Streambank Erosion Control

Question: I am concerned about erosion along my stream or riverfront property. What should I do to protect the streambank? Do I need to obtain a permit?

Answer: Natural shoreline features provide erosion control in various ways. For example, stream meanders help slow the velocity of water along with vegetation, which also helps stabilize the bank when streams swell with water. Every shoreline is exposed to different natural events and human activities that can cause erosion. A small amount of soil erosion may not be a cause for any concern, but intervention may be needed on some shorelines.

If your property is on a river or stream, follow the steps below to learn about appropriate erosion control methods. Permits will generally be required to place streambank structures such as fiber logs, rock riprap or any type of seawall.

Because of their potential for harming fish and wildlife habitats and other public rights, the construction of seawalls is rarely permitted. For more information on erosion control methods, please see Lakeshore and Streambank Erosion Control Information.

Step 1

Learn about erosion control methods for streambank protection. To learn more about various methods for protecting streambanks, click on one of the methods listed below:

Biological (Biostabilization)
Vegetated Armoring (Integrated Bank Treatment)
Traditional Riprap
Seawall

Step 2

Determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit. Depending on your site location and features, general permits are available for Biostabilization projects using vegetation and biological materials, and for Integrated Bank Treatment using a combination of rock, vegetation and biological materials. If you are replacing a pre-existing seawall or rip-rap proceed to step 3.

If you are starting a new project or repairing pre-exisiting rip-rap, please follow the steps below to verify your project location and to determine if you are elgible for a general permit or if you must apply for an individual permit.

Open the Wisconsin DNR Surface Water Data Viewer
Near the top of your screen there will be a series of horizontal links with a blue background. Open the link titled "Find Location". Once this link is clicked, a list of ways to find your location will appear on the left side of your screen. Choose the method that makes the most sense to you. Once you have found your location, you should see a map of your location on the right of your screen.
Again, near the top of your screen there will be a series of horizontal links with a blue background. Open the link titled "Layers". Once this link is clicked, a list of folders will appear on the left side of your screen. Locate the folder titled "Permits & Related Data"
Click on the folder icon () that appears to the left of the title "Permits & Related Data". Once this folder is opened you will see a list of links. Find the one titled "Erosion Control General Permit Availability".
To the left of the link titled "Erosion Control General Permit Availability" you will see an empty checkbox (). Click this box to check it (). The map of your location on the right of your screen should now be color coded.
Now you are ready to determine what streambank erosion control General Permit you are eligible for based on your location. Below the series of horizontal links with a blue background there are 9 white buttons. Choose the button labled "Identify" (), which should then 'glow' yellow when it is selected () As you move your mouse over the map, your cursor will appear as a plus sign (+). Click your cursor over the location of your project.
Once you have clicked the plus sign on your project location, a listing of information will appear on the left side of your screen. Scroll down to the area title "Erosion Control General Permit Availability" and look for the sublisting titled "Potential GP Availability". The information contained here identifies which General Permit you are elgible for. Continue to to step 3 for a permit application for the erosion control method that is elgible for your area

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

Step 3

Apply for a General Permit. To apply for a General Permit, open and print BOTH the General Permit application packet for your desired activity, and the Feesheet. For the Integrated Bank Treatment application, you must also fill out the Bank Erosion Potential Index (BEPI) worksheet.

Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet, to the location identified on the form. If your project will not meet the conditions of a General Permit, you'll need to apply for an Individual Permit.

Notice: Remember when applying for the Streambank Erosion Control General Permits you must list the type of vegetation (seeds, cuttings, etc.) and show their location on your drawing as part of a vegetation plan. In our experience, this key detail is often overlooked and causes delays.

Refer to the Shoreland Habitat: Wisconsin Biology Technical Note 1 [PDF 6.5M] or the NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 643A: Shoreland Habitat [PDF 31KB] to see the recommended practice standards for stabilizing the shoreline and establishing native vegetation. On your application, list the types of plants and the seeding or planting density.

If you are unsure of where to purchase native plant species, you may reference our list of Native Plant Nurseries and Shoreland Restoration Consultants in Wisconsin. Do not include non-native invasive or native aggressive species in the vegetation plan. Refer to our Invasive Species List to be aware of these species. Additionally, the Wisconsin State Herbarium [exit DNR] provides detailed information about the numerous plant species inhabiting Wisconsin.

If you are asking yourself "Why am I being asked for all of this?" visit our Shoreland Management pages and read through the many topics listed under "resources" and "research" to gain an understanding of the importance of vegetation for shoreland stability, as well as, for habitat and water quality.

Step 4

Apply for an Individual Permit. Streambank projects which don't qualify for a general permit require an Individual Permit. To apply for an Individual Permit, open and print BOTH of the following files:

Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet, to the county where your project is located. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and NR 328-Subchapter III, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 44KB].

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: Tuesday July 08 2008