The St. Marys River - Little Rapids Cut Ice Boom: Winter of 1983-1984

• Other Authors: CORPS OF ENGINEERS DETROIT MI DETROIT DISTRICT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Marine Engineering; *ICE PREVENTION; *CUTTING; *BOOMS(EQUIPMENT); *INLAND WATERWAYS; RELIABILITY; WINTER; NAVIGATION; LEVEL(QUANTITY); ACCUMULATION; ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; ISLANDS; GREAT LAKES; HYDROELECTRICITY; WATER; DEMONSTRATIONS; TRANSPORTATION; STABILIZATION; THICKNESS; SAINT MARYS RIVER(MICHIGAN); ICE COVER; Little Rapids; St. Marys River; Sugar Island; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA213836; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA213836

An ice boom at the head of Little Rapids Cut was first installed as part of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season Extension Demonstration Program. to help stabilize the ice cover in Sault Harbor and thus moderate ice problems in Little Rapids Cut and act as an aid to winter navigation. Upon conclusion of the Demonstration Program, a decision was made to reinstall the ice boom each winter for an indefinite period. Authority for installation of the ice boom was given to the Sault Area Office as part of its regular operations. This report documents the operation of the Little Rapids Cut boom during the 1983 - 1984 winter season. The boom system stabilized the ice cover in Sault Harbor, reducing the extent of ice accumulation in Little Rapids Cut and reducing the amount of ice in the Sugar Island ferry crossing. Thus, the likelihood of emergency cutbacks in the outflow from Lake Superior that would cause power losses at the hydropower plants has lessened. Also, the boom has contributed to more reliable winter transportation between Sugar Island and the mainland. Keywords: Ice boom; Water levels; Flows and ice thickness; Soo Harbor; Little Rapids Cut.