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Dam Removal Grant Program

The Dam Removal Grant Program provides reimbursement for 100 percent of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 for any owner who wishes to remove a dam.

  • Applications are accepted on a continual basis.
  • Awards are made on a first come first served basis until all of the funding is obligated.

Who can apply

Counties, cities, villages, towns, tribes, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts and private dam owners can apply for grant funds to remove a dam they own. Any person can apply to receive funds to remove an abandoned dam if they have obtained legal access to the property on which the dam is located.

Abandoned dams are those declared abandoned using the process under s. 31.187, Wis. Stats [PDF exit DNR].

Eligibility

The DNR will reimburse 100 percent of eligible project costs up to a maximum grant award of $50,000. Eligible project costs include labor, materials and equipment directly related to planning the actual removal, the dam removal itself and the restoration of the impoundment. The project sponsor is responsible for ineligible costs and project costs in excess of the maximum grant award.

Note: An applicant may not receive a grant from both the Municipal Dam Grant Program and the Dam Removal Grant Program for the removal of the same dam.

Deadlines

Applications are accepted continually. To be considered for funding, applications must be complete and meet basic eligibility criteria. Funding decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis based on the application receipt date.

Applying

Application Materials

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Reimbursement

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Contact

Contact information
For additional information, contact:
Uriah Monday
State Dam Safety Engineer
608-225-6716
Wendy Peich
DNR Community Financial Assistance
608-852-1358