Public Waters Inventory Program

Program description

Public waters are held in trust by the state for the benefit of all Minnesotans. As such, the DNR is charged under state law with regulating activities within public waters, to ensure the public’s collective interest in those waters is protected.

The Water Regulations Unit oversees the administration of the Public Waters Work Permit Program. This program, begun in 1937, regulates water development activities below the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) in public waters and public waters wetlands. These areas are identified on maps available for viewing on the DNR’s Public Waters Inventory (PWI) Maps webpage.

Examples of development activities addressed by this program include filling, excavation, shore protection, bridges and culverts, structures, docks, marinas, water level controls, dredging, and dams. DNR Area Hydrologists serve as the primary contacts for this program. The program staff in St. Paul provide policy guidance, program coordination with other water and wetland resource protection programs, permit decision appeal processing, and permit data management services.

Public Waters Inventory (PWI)

The Water Regulations Unit oversees the administration of the original public waters inventory conducted in the late 1970's, maintains the inventory records, and responds to inquiries about the inventory.

Public Waters Inventory maps are also available for download. See the DNR’s Public Waters Inventory (PWI) Maps webpage and PWI Maps Download webpage.

The DNR has launched an eight year long PWI Update Project to make corrections to the PWI.

Public drainage systems

Information concerning docks

General Permit issued by DNR to MnDOT

Additional resources

Program personnel

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