Submerged Logging
Long ago, timber companies used lakes and rivers to transport their logs to a sawmill. The sawmills also created "hot ponds" at the mill to pre-soak their logs to clean and thaw them before sawing. Unfortunately, some of these logs sank to the bottom of the water body and have remained there to this day. Logs that sank in deep water or were buried in the mud have been very well preserved and are sought after today for their unique old growth characteristics.
By law, these logs are owned by the state of Wisconsin if they are located on submerged State lands (
§ 170.12
). Should an individual or company wish to recover these sunken logs they must get a permit from BCPL and they must pay the State a fee for the logs that are recovered. Permits also require approvals from the DNR Waterways Program, the State Historical Society, and possibly the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - if they have jurisdiction.
BCPL
7271 Main St., P.O. Box 277
Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539
715-277-3366
It is strongly recommended that you receive a preliminary approval from the DNR as well as from the State Historical Society prior to applying for a permit.
US Army Corps of Engineers - St. Paul District:
USACE_Requests_WI@usace.army.mil