RIVER: Boaters making waves

Just want to thank you for another summer of wake boaters tearing up the river — and everyone’s’ property. Even though it has been an unusually quiet river this year, those arrogant boaters still manage to create a lot of destruction with their repeated, excessive wakes. We had to take down several trees this year because of erosion. There are more trees to follow — if they do not fall into the water first. We have also had to repair our docks again — second time in less than three months.  

The distance between my property and the land across the river from me is probably just 300 feet. I would like to know how a skier (being pulled) with wake boats on each side of her is allowed to pass, all together, though this narrow channel without breaking the law? Not to mention the other boats who move out of their way (it’s almost godlike), and are then left to bob about, battling the gigantic after-waves. Course kayakers, paddle boarders, swimmers, and people fishing have to stop what they are doing to fight the continual wakes as well.

OK, I realize these wakers are the same people who never followed the past NO EXCESSIVE WAKE rule to begin with. Perhaps you should get rid of any shoreline restrictions as well, since the wake boaters do not respect rules or regulations anyway.

There are a lot of newer BIG boats coming down the river that create huge wakes as well. I cannot wait to see what happens if 200-plus new docks go in on this river with no thought given about how to control things. And do not expect the patrols to be able to handle it alone. It is amazing how boaters and skiers and tubers all settle down then the Sheriff’s men are around. When the patrol boats vanish around a bend, everyone is back to doing whatever they wish. Maybe you should add some NO WAKE ZONES along narrow parts the river (starting in front of my property) to slow things down — like stop lights do on the road. Changes need to be made for the betterment of the Spokane River.

MARGO HARDING

Coeur d’Alene