NIAGARA FALLS —
In the wake of bone-chilling temperatures over the past couple of weeks, Niagara’s top off-season attraction has formed below the falls.
The ice bridge, as it is known, was spotted Friday morning by Emil Bende, general manager of marine operations at the Canadian Maid of the Mist landing.
“It (the ice) was struggling to take shape the last few days,” Bende said, adding that even after it formed, some openings occurred a short time later.
“But now it’s solid, shore to shore,” he said, viewing the mid-afternoon scene.
Last year, the ice bridge formed Jan. 12. In 2009, it was Jan. 17. According to a Niagara Parks Commission spokesman, the earliest ice bridge on record occurred Dec. 21,1951. That was matched on Dec. 21, 1989, Bende added.
For many years, the ice bridge attracted hundreds of visitors, especially on weekends, who often ventured out to the frozen surface for the thrill of walking across the river bed.
Those trips into the gorge and onto the natural structure were outlawed after three visitors were swept to their deaths Feb. 4, 1912, when the ice mass suddenly broke away.
Today, stricter laws on both sides of the border prohibit the public from leaving the shoreline to explore the ice in any manner.
Violators face fines for entering into the restricted areas.
Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.
Local News
Related Photos
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Cold weather has formed the annual ice bridge in the lower gorge near Niagara Falls. DAN CAPPELLAZZO/NEWS
January 14, 2011
Ice bridge takes shape under falls
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