Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 30.195 (2026)
Changing of stream courses
✓ current as of July 2026
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30.195(1)(1) Permit required. Unless a permit has been issued under this section or authorization has been granted by the legislature, no person may change the course of or straighten a navigable stream.
30.195(2)(a)(a) A riparian owner shall apply to the department for an individual permit in order to engage in activities for which a permit is required under sub. (1).
30.195(2)(b)(b) The notice and hearing provisions of s. 30.208 (3) to (5) apply to an application under par. (a).
30.195(2)(c)(c) The department shall issue an individual permit applied for under this section to a riparian owner if the department determines that all of the following requirements are met:
30.195(2)(c)1.1. The applicant is the owner of any land upon which the change in course or straightening of the navigable stream will occur.
30.195(2)(c)2.2. The proposed change of course or straightening of the navigable stream will improve the economic or aesthetic value of the applicant’s land.
30.195(2)(c)3.3. The proposed change of course or straightening of the navigable stream will not adversely affect the flood flow capacity of the stream or otherwise be detrimental to the public interest.
30.195(2)(c)4.4. The proposed change of course or straightening of the navigable stream will not be detrimental to the rights of other riparian owners located on the stream or all of these riparian owners have consented to the issuance of the permit.
30.195(4)(4) Liability for negligence. No common law liability, and no statutory liability which may be provided elsewhere in these statutes, for damages resulting from the changing of the course of or from the straightening of a stream is in any manner affected by this section, nor does this section create any liability on the part of the state for any such damages, but a person who changes the course of a stream or straightens a stream in accordance with a permit granted pursuant to this section is presumed to have exercised due care in such changing or straightening.
30.195(7)(b)(b) Activity related to the construction, access, or operation of a new manufacturing facility located in an electronics and information technology manufacturing zone designated under s. 238.396 (1m).
30.195 AnnotationDiscussing the elements of proof required for a conviction under sub. (1). 67 Atty. Gen. 265.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5
cases, 1987–2013 · leading case: State v. City of Oak Creek, 2000 WI 9 (Wis. 2000).
State v. City of Oak Creek, 2000 WI 9 (Wis. 2000). “Unless a permit has been granted by the department or authorization has been granted by the legislature, it is unlawful: (a) To construct, dredge or enlarge any artificial waterway, canal, channel, ditch, lagoon, pond, lake or similar waterway where the purpose is ultimate…”
Vill. of Menomonee Falls v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 412 N.W.2d 505 (Wis. Ct. App. 1987). “Section 30.195, Stats., addresses changing the course of, or straightening, a navigable stream.”
Rock-Koshkonong Lake Dist. v. State Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2013 WI 74 (Wis. 2013). “§ 30.195 (2)(c)2 requires consideration of whether the proposed change "will improve the economic or aesthetic value of the applicant's 17 No.”
City of Oak Creek v. State Dep't of Nat. Resources, 518 N.W.2d 276 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994). “, 4 which requires the DNR's authorization and permit for structures and deposits in navigable waters, § 30.195, *435 STATS., 5 which prohibits the changing of the course of a navigable stream without a permit, and § 30.”
Rock-Koshkonong Lake Dist. v. State of Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2011 WI App 115 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). “" Wis. Stat. § 30.195 (2)(c)2. Another statute, Wis.”
— Wis. Stat. § 30.195(1) — 2 cases
State v. City of Oak Creek, 2000 WI 9 (Wis. 2000). “Unless a permit has been granted by the department or authorization has been granted by the legislature, it is unlawful: (a) To construct, dredge or enlarge any artificial waterway, canal, channel, ditch, lagoon, pond, lake or similar waterway where the purpose is ultimate…”
City of Oak Creek v. State Dep't of Nat. Resources, 518 N.W.2d 276 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994). “, 4 which requires the DNR's authorization and permit for structures and deposits in navigable waters, § 30.195, *435 STATS., 5 which prohibits the changing of the course of a navigable stream without a permit, and § 30.”
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