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Over half (54%) of the businesses that were impacted took some form of action to mitigate the problems caused by low water levels. Larger marinas (60 or more berths) were more likely to have taken action in 2001; 59% of those who took action did so in 2001. Smaller marinas were more likely to have taken action in 1999 (68%), perhaps precluding their need to take action again in 2001. Over half of the marinas that took action engaged in some type of dredging (Table 2). Approximately, one third repaired or built docks to accommodate low water level conditions. A few removed weeds, modified their launching equipment, or tried to move rock obstructions. Larger marinas were more likely to have dredged (63%), while smaller marinas were more likely to have repaired or built docks (53%). In 2001, marina operators spent a total of $538,500 (in 2002 constant dollars) on these actions. They spent slightly more in 1999 ($683,000 [in 2002 constant dollars]) when water levels were lower. This estimate is perhaps a bit conservative because operators only reported their most recent action. Thus, operators who reported an action in 2001 might have also taken an action in 1999 that is not included in our estimate.
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