PROJECTS
MASTER DRAINAGE PLANS
The Aquasphera team has significant experience in developing master drainage plans for cities. Its analysis methods follow best practices in hydrology and hydraulics and the latest municipal and provincial guidelines.
Aquasphera recently completed the storm sewer network master plan for the Chaudière-Ouest sector in Lévis (approximately 7,000 ha), which includes the Saint-Étienne-de-Lauzon, Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Rédempteur neighborhoods. This mandate consisted in producing a functional and calibrated PCSWMM model of the entire rainwater drainage network of the three neighborhoods including the storm sewer network (160 km), the hydraulic and control structures (pumping station, retention, culverts and bridges) as well as four receiving watercourses (8.6 km). This model was validated and calibrated using flow measurements taken in sewers and watercourses, rainfall measurements and water level readings. The model helped to identify problem areas and will help plan major interventions to be carried out in the short and long term, as well as future development projects.
FLOOD PLAIN DELINEATION AND MAPPING
Over the years, Aquasphera has completed several floodplain delineation projects, which included hydrometric survey and model calibration.
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For example, Aquasphera created a 2D hydraulic model and mapped the floodplains of the Gatineau and Desert rivers in Maniwaki. Aquasphera also carried out the hydrological study to determine the 2-, 20-, 100- and 350-year recurrence flood flows. The analyses were performed in accordance with the new MELCC flood zone mapping guidelines. In addition, the project team supervised the collection of bathymetric readings by sonar and topographic readings by lidar of the territory under study as well as the flow measurement campaign that was done using an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP).
WATER MANAGEMENT FOR THE MINING SECTOR
The Aquasphera team also specializes in hydrology and hydraulics to support water management of mining and industrial sites. Our team has worked on multiple sites in Quebec and Ontario for companies such as Rio Tinto, Vale, Tata Steel and First Mining. Our experience includes hydrometric surveys, hydrological data analyses, infrastructure inspection, hydrological and hydraulic modeling for water management (clean and contact water) and drainage infrastructure design.
We use advanced dynamic modeling software such as PCSWMM 1D/2D, HEC-RAS 1D/2D, XPSWMM and other recognized software such as SWMHYMO and ArcGIS.
TECHNICAL SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS
The Aquasphera team has expertise in carrying out technical surveys (surveying, hydrometry, drainage infrastructure inspections). In particular, the company owns an acoustic doppler current meter (ADCP), water level measurement probes, two GNSS (GPS/RTK), etc.
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For example, we carried out the bathymetric surveys of the longest natural skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal, which crosses the center of the Canadian capital for 7.8 kilometres. The Rideau Canal Skateway was first opened during the 1970–1971 season. The Rideau Canal is also a waterway that connects the city of Ottawa on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston on Lake Ontario, via the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers. The mandate was carried out for the National Capital Commission (NCC). The bathymetric data collected will be used in particular for research work carried out at Carleton University.
DESIGN OF CULVERTS AND RETENTION BASINS
The Aquasphera team has carried out a large number of design studies for culverts and stormwater management ponds or other drainage infrastructures. For example, it completed the study of the 87 culverts of the Voie Verte community trail in Chelsea.
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The culvert study, which included the modeling of a total area of ​​5170 ha, was commissioned by the municipality to develop the 22 km long community trail. The mandate included the inspection and survey of 87 culverts, the evaluation of the capacity of the culverts, the identification of required repair work, recommendations, the production of a drainage plan as well as cost estimates.
