4DM is awarded funding support from the National Research Council – IRAP to utilize numerical weather prediction data for forecasting snow drifting events and applications in water resources

4DM is awarded financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to utilize numerical weather prediction data for forecasting snow drifting events and applications in water resources 4DM has developed a snow transport model for predicting snow drifting along transportation corridors. The model was developed from knowledge gained from ongoing consulting work and a previous IRAP supported project. The snow transport model requires meteorological inputs such as wind, temperature, and precipitation. The model produces a gridded distribution of snow depth and flux in tonnes/meter. Meteorological inputs can come from global weather services that provide access to numerical weather prediction and regional reanalysis data. These organizations use an internationally recognized generic format called GRIB developed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The goal of this project is to develop a streamlined process that utilizes GRIB data for estimating regional snow drifting along transportation networks such as roads, rail lines and airport areas, from both a predictive and historical perspective. The same process can be used as input into hydrological model to predict flooding events.

4DM awarded the project for conducting quality review and hydrological enforcement of LiDAR data acquired on the Mattagami and Abitibi River Systems for Ontario Power Generations

Ontario Power Generation is updating their base mapping using orthophotography and LiDAR data. The data sets are being used for corporate planning and to support operational needs. Additional data collection has been added to the existing project that includes 19 river systems across Ontario. 4DM is responsible for quality review of the data that involves confirming data coverage, ensuring data integrity is met and the quality meets the specifications. Another component of the project involves enforcing the natural drainage of the river system to better define the stream network and river shoreline. A set of tools developed in ArcGIS along with other LiDAR software tools are being used to conduct this process. The extent of the coverage area is approximately 600 sq km.