Niagara Region Safety Booms
Niagara Region Safety Booms
Three Booms, and ten Hazard Buoys designed for use in fast moving waters were constructed and deployed for Ontario Power Generation in St. Catherines, Ontario.
The booms and buoys were installed upstream and downstream of several small dams, control structures, weirs, and rapids, with their purpose being to protect the public from fast currents, up to 3 m/s, and to warn them away from the hydraulic structures. The Safety Booms are installed at an angle to the current in order to facilitate self-rescue of stranded boaters or swimmers.
The buoys are tethered to the adjacent shores, and are designed never to submerge in this environment. Depending on the calculated drag forces, various types of anchors were used including wall anchor plates, soil anchors, and concrete blocks.
Problem
Protect the public from fast currents, up to 3 m/s, and to warn them away from the hydraulic structures.
Solution
Safety Booms installed at an angle to the current to facilitate self-rescue of stranded boaters or swimmers, designed never to submerge in this environment.
Outcome
Booms were installed and operating as expected.