Lake Erie – Niagara River Ice Boom to be Removed 2022

Date

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

Lake Erie’s ice cover has rapidly reduced over the past few days. On March 26, 2022 the water temperature near the ice boom was 1.1°C (34°F). Considering 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 will begin opening the boom’s 22 spans as early as Tuesday March 29, 2022.  Additional information may be found on the Board’s web site at: https://www.ijc.org/en/nbc/watershed/ice-boom. Last year, the boom opening began on March 22. The latest date for the start of the boom opening was May 3, 1971, while the earliest start date was February 28, 2012.

The ice boom is owned and operated by the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation.  The use of the boom is authorized by the International Joint Commission with its International Niagara Board of Control overseeing the installation, operation, and removal.

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.  A reduction of ice entering the river reduces the potential for ice jams, which can result in damage to shoreline property and significantly reduce water flow for hydro-electric power production. Note that when the ice boom is removed, the amount of ice flowing into the Niagara River can increase due to natural ice movements. As well with continued freezing temperatures forecasted, some ice may be formed in the Niagara River itself.

For more information on Ice Boom installation, operation and removal contact Louis Paonessa, NYPA at (716) 548-2141

Louis.Paonessa@nypa.gov

For more information regarding the IJC approval

See the Board’s Ice Boom Information website at: https://www.ijc.org/en/nbc/watershed/ice-boom 

or

In Canada contact Derrick Beach, Canadian Secretary, International Niagara Board of Control at (289) 983-0392 or Derrick.Beach@ec.gc.ca

In USA contact Lynn Greer, Public Affairs Office to the International Niagara Board of Control at (716) 866-3417 (Lynn.M.Greer@usace.army.mil) or Lauren Schifferle, Alternate Chair to the International Niagara Working Committee at (716) 879-4335 (Lauren.M.Schifferle@usace.army.mil)