Ice Booms Keep Rivers Flowing and Winter’s Deep Freeze at Bay

The ice boom controls ice accumulation in the Niagara River, preventing ice from obstructing downstream hydroelectric plant intakes. Prior to its installation, severe ice conditions frequently led to decreased power generation. The structure also helps safeguard the riverbanks by reducing erosion and limiting damage to properties along the shoreline.

Since 1964, a floating barrier known as an ice boom has been placed across the entrance of the Niagara River at Lake Erie. Its purpose is to prevent large amounts of lake ice from drifting downstream into the lower Niagara River gorge, where it could form an ice bridge.

The original ice boom was made up of floating wooden logs measuring about 30 feet (9.1 m) in length, which were linked together with steel cables. A total of 22 span cables connected the individual sections. Each section included 13 separate logs, each secured with chains. The entire structure was held in place by 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) steel anchor cables attached to the lakebed at intervals of roughly 400 feet (122 m).

The ice boom is jointly owned and managed by the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation, with both agencies overseeing its seasonal deployment and removal. Originally built from wooden timbers, the structure was completely upgraded to steel pontoons during the 1997–98 ice season. This conversion enhanced the boom’s buoyancy, increased its ability to withstand ice flowing over it, and lowered long-term maintenance requirements.

The booms are put in place when the temperature in Buffalo drops to 4 °C or by December 16, whichever occurs first. They are typically taken out by April 1.