By Greg Baker, President of the Lake Anna Civic Association

Lake Anna is a shared treasure. Families fish, paddle, ski, swim, and surf here. Homeowners invest their time and savings into caring for the shoreline. Visitors bring vitality to our local economy. The lake is not “owned” by any one group — it is a resource that must be shared responsibly.

That is why the No Wake Surfing Zones matter. These zones are not about excluding one activity; they are about balance. They protect areas of the lake where wake surfing simply doesn’t fit — shallow, narrow channels with crowded residential shorelines.

Some have suggested that the three No Wake Surfing Zones are unnecessary or confusing. The fact is, these zones are legal navigational markers, installed with the approval of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). They were recommended by the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) and Spotsylvania County after public input and deliberation. DWR reviewed those recommendations and authorized the buoys. This was not a unilateral action but a transparent process reflecting science, safety, and consensus.

The reason these zones exist is clear. Wake surfing produces a very different kind of energy than traditional boating. Studies show that wake surfing generates waves four to 17 times more powerful than other recreational boats. These wakes travel 500 to 1,000 feet before dissipating. Propeller wash from wake boats stirs sediment 15 to 33 feet deep, releasing phosphorus that fuels harmful algal blooms. The waves accelerate shoreline erosion, damage docks and bulkheads, and disrupt aquatic vegetation and fish habitats.

The three zones at Lake Anna are precisely the kinds of locations where wake surfing causes disproportionate harm — shallow, narrow channels with crowded residential shorelines. Without protections, the cost is borne by everyone: homeowners repairing docks and riprap, governments addressing water quality issues, and families facing unsafe conditions.

The Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) has adopted a policy based on decades of research. We recommend wake surfing only in water at least 20 feet deep and at least 500 feet from shorelines. This is not a radical stance. Vermont recently adopted a statewide rule requiring wake sports to be limited to designated “wake zones” at least 50 acres in size, 20 feet deep, and 500 feet from shore. Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources has issued similar recommendations after reviewing dozens of studies.
Even many in the wake surfing community recognize the need for limits. The group Lake Anna 4 All states its mission as preserving all watersports “through education and respect, with guidelines we can all live with.” And surfers themselves have acknowledged that 15 to 20 feet of depth is needed to create an appropriate surf wave. In short, both science and common sense support reasonable regulations.
LACA represents more than 1,000 members across all three counties bordering Lake Anna. In our most recent survey, nearly 90% supported our policy of 500-foot setbacks and 20-foot depth requirements. This is a clear mandate from the people who live here, pay taxes, and depend on the lake.
The zones are not anti-recreation; they are pro-balance. They allow wake surfing where it fits, while protecting areas that cannot absorb that level of wave energy.

Some argue that education alone is enough. But just as speed limit signs don’t stop speeding in residential neighborhoods, education without enforceable boundaries does not prevent harm. That is why we set rules on the road — and why rules are needed on the water. Others point to a 200-foot setback as “sufficient.” But this ignores science. These waves travel well beyond 200 feet. Even the wake sports industry has quietly acknowledged that 200 feet is not defensible. It is an attempt to enshrine into law a standard that falls short of protecting lakes like ours.

Lake Anna is at a crossroads. We can ignore science and community voices, or we can embrace balance and stewardship. The existing No Wake Surfing Zones are not about taking away fun. They are about ensuring that everyone — surfers, paddlers, homeowners, and anglers — can enjoy this lake safely, sustainably, and together.

Jen Bailey

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