23 Responses

1. We are continuing to witness the increasing danger to our property, the shore line and the over-all quality and safety of the recreational use of Hayden Lake by the boats that cause excessive wakes and wave action. It has forced property owners to put up buoys in an effort to protect their property and safety. Also, and most important, we have witnessed little or NO EFFORT to enforce current rules with regard to the 200

2. We continue to witness an increasing dangers to our property, the shore erosion and the over-all quality of the recreation use of Hayden Lake caused by the excessive wakes and wave action by wake boats. In addition, there appears to be total disregard of current regulation regarding the 200′ no wake zone. Most important, there has been little or no enforcement of this regulation. This has forced shore line residents to put up buoys in an effort to protect their property and safety. We appreciate the efforts of the County Commissioners to address this URGENT situation.

3. This is a good start. I would think a better proposal would be that boats with excessive wakes should operate in the middle of the lake, an equal distance between shorelines, as long as it is in excess of 300 feet from either shoreline. Very few people can determine 300 feet, but the middle is pretty easy to judge. In actuality, those kind of wakes should be reserved for those lakes that are big enough to naturally have waves that big, such as Coeur d’Alene, Pend Orielle, and Priest Lake.

4. I am absolutely in support of this proposal. As a past resident and continued visitor of beautiful Hayden Lake for 57 years I am appalled at the degradation these heavy ballast surf boats produce. In addition to shoreline and dock damage, it has become dangerous for small boats to navigate the waters in their vicinity on what I now refer to as Lake Maytag.

5. As home owners on Hayden Lake we wholeheartedly support this ordinance. We also need additional buoys to remind boaters of appropriate distances from shoreline.

6. lets put no wake buoys 300 feet out around the entire 43 miles of shoreline
   it will be very attractive…NOT

   300 feet off shore will not change anything as far as the wakes from surf boats hitting the shoreline and your docks,

   Restrict boats of a given weight and hull design ie surf boats
   other wise don’t waste your time.

7. We strongly support this proposal. Thank you commissioners for considering it.

   As a Hayden Lake cabin owner for 60 years, we have seen a huge deterioration of quality of life, erosion of shoreline, and increase of dock damage due to wake surfing boats.

   Each year we have a tremendous amount of dock work due to the constant battering of waves.

   We live on a point that gets a huge amount of traffic. The boats come in so close that their waves have reached the roots of trees that have subsequently fallen.

   These boats, which are often used all-day by renters and often provided by Toblers, are noisy and constant. We used to be able to lie on the dock but now it is continually dwarfed by huge waves and by the speakers that blast out instructions to the students or rap music.

   The difference between these boats and ski boats is dramatic. We welcome skiers in comparison.

   This is a great first step but we are hopeful that buoys can also be allowed and that Toblers be warned that their renters are going to be watched carefully and reported if they don’t follow the rules.

8. What a great idea. We all are aware of the damage and dangers created by large wakes. If the Board is willing to enact this ordinance for the safety of the Hayden Lake community they should make waters on Hayden Lake, North of Chicken Point a total no wake zone. I am in favor of this ordinance.

9. As a homeowner on the north leg of Hayden Lake, I am VERY happy to hear these proposed changes. Not only the damage to my dock, and excessive erosion of the shoreline, but I also understand the very negative environmental affects of disturbing the lakebed. Having been on a Lake Commission in MN (land of 10,000 lakes), it was understood that disrupting the lakebed unsettled pollutants from years of settling, spread weeds drastically, and promoted the spread of invasive species. Nearly all lakes in MN are “infected”. Shallow areas are especially susceptible. Don’t let this happen in ID. Sounds like a great idea !

10. The Kootenai County Ordinance to establish a no-excessive-wake-zone needs to be established and enforced. The property damage is proven and apparent. I’ve had our pontoon boat damaged from passing wake/serf boats and have had to change the way its moored. Unfortunately there is an increasing number of boats that are capable of creating large wakes and most operators are oblivious to the damage caused. I agree we must all share this great resource and enjoy it how we like however not causing property damage, environmental damage and hazards to other users in smaller vessels, kayaks, paddle boards etc. There is enough room for everyone where these types of boats can/should be operated in a safe manner is necessary.

11. 300’ is a good start. You need many more than 8 buoys on Hayden Lake to mark a line site for boaters in order to enforce. You need a statement signed at all launches that the boater understands the ordinance and a fine of $500 to $1K will be imposed upon violation. Toblers Marina should have a 500 foot no wake zone built in front of its entrance. Jim Doty
    3400 e hayden Lake rd.

12. As a property owner and boater on Hayden Lake, I think this is a good start to recognize that a majority of boaters, and property owners on the County lakes do not appreciate the large wakes created by the surf boats. I think the wording should be changed, however, to: ” 300 feet from shoreline or any dock, pier, or other structure, or any other boat of smaller size. This would include kayaks, paddle boards, and fishing boats that can be upset by the large wake. (A person in the water is really not affected by the wave as they just rise and fall with it.)

13. Strongly in favor. I have another $5000 worth of repairs on my dock this year due largely to large wakes which are equivalent to the storm of the year happening almost daily. Further, these boats are out from April and well into October.
    And, they will ONLY GET BIGGER.
    I fail to see why one person’s enjoyment has to cost others.

14. Wholeheartedly in favor but only a start and will need enforcement!

15. I concur with the recommendation of the county sheriff regarding a no excessive wake zone between 200 and 300 feet from shore or dock.

16. I don’t disagree with the resolution. I feel it will help to protect people’s property and our shorelines. My concern is how is this going to be enforced? Many drivers are oblivious to the wake they are making and their position in relation to shorelines, docks and other boats. Without some form of reminder (historically buoys) to remind them I suspect there will be no change in their behaviors. Please allow property owners to mark this to assist and encourage the desired behavior.

17. As an owner of a ski/wakeboard boat, I have done my best to get out into open water away from the shoreline and docks while surfing. As a resident of Hayden lake I am very frustrated with the other boats that surf along the shoreline and wreck ours docks and erode the shoreline. Many of the people are completely oblivious to their surroundings and have no regard or understanding to the damage they are causing to other people’s property. Buoys would be helpful to enforce the 200’ no-wake and would give the Surf boats a point of reference. I would be in favor of this ordinance in order to preserve the shoreline and lessen the erosion created by boats like ours. Thank you, Dave Van Hersett

18. I urge the County Commissioners to adopt Resolution 2020-___ Kootenai County Waterways Restricted Zone Designation recommended by the Kootenai County Sheriff amending Kootenai County Code, Section 6-2-6. I am a 30 year property owner with lake front on Hayden Lake. Excessive wakes have always been a bit of a problem to safety on docks, beaches and to boating. In the last years the problem has become a hazard. The erosion to the shoreline has increased as well as the actual danger now to people attempting to use docks and beaches. Boating has become a scary proposition with boats throwing such significant wakes.
    I understand the desire by some to recreate in these wakes, but out in central areas of the lakes is a much safer place for that recreation.
    This amendment will protect the rights of both populations attempting to enjoy the county’s waterways.

19. Great idea! The Kootenai County Ordinance to establish a no-excessive-wake-zone needs to be established and enforced. I love the water and all the boating activities the North Idaho lakes provide. Unfortunately there is an increasing number of boats that are capable of creating wakes large enough to wash over docks (and the people on them), create havoc for smaller boats (canoes, kayaks), stir up the sediment along the shoreline and cause damage through erosion on the banks. There is enough room for everyone and understanding where these types of boats can/should be operated in a safe manner is apparently necessary.

20. I completely agree with the proposed establishment of a no-excessive -wake-zone on Kootenai Lakes. I would like proposal to specifically prohibit the excessive wakes caused when wakeboards and water skis are launched from docks. I have incurred significant expense twice in the last ten years to repair the damage to the float logs, the tie logs and the floatation on my dock, compared to nothing over the first thirty years of existence. I would like the proposal to specifically prohibit the excessive wakes created when wakeboards and water skis are launched directly or near docks.

    1. Thank you, Lance, for sharing your story. I’ve heard similar accounts from a number of property owners on each of our waterways in North Idaho. Please send this message to the KC BOCC at [email protected].

21. The proposal does not address the need to fine wake boats which are causing irrepairable damage to private and public shore lines.

    1. Thank you, James, for your input. County ordinances do not specify the consequences of violations; they specify the delineation between allowed and not-allowed behaviors. Defining clear and enforceable rules is the first step. Please share your concerns with the BOCC via email: [email protected].

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