Waterway & Wetland Permits: Water Ski Platforms

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“I want to place a water ski platform or jump in a lake, river, or flowage. Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee?” Waterfront property owners may place water ski platforms or water ski jumps in a navigable waterway without obtaining a permit if all of the following requirements are met:

Water Ski Platforms

DNR Photo

The platform or jump does not interfere with public rights in navigable waters such as fishing access or protection of fish spawning areas.
The platform or jump does not interfere with the rights of other waterfront property owners such as denying access to neighbor's shoreline.
The platform or jump is located at a site that ensures adequate water depth and clearance for safe water skiing.

Contact your local Water Management Specialist to determine if your project will meet these requirements. If your proposal does not meet all 3 requirements listed, you will need to apply for an Individual Permit for a Miscellaneous Structure in Waterway. A fee is required.

Please follow these steps to file your application for a miscellaneous structures permits:

Individual Permit: Miscellaneous Structures [Form #35000-53P, PDF 18KB]

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. 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.

Don't Forget!

You must own shoreline in the area where the ski platform or ski jump would be placed.

The placement of buoys around a water ski platform or water ski jump must be approved by the local conservation warden and by the local unit of government. For more information, see our Waterway Markers (Buoys) page, or contact your local DNR conservation warden.

Ski platforms or jumps located more than 200 feet from shore must be lit with a white light during the hours from sunset to sunrise. These structures, no matter how far from shore, should be well marked both day and night to warn boaters of the navigational hazards. Contact your local WI DNR conservation warden for lighting requirements (see Wisconsin DNR Service Center / Regional Offices).

Water Ski Platforms
Application Materials

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

Individual Permit: Water Ski Platform [ZIP 470KB]

Water Ski Platforms
Additional Materials

Water Ski Platforms Sample Drawing:

Water Ski Platform or Jump Sample Drawing [PDF 54KB]

Water Ski Platforms Exemption Materials:

To place a water ski platform without a DNR Permit you must meet ALL three of these requirements:

The platform or jump does not interfere with public rights in navigable waters such as fishing access or protection of fish spawning areas.
The platform or jump does not interfere with the rights of other waterfront property owners such as denying access to neighbor's shoreline.
The platform or jump is located at a site that ensures adequate water depth and clearance for safe water skiing.

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 30.135 and Section 30.61(6)(a), Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB].

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: Friday December 09 2011