International Niagara Board of Control

Due to the lack of ice cover on Lake Erie and the absence of ice in the Maid-of-the-Mist Pool below Niagara Falls, preparations are underway for the removal of the Lake Erie – Niagara River Ice Boom. If weather allows for safe working conditions, crews from the New York Power Authority plan to begin opening the 21 spans that were installed this season, as early as Thursday, March 2, 2023.

The IJC issued a Temporary Order of Approval on December 20, 2022, to allow for installation of 21 of the 22 sections of the Niagara River ice boom. NYPA installed 21 spans of the ice boom this ice season leaving out the last span of the ice boom located nearest to the Canadian shore. The International Niagara Board of Control is currently soliciting public comment related to the amended installation plan for the 2022-2023 ice season. The comment period closes on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Installation of the ice boom for the 2022-2023 ice season is scheduled to begin Friday December 16, weather permitting.

The three Great Lakes Boards will host joint webinars in English and French on August 30 and 31, respectively from 5:30 to 6:30 pm EDT. Information shared will include current and forecast conditions within the Great Lakes basin.

Preparations are underway for the removal of the Lake Erie – Niagara River Ice Boom 2022.

Installation of the ice boom for the 2021-2022 ice season could begin as early as December 10th, 2021 weather permitting. Each winter since 1964, the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom has been installed near the outlet of Lake Erie to reduce the amount of ice entering the Niagara River.

Installation of the ice boom for the 2020-2021 ice season is planned to begin as early as December 10, 2020 weather permitting.