Reference
Pond and lake permit glossary
- Acre-foot
The volume of water that covers one acre one foot deep. 1 acre = 43,560 square feet; 1 acre-foot = 325,851 gallons (Penn State).
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Pond Measurements: Area, Volume and Residence Time (updated May 19, 2025) This may be outdated
- Body of water
Chapter 105 defines a body of water as a natural or artificial lake, pond, reservoir, swamp, marsh or wetland.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated
- Chapter 91 permit
The joint DEP/PFBC approval needed before using an algaecide, herbicide or fish-control chemical in surface water. Any herbicide or algaecide in a pond needs a joint DEP/PFBC Chapter 91 permit first, at any amount.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Water Quality Permitting for Pesticide Applications in Pennsylvania: FAQ (rev. Feb 21, 2025), FAQ #2, #3, #8, #10, #11, #28, #29 This may be outdated
- Chapter 105
Pennsylvania's rules for dams and for structures and activities in, along or across waters (25 Pa. Code Chapter 105).
- Conservation district
A county-level office that reviews erosion and sediment plans and, where delegated, Chapter 105 general permits.
- Delegated conservation district
A conservation district that DEP has authorized to handle parts of Chapter 105. DEP publishes a map.
- Drainage area
The land that drains to a point on a stream or to a pond. It decides whether some dams need a permit.
- Drawdown
Lowering the water level in a pond or impoundment. Over 1 acre (or with another state permit): PFBC drawdown permit, 30+ days ahead, no fee.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Apply to Draw Off Water from Impoundments This may be outdated
- EIR (Environmental Inspection Report)
The report PFBC requires for grass carp in larger waterbodies. Over 5 surface acres: an Environmental Inspection Report and a Pennsylvania Bulletin notice, which slows review.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Triploid Grass Carp Stocking Permit Application (PFBC-TGC-005, rev. 7/24), instruction 10 This may be outdated
- Floodway
Chapter 105 defines a floodway as the stream channel plus the parts of the neighboring floodplain needed to carry the 100-year flood, usually as mapped by FEMA. Where FEMA hasn't mapped a floodway, it is assumed to extend 50 feet from the top of the stream bank unless there is evidence otherwise.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated
- GP (general permit)
A pre-written DEP permit for common small projects; you register under it instead of applying for an individual permit. Small projects often fit a DEP general permit, but only if they meet every term of it.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits This may be outdated
- HAB (harmful algal bloom)
A bloom of cyanobacteria that can make toxins. Suspect a harmful algal bloom? Keep people and pets out and report it to the PA HABs Task Force.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs hub) This may be outdated
- HQ / EV
High Quality and Exceptional Value: Pennsylvania's special-protection classes for waters. GP-4: intakes and outfalls; not in HQ/EV waters or wetlands; $200 registration.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits; fees from 25 Pa. Code § 105.13(c)(2) This may be outdated
- Joint Permit Application
DEP's individual Chapter 105 permit application, which in most cases also covers the Army Corps. No general permit fits? DEP's Joint Permit Application (an individual permit).
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Apply for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit (Chapter 105) This may be outdated
- Jurisdictional dam
A dam big enough to need a DEP dam permit. Dam permit if drainage > 100 acres, depth > 15 feet or storage > 50 acre-feet (on a watercourse).
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.3, Scope This may be outdated
- NOS (Notice of Stocking)
PFBC's free notice required before stocking fish. File PFBC's free Notice of Stocking before stocking any pond; keep a copy on site; no pet-store fish.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 58 Pa. Code § 71a.5, Notice of Stocking to the Commission This may be outdated
- Normal pool
A pond's usual water level. For ponds, lakes and reservoirs, a structure counts as in or along the water if, at normal pool level, it is in the water or touching the water's edge.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated
- PNDI
Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory review: a screening for threatened, endangered and special concern species, done online through PA Conservation Explorer.
- SLLA (Submerged Lands License Agreement)
An agreement with DEP for structures on state-owned navigable waters. On state-owned navigable waters, docks also need a Submerged Lands License Agreement.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Submerged Lands License Agreement This may be outdated
- TGC (triploid grass carp)
Sterile grass carp used to control underwater plants. PFBC grass carp permit needed for each waterbody before buying or stocking; $85 fee, returned if denied.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 58 Pa. Code § 71a.10, Triploid grass carp This may be outdated
- Water obstruction
Docks, piers, walls and fill in or touching any pond or lake are regulated 'water obstructions'.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated
- Watercourse
Chapter 105 defines a watercourse as a channel or conveyance of surface water with a defined bed and banks, natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated