Drainage districts are local governmental entities, separate from the county but named according to the county in which the district functions. They are created by the County Circuit Court primarily to drain lands for agricultural use but may include other purposes. The majority of drainage districts in Wisconsin were formed in the early 1900s and established a legal mechanism for managing drains and related facilities to ensure reliable drainage. Drainage districts can include and benefit both agricultural and non-agricultural lands. Property owners whose land benefits from being in a drainage district pay assessments to cover the cost of constructing, maintaining, and repairing district drains. More information:
- Frequently Asked Questions (see below)
- Drainage Districts - additional information (WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection)
- Dane Co. Drainage District Information
- Annual Reports
- Districtwide Petitions and Orders
- Drainage District Maps provided by the Dane County Drainage Board (PDF)
- General District Notices
- Meetings and Minutes
- DATCP County Drainage Board Handbook (PDF)
Maps & Resources
- Access Dane - locate parcel and display on map (instructions for use - PDF)
- DCiMap - Dane County Interactive Map (instructions for use - PDF)
- Drainage District Metadata for GIS polygons (PDF)
- Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 - Watershed Program
Recent Legislation
- Wisconsin Drainage Program Update - Fall 2016 (PDF)
- 2017 Wisconsin Act 115
- Summary of 2017 Wisconsin Act 115 (WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection)
- Wisconsin Assembly Ponders Significant Changes to Chapter 88 Drainage Legislation
by John C. Mitby and Elizabeth L. Spencer
Frequently Asked Questions*
*Information provided by the Dane County Drainage Board