Dam abandonment and removal
Similar to other kinds of infrastructure, dams have a design life and do not last forever. Economic, social, legal and environmental factors all play a significant role in the decision whether to maintain or remove a dam.
Reasons for removal
There are several reasons why dam owners choose to abandon their permit for a dam and remove the structure. Dam owners may be reluctant or unable to spend the amount of money necessary to repair and/or maintain the dam. In other cases, they have selected to remove a dam that causes a significant environmental impact or no longer serves its intended purpose.
There are also dams that were never authorized and if there is not a willing entity to complete the authorization process and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance, the structure is often removed.
Environmental impacts and benefits
Dams can provide many benefits to their owners and the general public including hydroelectric generation, recreational opportunities, fishing opportunities and water supply. However, dams can also have a negative impact on the waterways they impound.
The most significant benefits of dam removal can include:
- Allows fish and aquatic organism passage;
- Reestablishing riverine habitat areas;
- normalized temperature regimes;
- improved water clarity;
- improved dissolved oxygen concentrations;
- normalized sediment and energy transport; and
- improved biological diversity.
Exemptions and permits
- There are no exemptions for any dam abandonment or removal project.
- Visit Water permits - Find the "Dams" category, then find the "Abandonment and removal" application type, then click "Begin IP application".
Other local, state, and federal regulations may also apply.
Financial Assistance
The Dam Removal Grant Program provides reimbursement for 100 percent of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 for any owner or person with has obtained legal access to the property who wishes to remove a dam.
The Municipal Dam Grant Program provides a cost-sharing opportunity for municipally owned dams. The program supports eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal up to a maximum of $1,000,000.
Laws
Applicable statutes for dam removals are ss. 31.18 and 31.185, Wis. Stats. Statute language can be found in Chapter 31, Wis. Stats..
History
Records indicate that over 650 dams that were constructed in the 1800s to early 1900s were removed after they had outlived their useful purpose. Over 150 dams have been removed from Wisconsin streams since 1960. Removed dams have ranged in size from small dams on trout streams, such as the Cartwright Dam on Shell Creek (Washburn County), medium size dams such as the Ontario Dam on the Kickapoo River (Vernon County) and fairly large dams on warmwater streams such as the North Avenue Dam on the Milwaukee River (Milwaukee County). Improvements in water quality, habitat and biodiversity have been noted at many dam removal sites.
In more recent years, Wisconsin has seen aging dams fall into disrepair. Other dams have been adversely impacted by flood events. Dam owners have the option of repairing the dam to meet current standards or abandoning the permits for the dam and removing it from the waterway. Dam removal generally costs a fraction of the cost to reconstruct the dam.
Contact information
DNR Dam Safety
DNR Dam Safety Program, WT/3
101 S Webster St
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707–7921
