POA lakes director discusses wake damage

After spending the better part of another meeting on the issue of wakes and the boats that cause them, the Joint Advisory Committee on Lakes agreed to recommend a change in regulations to the POA Board of Directors.

The committee has spent several meetings discussing wake board boats after residents complained that the large wakes from this new type of boat are damaging the shoreline and some structures around the lakes. Wake board boats have a large tank that can be filled with water so that the boat makes a large wake which can be ridden by people on wake boards or even lake surf boards. Last month, the committee appointed a subcommittee to research the issue further.

The subcommittee looked at other lakes in the region and consulted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the issue on Beaver Lake. They also looked at research including the Water Sports Industry Association’s recommendation.

The committee members agreed that rather than banning a specific type of boat, they will concentrate on a boater’s behavior. Because wake boarders need a larger wake, they will be kept 150 feet from the shoreline. The water skiing area, which is 100 feet from shore, will not change.

General Manager Tom Judson advised the committee to push for more lake rangers. The lake rangers enforce Bella Vista regulations in parks and on lakes.

Several members of the audience who spoke in favor of wake boarding seemed satisfied with the outcome.