Waterway & Wetland Permits: Beaver Damage

“I want to know more about the removal of beaver dams.” Beavers are one of the few animals capable of altering their environment to suit their needs. The flooding from beaver dams can result in the inundation of large areas with deep standing water where once only shallow, slow-moving water existed.

Plants and animals that are adapted to pond life and associated wetlands quickly establish themselves in the newly flooded area. The environmental benefits provided by beaver ponds and wetlands should be weighed against the damage before implementing any beaver control.

However, Depending on the location and size, beaver ponds can cause significant damage to human interests. Flooding can remove pastures and crops from production and drown stands of trees. Dams can be built inside of culverts and render them usesless.

These are just a few of the problems beaver dams can pose. One common solution to flooding damage caused by beavers is the installation of what is called beaver pipes. This is one way to protect roads, culverts and property from beaver dams and beaver flooding but may not be effective or practical in all flooding situations . Please review the Beaver Damage Control: Guidelines for People with Beaver Damage Problems [PDF 323KB] booklet for solutions that will work best for you.

No Chapter 30 permits are required to remove a beaver dam and related material, and a private landowner, lessees, or occupants may remove beaver dams causing damage or a nuisance without any sort of permit, permission or authorization from the DNR. However, no streambed or lakebed material can be removed, dredged or otherwise taken out of the waterway during the removal process.

A landowner can hire someone or have unpaid help to remove dams on their property. People who assist in removal activities don't need any permits from the DNR, but they must possess written authorization from the landowner when conducting dam removal activities.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.123, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB], Chapter NR 320 [exit DNR], [PDF 168KB], and Chapter NR 12.10 (b)(3), Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 105KB].

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].