Lake Erie ice cover

[kliph]

Excuse my dumb question, but what is this ice boom that I've been reding about on this thread?

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It is floating barrels in lake Erie between Buffalo and Ft. Erie at the head of the Niagara river.

It is meant to stop the ice from going down the river and into the power generators.

[ontherise]

Thanks!!

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[tlox]

The barge and crane have begun removing the boom.  I'll raise a glass to that!

[salmonboy41]

The barge and crane have begun removing the boom.  I'll raise a glass to that!

I second that   

[traveling man]

Now we need some hot days to warm up Lake Erie and we will be all set.

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Edited April 29, 2014 by traveling man

[mostlymuskies]

Ice Boom being removed, http://www.iceboom.nypa.gov/ ,not a lot of ice coming down the river yet! May be still solid ice by the boom area and will break up soon and start flowing!

[JakeyBaby]

Call me stupid. ... but what exactly does the boom consist of? I keep hearing about it but not sure what it is or where it is?

[orangediablo]

Call me stupid. ... but what exactly does the boom consist of? I keep hearing about it but not sure what it is or where it is?

It is floating barrels in lake Erie between Buffalo and Ft. Erie at the head of the Niagara river.

It is meant to stop the ice from going down the river and into the power generators.

 

[JakeyBaby]

Thanks!

[tlox]

Here's a couple photos of what the boom is and does:

 

Army Corps ice survey flight and upclose view of the boom

 

 

[baitrigger]

Great pics. Ice and junk just starting to show up in lewiston. The falls and wurlpool are taking a toll on the ice coming down. It may not be as bad as advertised.

[Storm Warning II]

Keep the updates on floes and flotsam coming guys! Much appreciated!

[baitrigger]

Water level in the niagara is up two feet because the water intakes are closed. This is one of the best times to visit the falls with the extra flow and ice going over.

[ontherise]

Flotsam. That word needs to be used more often!

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[tlox]

The only have a portion of the boom out, it comes out in sections so the bulk is yet to come

[American-Honey]

Figured I would ask this in here since it is about lake Erie.  I have only fished it once out of the Small Boat Harbor in Buffalo but was looking to go back this spring but I see the Small Boat Harbor launch doesn't open until 5/15.  Is there another launch site close nearby that would be open on the 5/10 weekend?  I saw the Isle View Park, but I don't really know much about the area and didn't want to go on assumptions.

 

Thanks

[2150sst]

American- honey, you can launch from sbh. Use the docks by dugs dive, there isn't any services like security or fish cleaning station until they open.

[American-Honey]

American- honey, you can launch from sbh. Use the docks by dugs dive, there isn't any services like security or fish cleaning station until they open.

 

Thanks!  That makes it easy.

[tlox]

Lower river is icing up now.  Whirlpool is full of ice,  Launches in Lewiston, Youngstown and the fort starting to see ice.  Starting to look like a minefield out there.

Edited May 2, 2014 by tlox

[SylvanTroller]

American- honey, you can launch from sbh. Use the docks by dugs dive, there isn't any services like security or fish cleaning station until they open.

The NFTA has blocked both access roads to the launch and retrieval docks (they are not permitting anyone to launch currently).  I called them today and they said they will be open 5/15 but are hoping to be open earlier.  The majority of the ice boom is still in and they are just opening sections to let the ice flow in a controlled fashion, allegedly they have found ice 3ft think in places against the boom.  The wind has pushed a lot of ice into the SBH and some has even entered the marina.  I would keep an eye on things before you make the ride.

[American-Honey]

Thanks for the heads up, I will give them a call before heading that way.

[Sweet Caroline]

is the boom fully out now? cant imagine there is much ice left at this point? looks like river water has warmed up recently as well. thanks in advance for any info on this

[tlox]

Looks like the boom is about 60 - 70% out.  There is still some ice that was blown into the eastern basin by Sherkston and still some by whats left of the boom.  There really isn't a whole lot left, a few more days to be safe and i'll be putting the boat in.

Edited May 5, 2014 by tlox

[jimski2]

Yesterday the Canadian shoreline had ice all the way to Port Colborne. It will be some more time to clear the lower river of ice.

[YodaMage]

The Niagara still has a good amount of ice coming down it..and some BIG stuff bergs, though it is slowing down over the last couple of days.