Where can I find out about requirements for damming, diverting or altering a creek, stream, or other natural watercourse?

Damming and diversion of natural watercourses are usually handled at the local and state levels.

You may want to contact your municipal zoning department about any zoning or permit requirements needed to dam, dig or divert a stream or natural water body. You may also want to contact your state and county authorities to inquire about permit requirements.  Many issues are regulated by the states themselves, and contacting the state directly may be the best action.

The discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States is regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act:

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Activities in waters of the United States regulated under this program include fill for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees), infrastructure development (such as highways and airports) and mining projects. Section 404 requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States, unless the activity is exempt from Section 404 regulation (e.g. certain farming and forestry activities)

Read more from Wetland Regulatory Authority:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/outreach/upload/reg_authority.pdf (PDF, 2pp., 687KB, about PDF)

For more information on this regulation, you may contact the Office of Water at your Regional EPA Office. 

To find regional water information and services for protecting and restoring water resources click on a region in the map on the right hand side of the page: http://www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/water.html

Another resource is the Office of Wetlands, Oceans & Watersheds.  Contact information for this Office is online at http://www.epa.gov/owow/contact.html

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