Chapter 30: Navigable Waters

Chapter 30 implements the Public Trust Doctrine by defining and regulating the activities of riparian property owners in or adjacent to public navigable waters. Chapter 30 regulates placement of structures, dredging, and similar activities; permits for these activities are handled by the Department of Natural Resources.

A stream is navigable if it has a bed and banks and you can float a canoe or other small craft in the stream at some time of the year, even if only during spring floods.

The riparian normally owns the streambed up to the center of the stream. The State owns the bed of natural lakes, while the riparian owns lakebeds on flowages or raised lakes, out to the original lakebed. In all cases, the water is public and held in trust by the State.

Waterway and wetland permits
(Exits site)

Chapter 30 Wisconsin Statutes
(PDF 441 KB)