Ice jams still threaten flooding in Bismarck area

Waddington, NY: February 24, 1924 Thermit used to break ice jams. - from "Famous First Facts: A Record of First Happening, Discoveries and Inventions in the U.S." © 1973 Joseph Nathan Kane, 3rd Edition, The H.W. Wilson Company, NY 1964.

- Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:33 AM EDT

Sorry the year is wrong, it was 1925. Waddington has an interesting history. I did some archaeology survey there to return properties to the tax roles that had been seized in the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway overseen by the Feds (head appointed by the President) and the NY Power Authority. We share a half of a hydroelectric dam with Canada that was built with the locks, water control features and seaway. Before it was a very dangerous river and is where Abbie Hoffman was "found out" as an activist against year-round use of the system by icebreakers which uprooted the locals docks and properties. Personally I find it strange that a port was never built for New York along it, mostly dairy and farms, Canada more densely settled on the other side, though Remington's wonderful museum is in Ogdensburg, who collaborated with Theodore Roosevelt to chronicle the disappearing American West, and all seems to benefit Chicago, Illinois and other Great Lakes ports.

- Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT