Since initiating a half-mile dredging project in December 2011, the Lake Havasu Marine Association has been responsible for thousands of recreational boaters being able to utilize a deep-water channel to safely navigate between the lake and the upper river through Topock Gorge. And while it’s still navigable, the natural silting process of the river has reduced the depth of the channel at the southern half.

Dredging on Lake Havasu, which borders Arizona and California, will commence on Monday. Courtesy Lake Havasu Marine Association

So, in order to restore the channel to its intended depth, the association is moving forward with “Dredge-Deeper,” a tune-up dredging that begins Monday (July 27) and is expected to last about 10 days (dredging will be done at night to minimize inconvenience to boaters). The dredging, which is 100 percent privately funded with monies raised by the Lake Havasu Marine Association, is not an inexpensive undertaking, but a necessary one to insure continued access, safety and enjoyment for all Lake Havasu boaters.

According to a release from the 501-C3 non-profit organization, any donations raised for “Dredge-Deeper” will be used exclusively for the project and are tax deductible. The organization also extended its sincere thanks and gratitude to those who generously donated to fund the original deep-water channel construction, including Craig Reynolds, John Hughes, Art and Maureen Tate, Barbara Cross, Chip Romer, Chet Hitt, Gary Smith, Jon Roth, and Wayne and Larry Minor.

If you’d like to participate in this fund-raising effort, the Lake Havasu Marine Association will send you a new 40-minute DVD with the latest information on Lake Havasu for any $100 donation or more (check out the DVD trailer here). Donations by check should be sent to: Lake Havasu Marine Association, 1642 McCulloch Blvd., #173, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406. Donations by credit card are accepted at: www.gofundme.com/ybfecg