|
Published: March 29, 2009 11:47 pm
ICE BOOM: Amateur scientist says barrier hurts river
By Neale Gulley
Niagara Gazette
As far as Joseph Barrett is concerned, the ice boom put in place on Lake Erie every year isn’t just holding back the ice, it’s holding back the development of the Niagara River.
Barrett, a serious fisherman and amateur scientist, has spent more than a decade striving to prove environmental degradation at the mouth of the lake and along the Niagara River is the result of inhibited ice flow. The New York Power Authority’s massive ice boom at the mouth of the river, he says, keeps tons of nutrient-laden ice from traveling through to Lake Ontario each year — and to the thousands of tiny ecosystems along the way.
“He’s raised an entirely new theory on the river which scientists haven’t raised in the past,” said Julie O’Neill, executive director of the Buffalo/Niagara Riverkeeper.
In fact, the 50 years the boom has been in place may actually have set the table for science to learn more about how ice floes contribute to the environment. Because studies have not been done, however, most are left to guess what would happen to marinas, private docks, homes and other riverfront property in the face of a natural ice floe.
O’Neill said the group is willing to talk to such scientists if they can secure the funding — a common response by those whose interest has been piqued — but that a lot of research still needs to be done in order to answer the first two questions: What ecological impact the boom has and, if there are negative consequences, what can be done about them?
“There’s always an ecological consequence,” O’Neill said. “There just isn’t research on the effect of the boom on sedimentation patterns.”
According to Barrett’s research, erosion partially accounts for Strawberry Island’s rapid decrease from about 100 acres to just 3 over the last several decades. He says it can be laid to inhibited ice, which he said would otherwise plow sediment back against its banks over time.
Though it’s important to note that more than a century’s worth of digging, soil replacement and other engineering have all come into play on the island that has a storied past.
Elsewhere along the banks of the West River, trees are falling into the water in the absence of any shoreline. Barrett again claims scouring of the river floor by the ice would plow sandy material up against the banks, providing a buffer between the now exposed roots and swift current.
“If you didn’t know what it was supposed to look like, you’d think you were in the swamps of Louisiana but these trees aren’t meant to germinate in the water. These are regular deciduous trees,” he said, noting he desires only that his claims be offered a chance for scrutiny by his peers.
Barrett also points to a gradual broadening of the river floor in the absence of mechanical weathering by the ice.
Then there’s the slime.
Detritus, he said it’s called, the stuff that in aerial photographs highlights the Queen City’s lake with a rim of green. Barrett said it’s just one more consequence of holding back the ice, leading to the formation of botulism he believes is responsible for about 9,000 fish that washed up dead or dying on Woodlawn Beach recently.
Riverkeeper’s O’Neill calls it “rock-snot,” an invasive species, accounts for the color more than anything else, but said if you take the leap to say Barrett’s theory is correct — if the studies are done — inhibiting the cycle could allow the material to stagnate, adding to the general detritus.
“We want our river back. We don’t want to deal with botulism outbreaks anymore, we don’t want Strawberry Island to disappear,” Barrett said.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE
auto detailer
Auto Detailer full time, exp. pref. Apply at David Chevy Buick Pontiac, 10225 Nia Falls Blvd. or 298-9700 ask for Frank....>MORE
Retail Manager
RETAIL Manager needed, exp needed, full time. Fax resumes to Hyde Park Laundry 285-8677....>MORE
Information Technology
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Niagara County Community College is seeking a Director of User and Administrative Technology Se...>MORE
Health Care
Health Care. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/LAUNDRY SUPERVISORS. Excellent full-time day and evening opportunities. Experienced,...>MORE
Senior Citizen Program Coordinator
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM COORDINATOR City of Niagara Falls Full-time position involves coord., developing & revi...>MORE
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
RN
JOB FAIR!! Thurs., Nov 19, 2009, 11:00-5:00 RECRUITING FOR FT Physical Therapist RN’s LPN’s ...>MORE
Private Investigator
Private Investigator Proven ability and equipment to conduct surveillance, background inquires and searches. 1-5 ye...>MORE
See all ads |
VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|