service to Fort Erie. The nearest passenger rail stations are in Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Waterways Fort Erie is at the outlet of Lake Erie into the Niagara River. The lake and river serve as a playground for numerous personal yachts, sailboats, power boats and watercraft. There is a marina at the site of a former shipyard at Miller's Creek on the Niagara River, and a boat launch ramp in Crystal Beach. Prior to the completion of the two bridges, passengers and freight were carried across the river by ferry. From 1829, when the Welland Canal first opened, to 1833, when the cut was completed to Port Colborne, ship traffic between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario would transit the upper Niagara River. Utilities In order to reduce large-scale ice blockage in the Niagara River, with resultant flooding, ice damage to docks and other waterfront structures, and blockage of the water intakes for the hydro-electric power plants at Niagara Falls, the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation have jointly operated the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom since 1964. The boom is installed on December 16, or when the water temperature reaches , whichever happens first. The boom is opened on April 1 unless there is more than of ice remaining in Eastern Lake Erie. When in place, the boom stretches from the outer breakwall at Buffalo Harbor almost to the Canadian shore near the ruins of the pier at Erie Beach in Fort Erie. Originally, the boom was made of wooden timbers, but these have been replaced by steel pontoons. Notable people Ernest Alexander Cruikshank, Brigadier General and historian; was born in Bertie Township. Randy Burridge, played over 700 games in the NHL and was an All-Star in 1992. Derek Clendening, Canadian writer Billy Dea, professional hockey player, lived in Crystal Beach with his wife Sally and son Derrick for a large part of his professional career. Michael Fonfara, keyboard player; was born in Stevensville. Paul Gardner, professional hockey player; was born in Fort Erie. Paul Hellyer, engineer and politician. Douglas Kirkland, photographer. James L. Kraft, entrepreneur and inventor; was born outside of Stevensville and worked in Fort Erie before emigrating to the United States. Dan "DJ Shub" General, musician. Shane Lindstrom (professionally known as Murda Beatz), record producer. Matty Matheson, chef and internet personality. Pierre Pilote, professional hockey player; lived in Fort Erie for most