Wake Up - Impacts of Recreational Boat Wakes on Shoreline Habitat in the Rideau Canal Waterway

Recreational boat wakes significantly impact shoreline habitats in low-fetch environments like the Rideau Canal Waterway (RCW), contributing to erosion and sediment resuspension. A study quantified these effects using a combination of boat traffic surveys and experimental trials, measuring near-shore wave fields and turbidity with RBRmaestro3 loggers. The research found that boat wake energy, characterized by peak and significant wave heights, correlates with sediment resuspension—a proxy for erosion—even in calm conditions where wind wave energy is minimal. Preliminary results suggest that different boat types, speeds, and distances from shore influence shoreline disturbance, providing a foundation for predictive models to guide management actions on the RCW and similar waterways.

Robinson, S. A. (2024). Wake Up - Impacts of Recreational Boat Wakes on Shoreline Habitat in the Rideau Canal Waterway. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.20753380