Bark Lake All Season Safety Boom
Bark Lake All Season Safety Boom
In summer of 2006, an All-Season Safety Boom was designed, and constructed upstream of Ontario Power Generation's Bark Lake control dam located on the Madawaska River near Barry's Bay, Ontario.
The main purpose of this safety boom is to warn boaters about the inherent danger of the dam downstream.
As the Safety Boom remains in the river year-round, it was also necessary for the boom to be able to resist the ice forces driven by wind, currents, and waves during the freeze-up, winter and breakup periods. The Safety Boom was designed to withstand a water level fluctuation of 5m, as the water level in the headpond is lowered during winter. The boom has resisted the ice since its first winter of 2006-2007, and has not required any maintenance to date. The boom is working as expected, providing a visual deterrent to boaters.
Problem
Provide an all-season barrier to warn boaters about the inherent danger of the dam downstream.
Solution
Design and installed a safety boom that could resist the ice forces driven by wind, currents, and waves during the freeze-up, and withstand a water level fluctuation of 5m.
Outcome
The boom has resisted the ice since its first winter of 2006-2007, and has not required any maintenance to date.