Salmon River Falls, Orwell at Flood Stage

Salmon River Falls in Orwell

Salmon River Falls in Orwell, detail

Salmon River Falls: Blue Ice

While most of the falls is white-to-gray, what is it that makes this ice blue? Mineral deposits coming seeping from the upper shelves of sedimentary rock that form this escarpment? Ideas, anyone?

Addendum: Ahhh, Ed has done the research and discovered the science of color seen in ice, explained here. The site explains much more about natural color theory. 

The upshot is that blue color tells us the ice is clearer, so it absorbs more light. It absorbs reds and oranges, and reflects back blue. The more ice reflects light, if it is old and has undergone structural changes, the whiter it appears.

The color has nothing to do with minerals and seeps. 

Placid Section of Salmon River

Wonderful fishing around here!

Salmon River Ice Near Altmar

Salmon River Falls Near Altmar

Salmon with Barely Room to Maneuver in the Stream Leading to the Hatchery

Instinct to Spawn is a Force of Nature

Salmon hurling itself upstream to get home to spawn at Salmon River Fish Hatchery. The concrete channel leading to the hatchery is just downstream.

Salmon River Falls, Oswego County

Boy Scout Troop 6, Oswego, 1920

This, historic graffiti carved into the shale pavement at the top of Salmon River Falls, was done with great skill and care the same year D.W. Griffith made Way Down East with Lillian Gish, which we also saw this weekend. Did the scouts come up here in a horse-drawn wagon? 

Salmon River Falls, Oswego County