Removal of Ice Boom Pontoon from Niagara Falls' Upper Rapids

On Thursday, March 13th, a section of the Lake Erie ice boom was successfully removed from the upper rapids above Niagara Falls. The feat is thanks to the collaboration between the New York State Park Police’s swift water rescue team and the New York Power Authority (NYPA).

The operation involved using a crane to lift the 3,800-pound pontoon from the water near the pedestrian bridge at Goat Island. Officers from the State Park Police entered the water to secure the pontoon to the crane's lift cable, allowing for a careful extraction from the rapids.

This retrieval was not only aimed at recovering NYPA property but also addressed significant public safety concerns. The pontoon's precarious position made it susceptible to being dislodged by increased water flow or strong winds, which could have led to it cascading over the Bridal Veil Falls, endangering visitors at the nearby Cave of the Winds attraction.

If that scenario was to happen, the force of the ice boom would smash through all wooden walkways in its path, including any tourists on them. There would be very little chance for survival.

Removal of Ice Boom Pontoon from Niagara Falls' Upper Rapids