Municipal Dam Grant Program
Forecasted
The Municipal Dam Grant Program supports Wisconsin municipalities with engineering and construction for dam repair, modification, or removal to address documented safety deficiencies.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2028 (60% level plans and specifications) | March 2028 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1 million per award; state share depends on project type
Summary: Supports engineering and construction to address safety deficiencies at municipally owned dams through repair, modification, or removal.
Key Information: The dam must have safety deficiencies identified in a DNR inspection directive, concurrence letter, or administrative order.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Municipal Dam Grant Program shares eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, reconstruction, modification, and abandonment and removal. Repair and modification projects address dam safety; removal projects permanently take a dam out of service. The program supports work prompted by identified safety deficiencies.
For repair projects, planning includes an analysis of the hazard the dam poses to current downstream development. Removal projects require analysis of the floodplain with the dam gone. DNR ranks applications on factors including hazard potential, project purpose, proactive safety measures, public interest, inspection history, ability to proceed, and financial considerations.
