SINCE 1991
AquaCoustic Remote Technologies specializes in inspections of underwater structures such as trunk or mainline sewers, hydro dams, reservoirs, ports and bridge abutments using a wide range of technologies to create accurate condition assessments. AquaCoustic principals have over 30 years experience in assessing underwater conditions. Our clients include many major civil engineering firms and municipalities throughout North America.
Hydro dam underwater survey project examples
A high resolution dam survey
This dam had possible areas of seepage and an underwater inspection was required. Visibility in the water was very poor and a scanning and profiling sonar survey was recommended.
To produce finely detailed data it was proposed that the profiling sonar head be lowered 150’ to 20’ above the bottom - this would keep the sound footprint small. When a profile was taken the sonar head had to be held steady and directly below the prism used by the Robotic Total Station.
The area was approximately 100 by 200 metres, centered on an old river bed.
A through-ice earth dam survey
For this client, a sonar survey was done through ice. After undertaking remedial work that involved a trial filling of a sinkhole, a sonar sounding survey of the headpond was conducted.
The purpose of the sonar survey, in addition to assessing the effectiveness of the trial filling of the sinkhole, was to inspect the condition of the upstream slope of the dam (in particular, the toe of slope and reservoir area within 50 ft of the toe), to study more efficient and detailed methods of reservoir bathymetry, and to investigate more accurate methods of measuring the volume and size of headpond depressions.
A key finding of the work was the presence of additional sinkholes and depressions located on the reservoir bottom upstream of the dam. One sinkhole was so severe that it threatened to compromise the integrity of the dam and a new dam was built as a result.
