Ice Boom removal to begin Monday

Local News

March 20, 2010

By Don Glynn The Tonawanda News The Tonawanda News Sat Mar 20, 2010, 06:41 PM EDT

BUFFALO — Crews will begin removing the 1.7-mile Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice boom Monday, weather permitting.

A spokesman for the International Joint Commission, which regulates conditions along the U.S.-Canada border, said the work includes taking out the 22 spans extending from the outer breakwater at the Buffalo Harbor almost to the Canadian shore, about two miles upstream from the Peace Bridge.

First installed in 1964, the boom strengthens the natural ice arch that forms every year and, as a result, it prevents a glut of ice from flowing into the upper Niagara River where it could easily clog power company intakes and cause extensive damage to downriver shoreline properties.

Despite the boom, the gradual buildup of ice below the falls inevitably spans the river — most years — creating a major off-season attraction for tourists, as well as local residents.

Under the IJC directives, the boom that includes up to 11 floating steel pontoons anchored to the lake bottom at 400 foot intervals is installed each year when the Lake Erie water temperature reaches 39 degrees Fahrenheit or on Dec. 16, whichever comes first.

The IJC calls for the boom to be removed by April 1 or when aerial surveys show the ice field in the eastern basin of the lake has been reduced to 250 square miles.

George Cotroneo, a board of control staffer, said Friday that if the favorable weather continues, the crews could have the boom out of the water within a couple of days.

The cost of operating and maintaining the ice boom is shared by the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation. The Niagara Board of Control monitors the boom for the IJC.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.

Text Only

Local News

Tops rings up 50th birthday
Local supermarket chain honors past with an eye on the future.

February 11, 2012
N-W district budget talks turn grave
Staff cuts, large tax increase being considered to fill $10.9M deficit.

February 11, 2012
Losing land to Lake Ontario
Lakeside residents: Lots shrinking; taxes growing

February 11, 2012
Court sends Third Ward case back down
Question of recount not ripe, lower court erred in dismissing original case.

February 10, 2012
Man gets 2.5 yrs for drugs, bombs
Highland Avenue man gets prison for marijuana, pipe bombs.

February 10, 2012
Up to speed
Online payments popular with residents.

February 10, 2012 2 Photos
Niagara-Orleans partnership approved
Officials say it’s a response to residents request for less government.

February 10, 2012
STOCK Act passes House
Slaughter pleased that six-year effort finally pays off.

February 10, 2012
Driver sought in fatal hit-and-run crash
Loren Jacobs died after being struck on Mount Hope Road.

February 10, 2012
Big bucks for shrinking history
Wurlitzer relics expected to bring in millions at auction

February 10, 2012 3 Photos
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Ice Boom removal to begin Monday

Site Map

Contact Us