About Us
Activity Groups
Related Programs
Online Help
Waterway & Wetland Permits: Withdrawals & Irrigation
Activities that allow or result in the withdrawal of water from the state's lakes and rivers may require several permits or approvals from the Department of Natural Resources. One of the most common activities is withdrawing water to use in the irrigation of farm fields.
“Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee when I want to...”
DNR Photo
|
|
Did you know?
Only riparian owner has a right to use water for domestic purposes! So no permit is required to pump water to water the riparian owners lawn or private gardens, provided that produce from the gardens is not sold (noncommercial gardening). Such withdrawals must be of nominal amounts.
But Remember! Registration or Permits are needed for any withdrawal that results in over 100,000 GPD in any 30-day period.
Pumping or withdrawing water from a stream OR a lake with an outlet
A permit and fee IS required if withdrawing water from a stream OR a lake with an outlet for the purpose of
- Maintaining the normal flow of any navigable stream.
- Bringing back or maintaining the normal level of any navigable lake.
- Agricultural irrigation (watering agricultural crops, tree plantations, or golf courses, etc.).
Please use this form to submit your application for an Irrigation 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. 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.
Did you know?
If the withdrawal itself does not require a permit you may still need a permit if there is a structure (e.g. intake structure) located below the OHWM!.
The Deartment can also set minimum water levels to protect public rights and resources. This means you may need a permit if an order has been created establishing a minimum level on the waterbody at which no withdrawl or consumptive use of water is allowed.
Pumping or withdrawing water from a lake with NO outlet (e.g. seepage lake)
To determine if you lake is a seepage lake please see the Wisconsin Lakes Book
A permit and fee is required if withdrawing water from any stream or a lake will result in a water loss averaging 2 million gallons per day in a 30 day period.
Water use registration or permit is required for ALL withdrawals greater than One hundred thousand (100,000) gallons per day (Seventy gallons per minute) in any thirty (30) day period.
To obtain registration or permitting information please contact: Kristy Rogers OR Dino Tsoris
Fill my tanker with water at a highway stream crossing
The general public has the right to use and take water from any spring, creek or running water that may be found running in or across the limits of any public highway. However, the water cannot be used for irrigation or agricultural purposes.
Applicable statutes and codes include Section 86.17, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 144KB].
|
How do I save and open the permit materials in ZIP format? • Irrigation Permit Application [ZIP 529KB] • For Water Use Registration or Permitting forms contact:Kristy Rogers Dino Tsoris |
Withdrawals & Irrigation Sample Drawing:
Withdrawals & Irrigation Exemption Materials:There are no exemption materials for Withdrawals & Irrigation activities. |
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 statutes and codes include Section 30.18, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB], Section 281.35 [exit DNR], and Section 86.17, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 144KB].
RSS