LANSING - Emergency dredging in the Great Lakes moved a step closer to reality Wednesday when the House Appropriations committee approved spending $20.9 million to clear 49 bays and harbors.
Lansing - State lawmakers on Thursday took first steps to help harbors and marinas suffering from record-low water levels in the Great Lakes. The Michigan Senate approved spending $21 million on emergency dredging of 49 public harbors along the Great Lakes before the summer boating season gets under way.
Above average precipitation in February helped boost the water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron, according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. February's water level was 576.15 feet, an increase of 2 inches from January's all-time record low, according to the Corps.
So much of Pentwater's well-being hinges on the channel - the 2,500-foot-long entryway from Lake Michigan to the harbor. The channel brings in boats. The boats bring in visitors. The visitors bring in money. And the money sustains the village's shops, restaurants and vacation rental business.
