LANSING, MI (WKZO) -- Michigan marinas are being left high and dry by low water levels in the great lakes.   Senator John Proos is backing bills that would allow towns to get low interest loans to dredge their harbors and to literally keep their summer boating season afloat. This would be in addition to the 21-million for dredging that Governor Snyder is proposing in his budget.

This year’s snowfall, which has been mostly lake effect hasn’t helped much.  The kind of storms that would help replenish the supply is the system that brings water from elsewhere to the area, like the one that is expected to just graze the state tonight, dumping on Berrien County.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the lakes rose by two inches in February after hitting a record low in January.  Forecasters expect the levels to remain below their long-term average over the next six months.