NIAGARA FALLS - Last winter's mild weather prevented ice from forming around the ice boom at the head of the Niagara River and made it possible to begin removing the boom Feb. 28 - the earliest date since the barrier was first used in the winter of 1964-65.
The last spans of the floating boom were removed March 2.
Last year, boom opening began April 12 and was completed April 22.
The water level in Lake Erie - and therefore the water flow into the Niagara River - remained slightly above average last winter, according to the latest six-month report issued by the International Niagara Board of Control, which is responsible for matters that affect the flows and levels of the Niagara River.
That job is of special importance in maintaining an adequate flow of water over the cataracts at Niagara Falls and providing water for the hydroelectric generating stations on the U.S. and Canadian sides of the Niagara River gorge.
The six-month report and its prediction for this summer will be discussed during a public "open house" meeting of the control board from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Earl W. Brydges Public Library building, 1425 Main St.
"Posters, maps and other informative material will be displayed [at the open house], and representatives of the board will respond to concerns and questions," according to John W. Kangas, secretary of the board's U.S. section.
The board consists of three members from the United States and three from Canada. Margaret W. Burcham, a brigadier general who commands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, is chairwoman of the U.S. section, and Aaron Thompson is chairman of the Canadian section.
Their latest report, for the period from Sept. 15, 2011, through March 22, says:
. Ice did not form on Lake Erie near the ice boom at any time during the 2011-12 ice season, compared with the previous season, when the ice coverage on Lake Erie peaked in late January with about 98 percent of the lake covered.
. "As of early February, little or no snow was stored on the land portion of the Lake Erie basin," the report says. "The lack of snow cover will limit spring runoff from snow melt and affect the water supply to Lake Erie for the coming months.
. "The six-month water level forecast published at the beginning of March indicates that the level of Lake Erie is likely to remain above its long-term average at least through the summer."
The ice boom, designed to reduce ice jams in the Niagara River, is an 8,000-foot-long floating barrier across the head of the Niagara River between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ont.
The boom is designed to protect shoreline property and to promote the diversion of water to the hydroelectric generating plants.
It also helps to maintain the minimum flow of water over the Horseshoe and American falls at Niagara Falls in accordance with an international treaty from 1950.

email: rbaldwin@buffnews.com