After dredging, boaters will dig new Veterans Island Marina

For all its longevity, the Fox River isn't long on consistency. The waterway is always on the move, constantly changing and reinventing itself.

All the same, this treasured river is a recreational gold mine, providing a beautiful venue for outdoor fun.

It's about to get even better. Next spring, the Fox Valley Park District will be making the Fox River more accessible to boaters and fishermen by dredging the popular Veterans Island Marina, which was last done in the mid-1990s when the Hollywood Casino riverboat docked near downtown.

But since it was last dredged, a series of flood events has overflowed the marina with silt and sediment. During frequent high water periods - like those experienced every spring and after a deluge of rain - the situation is exacerbated and the turbid, silt-laden waters drop all that stirred sediment into calm areas like the marina.

It occurs naturally in all rivers. In areas where the current slackens around eddies and coves, silt finds a home. In this section of the Fox, the main channel runs along the west shoreline and has a self-scouring effect. That leaves the east portion - and the marina - subject to sediment buildup, leading to shallow and exposed areas during low water periods like now.

The problem this presents for boaters is that there's not enough water to float their boat - or launch it, for that matter - because silt has displaced the water. Dredging the marina will restore adequate depth to the water and eliminate the inconvenience that results from low water levels.

Mother Nature actually landed a 1-2 punch on the marina. After two flooding events in late 2008, she followed with a series of brutal cold snaps that created huge ice floes. During the freeze-thaw cycles that ensued, boat-sized chunks of ice were forced onto adjacent shore areas - including the marina's boat launch and dock, which suffered the damaging effects.

The dock has since been rebuilt - bigger and better - with a handicap-accessible ramp and a floating dock. Along with the three concrete loading ramps, the area provides access for powerboats, personal watercraft and all forms of nonmotorized boats such as canoes, kayaks and sailboats. And like the best things in life, it's free - unlike other public boat launches that can charge anywhere from $5 to $20.

Say what you will about the dams up and down the Fox River. They are there for the foreseeable future. The impoundments above the dams are ideal play areas for motor boats and fishing. Below the dams, current is peppy enough for paddlers to enjoy. So we really do have the best of both worlds right here on our "own" river.

In addition, the district-owned boat launch at South River Street provides access to the river above the Montgomery Dam. And for nonmotorized crafts and boats with electric motors, Jericho Lake offers the quiet splendor that makes boating so enjoyable.

• Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net