Waterway & Wetland Permits: Stream Realignment

“I want to realign a stream, change a stream course, relocate a stream, or enclose a waterway into a pipe drain, conduit or storm sewer. Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee?” A permit and fee are required to alter the course of a navigable stream. Because of the potential negative impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and natural scenic beauty, the review of projects of this type can be very lengthy, and require an engineering analysis and an Environmental Assessment (EA).

In most cases, the purpose of realigning and reconfiguring a stream reach is to obtain a stable alignment, meander, and cross-section, and restore natural floodplain processes.

This goal may be obtained by re-locating the stream away from an eroding stream bank and constructing a more natural channel to create a vegetated meandering alignment, with various fish habitat features. therefore restoring the proper stream function and form along a critical reach of stream.

In order to find out if your project site is either a mapped wetland or a floodplain, and to find out if local zoning restrictions could affect your project, contact the Water Management Specialist covering the county where your project is located BEFORE filing your permit application.

After contacting the Water Management Secialist, please use the application for a Stream Realignment Permit.

• Individual Permit Application: Stream Realignment [ZIP 663KB]

Send the completed application materials 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. Don't forget to look at the Stream Realignment Sample Drawing that is included with the permit application materials to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.195 and Section 30.196, 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].