Your permit plan: Lower or drain the water

PFBC Permit to Draw Off Water from Impoundments

PFBC, reviewed with DEP dam safety staff

Form: PFBC Application to Draw Off Water from Impoundments (updated March 2026; file pfbc-dd01)

Timing: Apply at least 30 days before the drawdown.

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.

What to have ready

• The impoundment's name, county, municipality and receiving stream.
• The DEP dam ID number, if the dam has one.
• Surface area, maximum depth, and how far below normal pool you'll lower it.
• Method (valve, gate, stoplog, siphon or pump) and the proposed dates.
• Where any fish will be moved.
• The purpose; for dam, dredging, shoreline, beach or dock work, the DEP supplement with plans and photos.
• A map that locates the impoundment (USGS topographic or PennDOT county highway map).

• PFBC: Apply to Draw Off Water from Impoundments
• Application form (PDF)

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Apply to Draw Off Water from Impoundments This may be outdated

Maintenance dredging waiver (man-made ponds)

DEP

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.

What to have ready

• Records showing the pond's original depth or capacity, if you have them.
• A PNDI environmental review receipt (PA Conservation Explorer).
• An erosion and sediment control plan for the dredged material (your conservation district).

• 25 Pa. Code § 105.12
• PA Conservation Explorer (PNDI review)

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 Code § 105.12(a)(14), Waiver of permit requirements This may be outdated