ST JOSEPH TOWNSHIP (AP) - The St. Joseph River is down this spring.

Reduced water levels can make it hard for recreational boats to navigate the river to where it empties into Lake Michigan in Berrien County.

Silt needs to be removed to make the water deeper for recreational watercraft.

Cash-strapped local governments can't afford to dredge up the silt. The federal government covers the cost of dredging only where there is commercial shipping.

So some people who store their powerboats, cruisers and sailboats at marinas in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area are pooling their money to pay for the dredging themselves. Their contributions total about $40,000 so far.