Are Aqua Thrusters Legal? When it comes to maintaining attractive waterfront properties, homeowners and businesses often encounter a persistent challenge: muck, weeds, and debris that plague their shorelines. Aqua thrusters, also known as Aqua Blowers, Hydraulic Jets, or Muck Blowers, are devices that are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in dealing with this problem. To many, however, the legality of these units is unclear. Below, we will explain what is legal and illegal, address how to responsibly use an aqua blower, discuss why the confusion surrounding the legality of aqua thrusters exists, and finally, explain how to apply for a permit if your situation requires it. The Case for Aqua Blowers Aqua blowers are used by many waterfront property owners because they are the closest you can get to a “do it all” solution. Whether homeowners are looking to rid their lakeshore of muck or weeds, remove an unsightly layer of algae or duckweed from their pond, or provide some much-needed circulation to stagnant bays, aqua blowers are up to the task. The price point is another factor. With most brands selling for prices between $2000-$3000, they are generally much more affordable than dredging, and offer the owner the ability to take control of lakeshore tasks. Beyond those advantages, they are also generally more convenient and effective than other lake and pond equipment. Compare a weed harvester to a product such as the JetStream Aqua Blower by Admiral Lake and Pond Restoration, for example; the JetStream will not only be able to accomplish more tasks than a weed harvester - it will also take up much less space, require less maintenance, and operate effectively with much less effort or supervision from its owner. Why Aqua Thrusters Raise Concerns with the DNR While customers’ desire to clear organic debris and muck from their shorelines for recreational and aesthetic purposes is a completely understandable goal, it can create conflict with the Department of Natural Resources or similar state-controlled agency that enforces regulations to protect aquatic ecosystems (agency names vary by state - for the sake of consistency, we’ll use the most common acronym going forward - DNR). The principal concern that the DNR has regarding aqua thruster use is that it has the potential to cause lakebottom disturbances. Due to the powerful water flow that aqua thrusters create, they can forcefully remove muck and sediment in which protected aquatic plants may be rooted, often causing said plants to perish or be carried away from the area. These plants, beyond potentially being protected, may serve as a food source for fish and form an important part of the underwater ecosystem. What’s Legal and What’s Not? Legal Use Without a Permit: Aqua thrusters may be used to clear up to a certain specified amount of space or distance along a homeowners’ lake shore (including the lake bottom) as established by your local DNR authority, generally in order to allow space for docks or watercraft, though many people also use the space as a swimming area. In Wisconsin, this is a 30-foot strip. In Minnesota, it is a 50-foot strip or 2,500 square feet. In Michigan, it is 2,500 square feet or a 15-foot strip for boat access to open water. After reaching the thresholds established by your local DNR, aqua blowers can continue to be used legally and without a permit to blow away weeds, algae, and debris suspended or floating in the middle or upper areas of the water column. This type of use does not require a permit as it does not cause any lake-bottom disturbances. Legal Use With a Permit: If you plan to use an aqua thruster to remove muck or uproot aquatic plants on the lake bottom, you will need a permit from the DNR first. This permit is to make sure the activity agrees with set environmental protection standards and reduces the possibility of damaging the environment. When Aqua Thruster Use is Illegal: Performing the same activities listed above (blowing along the lake bottom for muck removal or uprooting aquatic plants) without a permit and/or doing so beyond any allowed limits would make aqua thruster use illegal. Aqua Thruster Usage – How to Operate Responsibly Understand your Blower: Never operate your jet blower without reading the manufacturer’s manual to make sure you are safely and correctly operating the device. You should make sure you know how to adjust all settings appropriately in order to abide by DNR regulations and simultaneously get the most out of your unit. Understand the Rules: Call or visit your local DNR website to make sure you are operating according to the latest regulations for your area (potentially important in case regulations are updated/changed after this article is written). Apply for a Permit if Necessary: If you want to remove muck or plant life on the lake bottom and you’ve surpassed the local state limits for removal, you should contact the DNR for a permit (explained below). Consult Professionals: Contact experts like the team at Admiral Lake and Pond Restoration with any relevant questions regarding aqua thruster operation or guidelines. Why All the Confusion? Compliance with DNR and general environmental protection standards when using your aqua thruster is actually not very difficult or complex at all - by and large if you simply refrain from angling the unit downwards, you will be within the bounds of legality - so why all the confusion? The main reasons are misinformation and incomplete information. Many people have heard someone say “Aqua thrusters are illegal”. This is an incomplete statement that is more false than it is true, as there are more conditions that must be met to make this statement true, than false. First, one would have to assume that thruster use is occurring along the lake bottom. Second, it would only apply if the person in question had already cleared the amount of space legally allowed by the local DNR. Third, it would also have to be under the assumption that use was without a permit. Now, if that same person were to say, “Aqua thruster use is illegal when blowing along the lake bottom without a permit and after having surpassed the DNR-established limits,” they would have a point. Unfortunately, it is much easier and more common for people to stick with the shorter, incomplete version of the statement listed above. Beyond incomplete information spread amongst shoreline dwellers, there is also misinformation spread online, where AI bots and humans alike will mistakenly type that aqua blower use is not allowed. Even local DNR sites have been known to provide partial information that can lead to confusion and a perpetuation of incomplete, or inaccurate statements. How to Obtain a DNR permit Step 1: First, determine if you need a permit at all! Most situations do not require a permit. Will you be using the thruster or blower to aerate, circulate, and/or target suspended weeds and organic material in the middle of the water column? If so, no permit is required. If you plan on removing muck, sediment or using your thruster along the lake bottom, continue to Step 2. Step 2: Visit your local DNR web page (listed by state below) and navigate to the permit section of aquatic plant management. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/ https://www.michigan.gov/dnr Step 3: Complete the application with information about how the aqua thruster will be used and how much space it will cover. Step 4: Keep an eye on the timetable and wait for the permit to be approved. Step 5: Once approved, abide by the conditions of the permit (if any) to avoid future issues. Step 6: Enjoy a much cleaner shoreline and the peace of mind that comes with being well informed!