Item: THE KEMANO T2 PROJECT AVALANCHE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
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Title: THE KEMANO T2 PROJECT AVALANCHE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Greg Johnson [ 6 Point Engineering, Nelson, BC, Canada ]
- Mark Vesely [ 6 Point Engineering, Nelson, BC, Canada ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: The Kemano T2 Project (2016-2022) included completing a 16 km long water supply tunnel bored through the central Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada, to serve a hydroelectric power generation station at Kemano. The primary project worksite operated in the runout of a large avalanche path and was accessed by an 11 km long industrial road crossed numerous high-frequency and large-magnitude avalanche paths. This project is an important case history for managing severe avalanche risk for industrial work sites in Canada. Avalanches were identified as a critical project risk during the initial planning stages. The avalanche risk assessment encompassed the development of passive and active protection strategies. The passive mitigation approach included a large defection berm and a stopping wall. The active mitigation approach incorporated 11 Gazex remote avalanche control systems and a forecasting and control program. This paper summarizes the avalanche risk management program. Key experiences include performing a risk assessment; and designing and implementing passive and active controls. Despite several close calls throughout the five winters of project execution, we maintained a record without injuries due to avalanches while concurrently minimizing infrastructure damage and closures to the access road and worksites.
Object ID: ISSW2023_O14.03.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Greg Johnson
Keywords: risk assessment, mitigation design, avalanche control
Page Number(s): 1193 - 1200
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