WATCH YOUR WAKE PROGRAM: “BE WAKE WISE”
Wake and wash are two terms that are often used to describe the waves created by a boat as it moves through the water.
Both wake and wash can be potentially dangerous. It is important for boaters to be aware of the impact of their wake and wash on other boaters, swimmers, and shorelines, and to take steps to minimize their impact. This can include slowing down, avoiding crowded areas, or adjusting course to minimize the size and impact of the wake and wash.
- Loons, and other birds that nest along the shore, choose locations that are protected from waves. Boat wakes can drown the nests and their young.
- Inexperienced swimmers and young children can be seriously hurt by the size and energy of boat wakes.
- Wake and wash can churn up sediments in shallow water releasing dormant nutrients that promote weed growth and algae blooms which in turn affects the “turbidity” (clarity) levels of a lake and its overall water quality.
- Boat wake causes erosion.
- Boat wake can cause docks and moored boats to rock severely & get damaged.
√ Our lakes are small in size, have narrow passages and blind corners !
√ Our Water quality is considered a “prized attribute” and the primary factor for protection !
√ Wakes and speed reduction are critical to their health & shoreline protection !
√ Overall safety of users and infrastructure is paramount !
√ The passage into the is only 100 m wide & the entire south-east bay narrows from 136 m down !
√ These are very narrow and should be considered “Reduced to No Wake Zones” !
How You Can Be Wake Wise?
- Be aware of the size of your wake during displacement, transition & planing.
- Position your passengers through-out the boat to reduce the time spent in transition speed.
- Look behind you to see and understand the impact of your wake.
- Adjust your speed and direction to minimize the impact.
- Respect the shoreline zone. Reduce your speed to less than 10 km/h within 30 metres of any shore.
- Waterski, tube, and wake-board well away from all shorelines.
Useful Links
Safe Boating Guide – PDF
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/boatingsafety/
boating-safety-resources
Nautisme Quebec (French only)
https://nautismequebec.com/guide-du-plaisancier/
Aceboater.com
https://aceboater.com/what-is-wake-wash-when-boating
GEOCENTRIQ & Measurement Tools
https://app.geocentriq.com/mrc/vallee-de-la-gatineau/municipalite/bluesea?cursor=measure-line&X=333979.31&Y=5120521.27&res=4.301908764588396