A Shallow-Draft Icebreaker for the Upper Niagara River

by Randy D. Crissman, New York Power Authority, Niagara Falls, United States,
A. Hollmer, New York Power Authority, Niagara Falls, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Cold Regions Engineering

Abstract:

The New York Power Authority (Authority) designed and built a special purpose, shallow-draft icebreaker in 1986 and 1987 for use in the upper Niagara River. The icebreaker is used during the winter to remove ice and/or keep ice moving past the Authority's water intakes for the 2,400 megawatt Niagara Power Project. Ice can block flow into the intakes, thus reducing power generation, and form stoppages and jams in the vicinity of the intakes. The design and construction of the icebreaker and its operation since 1987 are described. It is estimated that the cost of the new icebreaker was recovered within the first two winter seasons it was operated.

Subject Headings: Water intakes | Rivers and streams | Ice | Hydro power | Winter | Power plants | Ships | New York | United States

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