INNOVATION July-August 2012

2011 2012 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Assessing the Risks fromNatural Hazard Events Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is adapting the US Federal Emergency Management Agency’s loss estimation methodology, Hazus, for use in Canada. Hazus is a GIS-based tool that models physical damage and economic and social losses from natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. NRCan, in collaboration with partners, has adapted Hazus so users can run earthquake loss assessment

studies in Canada. Potential for adaptation of the flood module is being scoped in collaboration with Public Safety Canada and Environment Canada. Hazus is being tested and validated through two case studies: North Vancouver (urban community), and the Quebec City-Ottawa region (infrastructure corridor). One of the challenges is ensuring the accuracy of the input data: hazards, assets exposed to loss, and respective vulnerabilities. Natural Resources Canada – Quantitative Risk Assessment Project Team: Maggie Wojtarowicz PEng, Nicky Hastings, Miroslav Nastev.

Climate Change Adaptation for Permafrost Terrain Climate Change Adaptation for Permafrost Terrain (CCAPT) is an ongoing initiative funded by the Canadian

Space Agency to monitor changes associated with thawing of ice-rich permafrost. the image shown is centred around Iqaluit Airfield in Nunavut. Analysis of space-borne radar images using interferometric techniques indicate strong seasonal uplift over the paved runway areas in the order of centimetres per year. Ice expansion is thought to be the main cause, and field work planned this summer will attempt to confirm this. In total there are currently seven CCAPT project sites, all in Arctic Canada: Cambridge Bay, Eureka Station, Inuvik, Iqaluit, Kluane Lake and Rankin Inlet. The project will link satellite remote sensing information with local knowledge and ground surveys to develop a comprehensive permafrost monitoring solution for northern communities in Canada. Key participants: Dr Jon Leighton, Parwant Ghuman PEng, Jim McCardle PEng.

Columbia Valley Transmission Project

The transmission line that currently serves the upper Columbia Valley is at capacity. To meet the growing demand for electricity in the Golden area, BC Hydro has invested in the Columbia Valley Transmission Project. The project consists of construction of a new 112 km, 230 kV transmission line from the existing Invermere substation to a new substation called Kicking Horse Substation on the west side of the Columbia River near the town of Golden; a new approximately 3 km 69 kV transmission line connecting the new Kicking Horse Substation and the existing Golden substation; expansion of existing substations at Invermere and Golden; and modifications of the substation at Cranbrook. The project is planned to be in service by fall 2012. Project management, engineering design: BC Hydro. Environmental management: AECOM Canada. Transmission line construction: RS Line Contr. Substation Construction and modification: F&M Installation. Right-of-way clearing, access construction work: Shuswap Woodland Restoration, Nupqu Development.

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