Do I need a permit to dredge my pond in Pennsylvania?

The maintenance waiver. Removing built-up sediment to restore an artificial pond to its original capacity is waived from a Chapter 105 permit when the drainage area is 100 acres or less, the deepest water is 15 feet or less, and it holds 50 acre-feet or less. Behind a DEP-permitted dam, removing accumulated sediment to the original design capacity is treated as maintenance. Either way, DEP says to run a PNDI environmental review first and get an erosion and sediment control plan in place with your county conservation district; the work may still need a U.S. Army Corps authorization and a PFBC drawdown permit.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.12(a)(14), Waiver of permit requirements This may be outdated

If wetland plants have grown on the muck. DEP's pond page says a dam or pond owner may maintain the pond's design storage capacity even where wetland plants have grown on the built-up sediment; an Army Corps authorization may still be needed.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.12(a)(14), Waiver of permit requirements This may be outdated

Deepening, enlarging, or dredging a natural pond. That isn't maintenance. Under Pennsylvania's Chapter 105 rules, a "body of water" includes any natural or artificial lake or pond, and a "water obstruction" includes a pier, wharf, wall, fill or other structure in, along, across or projecting into it. For ponds and lakes, a structure counts if, at normal pool level, it is in the water or touching the water's edge. The rules cover temporary structures as well as permanent ones. DEP says any change to a pond's cross-section that is not maintenance, such as a new dock, pier or island or making the pond bigger, needs a water obstruction and encroachment permit. Chapter 105 work that doesn't qualify for a waiver or a general permit needs an individual water obstruction and encroachment permit through DEP's Joint Permit Application, reviewed by DEP's regional office or a delegated conservation district. DEP recommends a pre-application meeting. In most cases the same application also covers the federal Army Corps authorization. Fill or dredging in waters or wetlands may also need federal (Army Corps) authorization, usually via DEP.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Sources: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions; Apply for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit (Chapter 105); Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit-7 (PASPGP-7), Part I and Part VI (dated April 27, 2026) This may be outdated

Lowering the water. Lowering the water in a pond, lake or other impoundment needs PFBC's Permit to Draw Off Water from Impoundments when the water body is larger than 1 acre, or at any size when the project needs another state permit (for example a DEP dam permit or a water obstruction and encroachment permit). Apply at least 30 days before the drawdown; there is no fee. PFBC and DEP's dam safety staff review it together. PFBC warns that drawing a pond down after turtles, frogs and salamanders begin hibernating in the mud can kill them. PFBC warns that if you draw a pond down after turtles, frogs and salamanders begin hibernating in the mud, and that mud is exposed, the animals will likely be killed. A drawdown can dry out and partly control plants in the exposed area, especially together with freezing weather.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Apply to Draw Off Water from Impoundments: Drawdown Considerations This may be outdated

The spoil pile. Any earth disturbance needs erosion and sediment control practices (BMPs). A written erosion and sediment control plan is required once the disturbance reaches 5,000 square feet (or if the work could discharge to a High Quality or Exceptional Value water), and it must be kept on site. Disturbing 1 acre or more generally needs an NPDES permit for construction stormwater. County conservation districts review these plans and may charge a review fee. Keep the dredged material where it can't wash back into the pond or a stream.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Frequently Asked Questions: Erosion and Sediment Control (rev. Aug 12, 2026), FAQ #5 This may be outdated

Digging. Digging with machines? Notify PA One Call (811) 3 to 10 business days ahead, homeowners included.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: PA One Call: Homeowner FAQs; PA Act 287 as amended This may be outdated