Booms break free in Cougar Bay

Nothing stays secure forever.

Roughly 500 feet of log booms came loose at Cougar Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene last Friday, according to the Idaho Department of Lands, which the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department had to contain to prevent risk to boaters.

"It shouldn't be too much of a hazard (when that happens). All of Cougar Bay is a no-wake zone," said Deputy Josh Stearns. "The big thing is when they swing into the lake a little bit further. Depending on how the wind's blowing and the log blows is how much of a hazard it can be."

The booms were set free when a chain anchoring the booms broke, said John Condon, general manager at North Idaho Maritime, which the Sheriff's Department called on to resecure the booms.

The booms in Cougar Bay come loose about twice a year, Condon said.

How long the booms stay after being secured again all depends on weather, he added.

"It just depends on the severity of the situation," he said. "It (the chain connection) will work for months or years."

Carl Washburn with the Idaho Department of Lands said the break may be due to lack of upkeep.

"When was the last mill active? They haven't been maintained for a few years," Washburn said. "It (the booms) has been out there for many, many years, and I don't know if anybody's maintaining it."

There is a chance that other booms might be in similar condition, he said.

"I would put it this way: If I was boating, I'd be looking," he said.