A current of a different kind -- an electrical one -- is being blamed for damaging boats on the Kawkawlin River.

The Bay City Times says at least six boats have been damaged by electrolysis in a quarter-mile stretch of the river in Bay County's Bangor Township. It can happen when low-level current gets into the water from lights or improperly grounded wires.

Township Supervisor Terry Watson says it's unusual for such damage to be so widespread. In many cases, a boat or two near a power source might be damaged.

Forty-seven-year-old Mike Wilson has lived along the river for about six years and found his 28-foot pontoon boat damaged this year by electrolysis. He says it first looked like zebra mussels had coated the pontoons.