Placing Docks and Swimming Rafts in Johnson Lake - What You Need to Know


Nearly every Johnson Lake property owner places docks and/or swimming rafts into the water to better enjoy a season of fun. The Wisconsin DNR enforces a series of regulations regarding the size, placement, and in some cases permitting required. Read more to learn whether your plans for 2004 fall within state guidelines.

Docks: The DNR says a dock or pier that does not exceed a width of 6 feet, that does not extend beyond the 3-foot water depth, and does not exceed boat density guidelines for the shoreline, generally will not require a permit. The number of berths or moorings (the total of all watercraft at piers, lifts, shelters, etc.) is limited to two for the first 50 feet of frontage and 1 for each additional 50 feet of frontage you own. A special permit is required if that number is exceeded. There are exceptions to some of these generalizations. You can download the DNR's dock planning guide here for more specific information. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file.




A Great Blue Heron takes a walk on one of the many docks placed into Johnson Lake each Spring.

Photo by Jon Okerstrom


Boat Shelters: The DNR says a property owner with 100 feet of shoreline may place up to two single-stall seasonal boat shelters into the water without a permit. Boat shelters must be accessible by dock or pier, and may not include walls or sides. The size is limited to 12x24 feet on lakes smaller than 1,000 acres -- which includes Johnson Lake. Property owners with more shoreline may add additional shelters. Click here for more information.

Swim Rafts: The DNR says a waterfront property owner may place a swim raft in a navigable waterway without obtaining a permit, if the swim raft is not more than 200 square feet in surface area and is not more than 38 inches tall. Larger swim rafts may be placed without a permit, only if they are removed from the water on a daily basis. Learn more with this link.

Posted: Sun - April 4, 2004 at 09:18 PM      

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Content Copyright 2004-2006, Johnson Lake Property Owners Association, Inc.