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Waterway & Wetland Permits: Ponds

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“Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee when I want to...”

Ponds

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    Build a pond

    Wisconsin State Statutes require a person to obtain a permit if they plan to construct, dredge, or enlarge a pond or artificial waterbody, or any part of either that is connected to a navigable waterway, located within 500 feet of a navigable waterway, or constructed within a wetland.

    Two permit types are available that authorize the building of a pond. They are General Permits and Individual Permits. You will need to determine what type of permit may be necessary for your project. The first thing to consider is what the intended use of the pond will be. Please use our "Can I Build a Pond?" resource to help you make that determination. Then follow these steps before starting your project:

    1. Determine if your waterway has a special designation that might affect the permit requirements.
    2. Determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit or an Individual Permit.

    Step 1

    Determine if your waterway has a special designation that might affect the exemption or permit requirements. Visit the search page below, enter the information about your waterway, and record any designations that it may have.

    If you have questions about using the Designated Waters Search tool, you may visit our Designated Waters Search Tutorial to learn how.

    Step 2

    Determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit or Individual Permit. A General Permit is available for three types of ponds: Landscape Pond, Stormwater Pond, and Wildlife Pond. Review the permit conditions found in these application attachments to see if your project will qualify.

    Send the completed application materials, along with the Water Resources Application for Project Permits (WRAPP) [#3500-053, PDF 46KB] cover sheet , fee and Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB], to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. Please note: if you are applying for more than one permit, you only need to include one WRAPP cover sheet with your application materials. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

    In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.

    If your project will not meet the conditions of a General Permit, you'll need to apply for an Individual Permit.

    Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB], to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. Please note: if you are applying for more than one permit, you only need to include one WRAPP cover sheet with your application materials. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

    In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.

    Notice:
    Federal law requires landowners of construction sites with one acre or more of land disturbance to address erosion control and storm water management by filing a Water Resources Application for Project Permits (WRAPP) along with the “Construction Erosion and Sediment Control” and “Post Construction Stormwater Management” attachments. If your project involves the disturbance of an acre or more, you will need to obtain required storm water application materials.

    Other activities associated with pond construction or maintenance may also require permits. These include:

    For more information about pond management, see Management of Aquatic Plants and Algae in Ponds: Protecting Your Piece of Paradise.


    Ponds Permit Application Materials


    How do I save and open the permit materials in ZIP format?

    General Permit Attachments:
    Individual Permit Applications:

    Ponds Permit Additional Materials

    Ponds Permit Sample Drawings:

    Ponds Permit Exemption Materials:

    Pond projects related to the following activities DO NOT need a permit:

    • construction or repair of a public highway,
    • agricultural use,
    • located in Milwaukee county,
    • any work required to maintain the original dimensions of a previously permitted pond,
    • sediment trap draining a maximum of 5 acres that meets standards in NR 151,
    • temporary stormwater pond that meets NR 151 standards.

    Please send your completed application materials to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page.


    Laws

    Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.19, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 343, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 30KB].

    Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].

    Last Revised: Thursday December 08 2011