Clearing of several county rivers planned

St. Joseph County’s rivers are in store for a major clearing, as commissioners this week approved a $15,000 request for removal of deadfall.
Conservation district director Carolyn Grace said the funds are necessary to address a number of trees that fell over and into the river during the fall and winter months. Grace said various stretches of the county’s six rivers have been assessed and several problem areas have been identified.
Grace said a two-person team will be contracted to perform the clearing duties. Already this spring, a portion of the Fawn River was cleared, thanks to existing funds, to allow unobstructed access along portions of that body of water, she added.
Meanwhile, the conservation district plans eight river and shoreline cleanup events this summer.