Based on the present heavy ice cover remaining on eastern Lake Erie, removal of the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom has not started. The International Joint Commission's International Niagara Board of Control has determined the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom will not likely be open before April 1.
Representatives for the International Niagara Board of Control will continue to monitor the ice cover closely over the coming days, as warmer weather is in the forecast.
Imagery and ice measurements from Sunday showed the eastern basin of Lake Erie, the portion of the lake east of a line between Long Point, Ontario, and Erie, Pennsylvania, covered an area of about 976 square miles of ice.
The current International Joint Commission Order of Approval governing operation of the ice boom requires all floating sections of the boom be opened by the first day of April, unless there is more than 250 square miles of ice on eastern Lake Erie. Other factors such as the quality of ice, ice build-up in the river above/below Niagara Falls, in the lower Niagara River or prediction of unfavorable weather are also considered.
Daily ice coverage analysis, satellite imagery, along with reconnaissance flights (as necessary), will be used to monitor ice conditions, to determine when boom opening should commence.
The latest ice boom opening was on May 3, 1971.
Due to a relatively ice-free winter, last year's boom opening began on March 6.
A media advisory will be issued to inform the public when this year's boom opening begins.
