens. The strong downward propwash created by wakeboats can stir up sediments in waters shallower than 20 feet, clouding water clarity and releasing phosphorus trapped in the lakebed. This nutrient disruption has been linked to an increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs) — a growing concern that poses risks to both people and wildlife. Wakeboats can also spread aquatic invasive species (AIS) via ballast tanks if not properly cleaned, drained and dried.

Promoting responsible wakeboating

The Upper Saranac Foundation encourages wake boaters to operate in water at least 30 feet deep and maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet from shorelines, docks, and other boats. Additionally, boaters are expected to clean, drain and dry ballast tanks and equipment to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

“The goal of the Wake Smart campaign isn’t to restrict recreation,” Middleton said. “Rather, the Upper Saranac Foundation wants to raise awareness about one of the newer uses of the watershed and its impacts. Upper Saranac Lake is a natural resource enjoyed by many different types of users, and educational efforts like the Wake Smart campaign help ensure that we’re being respectful of each other and the lake itself.”

To learn more about the Wake Smart campaign, visit usfoundation.net/programs/wakesmart

About the Upper Saranac Foundation

The Upper Saranac Foundation is a nonprofit, science-guided organization celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. USF seeks to preserve, enhance and protect the natural beauty, environmental quality, and recreational enjoyment of the Upper Saranac Lake watershed through selective support of projects related to overall water quality. The Foundation is funded through tax-deductible donations. Activities include aquatic invasive species prevention and management, lake dam maintenance, monitoring water quality, and promoting environmental awareness. To learn more, visit usfoundation.net.