WAKE SURFING - Ballast tanks and invasives transfer

Volume and Contents of Residual Water in Recreational Watercraft Ballast Systems
(Campbell et al, Management of Biological Invasives (2016) Vol 7, Issue 3: 281-286)
Excellent study of ballast tanks in wake surf boats. Authors are researchers at the Univ of Wisconsin, the Minnesota DNR and a WI planning commission.

Michigan DNR Study
“Wake boats: Concerns and Recommendations Related to Natural Resource Management in Michigan Waters”, (Sept 2022 Report of Michigan) DNR. 
Excellent study, recommending wake surfing be done no less than 500 feet from shore or docks and in no less than 15 feet water depth and that ballast tanks must be wholly drained.  See page 5 for discussion of invasives transfer via wake surf ballast tanks.

Ballast/Wake Boats: Specific Concerns About Aquatic Invasive Species & Water Quality
Amy P. Smagula, Limnologist NH Department of Environmental Services

Wake boats and Invasives 
Letter to the Editor, Lakeland Times August 26, 2022

“Zebra Mussel’s Best Friend—Wakeboard Boats”
Pioneer Press (Minneapolis St Paul)  Jan. 22, 2018

Ballast tank decontamination
This video shows how to decontaminate ballast tanks to minimize the chance of transferring invasives between lakes.  Two minutes.

News article regarding Montana’s requirement that boats with ballast tanks must be decontaminated  June 8, 2019,

Montana Laws re ballast tank decontamination Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Dept.


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