4DM, with SENES, was selected to identify and evaluate potential hydro electric transmission corridors from Pickle Lake to 10 CCEG member First Nations communities

The Central Corridor Energy Group (CCEG), comprised of 14 First Nations communities, is focused on the development of power transmission and green energy projects in northwestern Ontario on behalf of its members. CCEG is interested in identifying and assessing potential corridor options for a 115kV/44kV transmission line that would connect the upgraded Pickle Lake transmission node to 10 of its member communities in remote areas of northwestern Ontario.

4DM, in partnership with SENES Consultants Ltd., has been selected by CCEG to identify, analyze, and evaluate potential corridors from Pickle Lake to a preliminary group of 10 First Nations member communities. 4DM is using a numerical spatial routing model to optimize a corridor path based on available data and input from CCEG. The modeling is a consensus approach accounting for opportunities and constraints to determine a least impact corridor. These results will be utilized as a starting point for the environmental assessment planning.

4DM and Airborne Imaging awarded contract to acquire and process elevation data for TRCA hydraulic modeling projects

The accuracy of topographic data is critical as it is a determining factor in the hydraulic modeling of the flood plain extents. The flood plain line is a component of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) regulation policy and must be kept current. In areas where the flood plain is difficult to map using the TRCA standard 1-D modeling approach, a more complex 2-D analysis must be used. Elevation data acquired from LiDAR and DEM sources are best suited for use with the software that the TRCA intends to use to model the selected spill zones in its jurisdiction.

4DM will be responsible for hydrologically flattening and enforcing the LiDAR elevation data acquired by Airborne Imaging that will be used by the TRCA to model selected spill zones in its jurisdiction. This post-processing is required to adjust for discrepancies and inaccuracies in the raw LiDAR data. The TRCA will use the processed LiDAR data to create a DEM for modeling purposes whereby the raw data may not adequately define the natural drainage pattern of the study area. The 4DM team will use their operational set of tools to efficiently and accurately hydrologically flattened and enforce the raw LiDAR data to properly define the downward drainage pathways and shorelines for TRCA modeling projects.

4DM, with HDR, awarded AAFC contract for dam safety classification and inundation mapping in Saskatchewan

The Water Infrastructure Division (WID) of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) operates a diverse portfolio of water infrastructure in southwestern Saskatchewan, including thirty-three water storage projects. AAFC manages these reservoirs which were originally built from the 1930s to 1960s under the former Southwest Saskatchewan Water Supply System Development Program to serve as water storage and delivery systems to support irrigation. In conformity with the principles and practices of the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) Dam Safety Guidelines (2007), AAFC has commissioned a detailed consequence assessment of five of these structures, the Gouverneur, Admiral, Cadillac, Eastender, and Braddock dams, to be completed in early 2013.

4DM, in partnership with HDR, will be utilizing LiDAR data and orthophotography to support and conduct hydraulic dam breach modeling needed to determine the incremental flood inundation. The information from the modeling will be used to conduct consequence classification of the Gouverneur, Admiral, Cadillac, Eastend, and Braddock Dams as well as provide AAFC, where applicable, with inundation maps for use in for Emergency Preparedness Planning and Response activities.