Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 30.15 (2026)
Penalty for unlawful obstruction of navigable waters
✓ current as of July 2026
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30.15(1)(1) Obstructions penalized. Any person who does any of the following shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $500 for each offense:
30.15(1)(a)(a) Unlawfully obstructs any navigable waters and thereby impairs the free navigation thereof.
30.15(1)(b)(b) Unlawfully places in navigable waters or in any tributary thereof any substance that may float into and obstruct any such waters or impede their free navigation.
30.15(1)(c)(c) Constructs or maintains in navigable waters, or aids in the construction or maintenance therein, of any boom not authorized by law.
30.15(1)(d)(d) Constructs or places any structure or deposits any material in navigable waters in violation of s. 30.12 or 30.13.
30.15(3)(3) Each day a separate violation. Each day during which an obstruction, deposit or structure exists in violation of sub. (1) is a separate offense.
30.15 AnnotationMunicipalities have the power to construct bridges but are not authorized to construct or maintain bridges that constitute an unnecessary obstruction or hazard to the free use of navigable waters. A bridge undoubtedly is an obstruction. The question becomes is the obstruction unnecessary or unreasonable under the circumstances. When the bridge was necessary, reasonable, and existing before the plaintiff moved into the area, the city was not required to abate the obstruction. Capt. Soma Boat Line, Inc. v. City of Wisconsin Dells, 79 Wis. 2d 10, 255 N.W.2d 441 (1977).
30.15 AnnotationIf an unattended and anchored boat is left on navigable water for an unreasonable length of time, it constitutes a violation. 63 Atty. Gen. 601.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12
cases, 1966–2016 · leading case: State v. Kelley, 2001 WI 84 (Wis. 2001).
State v. Kelley, 2001 WI 84 (Wis. 2001). “12 (1997-98) and Wis. Stat. § 30.15 (1997-98). Contrary to the majority's proviso in footnote 5, the opinion of the court of appeals and both parties' briefs to this court explicitly addressed issues *799 arising from the circuit court's application of § 30.”
Munger v. Seehafer, 2016 WI App 89 (Wis. Ct. App. 2016). “The gravel fill remained as of June 10, 2009, and Munger was issued two citations for obstructing navigable waters, contrary to Wis. Stat. § 30.15 (l)(d). 5 *764 Munger agreed to a finding of guilt as to one of the citations in exchange for dismissal of the other.”
Gillen v. City of Neenah, 580 N.W.2d 628 (Wis. 1998). “Section 30.15(4), ch. 441, Laws of 1959. The 1959 legislature thus expressly recognized the citizen's right to enjoin and abate public nuisances as separate and independent from the state's right to enjoin and abate public nuisances.”
Hixon v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 146 N.W.2d 577 (Wis. 1966). “That the fill is an obstruction to navigation in Plum Lake and, as such, is a violation of section 30.15, Statutes. "3. That in accordance with the foregoing findings of fact, it has authority under section 30.”
Sterlingworth Condo. Ass'n v. State, Dep't of Nat. Resources, 556 N.W.2d 791 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “Section 30.15(l)(d), Stats. "Statutes relating to the same subject matter are to be construed together and harmonized.”
De Nava v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 409 N.W.2d 151 (Wis. Ct. App. 1987). “12(1) is an "unlawful obstruction to navigable waters” under sec. 30.15, Stats. By virtue of sec. 30.15(4), such an obstruction is a public nuisance which may be abated.”
State v. Barkdoll, 298 N.W.2d 539 (Wis. 1980). “See also Notes & Comments, Conveyances —Section 30.15 — The “Thirty-Year” Statute, 1947 Wis.”
Omernick v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 301 N.W.2d 437 (Wis. 1981). “” 3 Sec. 30.15, Stats. 1973, provides: “30.15 Penalty for unlawful obstruction of navigable waters.”
State v. Deetz, 224 N.W.2d 407 (Wis. 1974). “As a separate cause of action, the state alleged that the defendants had violated sec. 30.15, Stats., supra, by unlawfully obstructing navigable waters.”
United States v. Reserve Mining Co., 380 F. Supp. 11 (D. Minnesota 1974). “Minnesota joins the United States in the claim that the discharge into the water violates WPC 15.”
Mazurkiewicz v. Pawinski, 145 N.W.2d 186 (Wis. 1966). “” Sec. 30.15, Stats., provides as follows: “30.”
United States v. Reserve Mining Co., 394 F. Supp. 233 (D. Minnesota 1974). “The Court also found that the discharge marked a continuing violation of Sec.”
— Wis. Stat. § 30.15(1)(a) — 1 case
State v. Kelley, 2001 WI 84 (Wis. 2001). “12 (1997-98) and Wis. Stat. § 30.15 (1997-98). Contrary to the majority's proviso in footnote 5, the opinion of the court of appeals and both parties' briefs to this court explicitly addressed issues *799 arising from the circuit court's application of § 30.”
— Wis. Stat. § 30.15(4) — 2 cases
Gillen v. City of Neenah, 580 N.W.2d 628 (Wis. 1998). “Section 30.15(4), ch. 441, Laws of 1959. The 1959 legislature thus expressly recognized the citizen's right to enjoin and abate public nuisances as separate and independent from the state's right to enjoin and abate public nuisances.”
United States v. Reserve Mining Co., 380 F. Supp. 11 (D. Minnesota 1974). “Minnesota joins the United States in the claim that the discharge into the water violates WPC 15.”
— Wis. Stat. § 30.15(l)(d) — 1 case
Sterlingworth Condo. Ass'n v. State, Dep't of Nat. Resources, 556 N.W.2d 791 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “Section 30.15(l)(d), Stats. "Statutes relating to the same subject matter are to be construed together and harmonized.”
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