Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 300-399 - Environmental Protection - Water Regulation
Chapter NR 330 - Warning signs and portages for dams
Section NR 330.04 - Devices and portage standards

1. Signs or devices advising boaters of a dam. These signs and devices shall be legible a minimum of 300 feet upstream from the dam.

2. Signs or devices shall be placed downstream of gated spillways and/or powerhouses to advise boaters of potentially dangerous, rapidly changing currents. Placement sites may be on the dam, powerhouse, shore or proximate boat landings. These signs and devices shall be legible a minimum of 300 feet downstream from the dam.

3. The department may order the installation of suitable warning devices to be used at remote operated, gated spillways during the opening and closing of the gates.

4. Portage information signs shall be placed at the portage takeout points and at such intervals as are necessary to provide adequate information to anyone portaging the dam.

1. A portage shall be a clear access route around a dam and its appurtenances, on which a boat and supplies can be carried without unreasonable obstruction, danger or difficulty. Portages shall be of the shortest reasonable distance considering topography, safety, location of buildings and obstructions and protection of dam embankments from erosion.

2. A single portage around a series of closely spaced dams on a stream may be provided by the dam owner or owners, in lieu of individual portages, by the provisions of a conveyance around the series of dams. Information regarding this conveyance shall be provided at the takeout points at the upstream and downstream dams in the series.