Wake Surfing Bylaw - South Charlton Reservoir

Context

Proposed bylaw to restrict or ban wake surfing (as distinct from wake boarding/water skiing) on Charlton's lakes, driven initially by concerns on South Charlton Reservoir. Wake surfing uses ballasted boats moving slowly to generate large waves for the rider to surf without a tow line; residents on the lake (led by Jim Triplet) argue the waves cause shoreline erosion, dock damage, and ecological harm to lake-bottom habitat, citing out-of-state studies recommending buffers of ~400-600 ft from shore and ~20-30 ft of water depth. Boat owners who wake surf (including a family represented at the meeting) dispute the studies apply to South Charlton and note the lake is shallow (avg. ~10 ft at mid-lake per a resident rangefinder survey), self-limiting where the activity can occur.

Any bylaw would need each lake association's support before Town Meeting; South Charlton Reservoir is being treated as the first case (Glen Echo may not have enough depth to support the activity at all).

Status

As of the Conservation Commission meeting Aug 19, 2026: commission voted to authorize the conservation agent to solicit proposals for an independent depth/impact study of South Charlton Reservoir, funded via the town's municipal waterways fund (subject to Lakes & Ponds Committee approval of fund usage). Study results would inform whether the commission supports the bylaw when it goes to the Select Board / Town Meeting.

As of September 22, 2026 the study is still routed through the Lakes and Ponds committee; nothing for the commission to decide yet.

Log

2026-09-22 - Conservation Commission Meeting — Not on the agenda; a resident objected to the discussion being skipped. The agent explained the sequence: the study proposal goes to the Lakes and Ponds committee first, findings return before any commission discussion or vote, South Charlton is the focus with Glen Echo the next potential lake, and the bylaw route is commission to Select Board to Town Meeting. Earlier "20 ft deep" claims did not drive the study vote.
2026-08-19 - Conservation Commission Meeting — Extended public hearing; commission voted to pursue an independent lake-depth study before taking a position.