PORTAGE | Like the crocuses and daffodils poking their heads through the recently thawed soil, it's one of those sure signs spring is coming and eventually will stick around.

Today marks the beginning of boating season as the Portage Public Marina opens for its 14th season.

On Tuesday, workers were readying the marina, turning on water at the docks and checking for leaks. One lone boat was moored at the facility.

But Marina Director Allen Ekdahl expects boats to begin arriving later this week. When the weather becomes more accommodating, he anticipates the some 200 slips will be full.

"We've got a couple of empty slips right now, but we have a waiting list," Ekdahl said Tuesday.

This week, Portage advertised bids to remove an obstruction at the entrance to the waterway from the marina. A sandbar covers about half of the entrance, but it is still passable, he said. The work to clear the entrance will likely take place in June after the annual salmon run.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also anticipated to dredge the waterway, inner harbor and lake approach of the Burns Waterway to improve access to the public marina and the several private marinas that dot the waterway.

Ekdahl said despite heavy rains and floods that rushed through the waterway in mid-September destroying some boats and causing damage to docks along the river, the waterway is clear for the start of the season.

A change for this season is the offering of a season pass for Portage residents who launch their boats from the marina. Daily launch fees are $10. The annual pass will run a residential boater $75.

The marina is also being promoted as a stop along the greenway/blueway trial system for kayakers or canoers to stop overnight, Ekdahl said.

"We're hoping it will be a good season for all of them (marinas along the waterway). It depends on the weather," said Ekdahl, adding the 2008 season was difficult for boaters because of continuing north winds. "We will have to see what the weather brings for the season."