Dock Permits

All docks, hoists, buoys, etc. placed on public waters ¹,² must be permitted and signed.

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¹Docks on the Mississippi River, Federal reservoirs and other jurisdictional waters of the Corps of Engineers are permitted through the USACE.

Under an agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources any boat dock application on jurisdictional waters of the Corp of Engineers shall be processed by the ACOE.

The jurisdictional waters of the ACOE in Iowa are defined as the Mississippi River, the Missouri River, the Des Moines River from the mouth to Fort Dodge, the first three miles from the mouth of the Iowa River and all Federal reservoirs and impoundments.

Docks on the Missouri River are permitted by the Omaha District of the ACOE.
Contact: John Moeschen at 402-896-0896

Docks on the Mississippi River, the Des Moines River from the mouth to Fort Dodge, the first three miles from the mouth of the Iowa River and all Federal reservoirs and impoundments are permitted by the Rock Island District of the ACOE. The application can be downloaded below or may be obtained by calling 309-794-5376.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dock Permit Application
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dock Permit Application

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²Docks on a Dock Management Area (DMA) are permitted through a Dock Assignment and Permit (542-1355) application with the Iowa DNR Park Bureau. DMA applications may be mailed to the Park Office where the DMA is located. For more please review the Summary of Dock Management Area Rules information sheet.