Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2010
Eastmain-1-A powerhouse water intake
STARTUP AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FIRST GATE OPERATION AT RUPERT SPILLWAY Sarcelle powerhouse
ARCHITECTURAL, MECHANICAL AND CONCRETE WORK ... SOLID AS A ROCK!
People with a powerful vision
Eastmain-1-A jobsite
The Eastmain-1-A powerhouse water intake
Startup ahead of schedule CL – The last operations prior to startup of the water intake were successfully carried out, allowing water from the reservoir to flow back into the confines of the temporary dike on Monday, April 26, 2010, a week ahead of schedule. Several steps were taken during the last weeks of April to reach this goal; for example, removing the wire mesh, dismantling the pumping station and cleaning the rock, carried out by Neilson-EBC. None of this would have been possible without the impressive work of CIC in concreting the water intake and penstocks.
Removal of the sheet piles and the temporary dike The next steps consist of removing the sheet-pile cutoff wall and dismantling the temporary dike in the headrace. To this end, Neilson-EBC removed the first sheet piles on May 4. Removal of all 271 steel sheet piles is expected to take until the end of May. Then the bucket of the huge Liebherr dragline excavator will be in operation until October 2010 to remove the bulk of the temporary dike and finish remodelling the ends of the spur dikes.
Canmec Industriel also successfully completed the installation of the three gates and trashracks, while conducting the necessary tests on the set of stoplogs. “Alignment of the gate slots began on January 15, 2010. It was a race against time, since we had to be ready for startup on May 3,” said Félix McKoy-Perreault, Jobsite Project Manager for Canmec Industriel. “Thanks to the efforts of the Canmec team, in partnership with Construction Euler, Nordex and Génitique, we were able to lock out the gates for startup on Monday, April 26,” he added proudly.
Startup
The 271 sheet piles patiently waiting to be removed.
During startup, five to seven pumps were used to move water from the reservoir into the enclosure.
On April 28, water almost completely covered the trashracks. Supervisor – Public Relations / Magazine Editor: Bionda Miotto / 819 672-2200, ext. 3854 miotto.bionda@hydro.qc.ca Advisor - Public Relations and Editor-in-Chief: Jimmy Lavoie / 819 865-2100 poste 4159, lavoie.jimmy@hydro.qc.ca Writers: Pascal Dion, Catherine Langlois, Marie-Ève Morin, Liza Perron, Mélanie Vachon Contributors: Yvon Coulombe , Normand Faubert, Carine Durocher Translator: Margaret Kane Savage / Reviser: Isabel Fonte / Graphics: Paul Salois Design / Photographer: Paul Brindamour / Printer: Imprimerie Lebonfon Eastmain Magazine is published by SEBJ Public Relations for the workers of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. Internet site: www.hydroquebec.com/rupert. Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca. (© SEBJ, All rights reserved) Eastmain Magazine is printed on chlorine- and acid-free EcoLogo certified paper, made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumer fibre, manufactured using biogas energy. 2 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Pumping began on April 26 in the afternoon and ended on the morning of May 4. It took seven-and-a-half days of nonstop pumping to raise the water level in the enclosure to the same level as the reservoir, 275 metres above sea level.
CL – The three trashracks, designed and supplied by Canmec Industriel, are among the largest installed on a HydroQuébec jobsite. A single trashrack consists of five sections, 16 metres long and 2.7 metres wide. Each section weighs 25,000 kg and has traveled almost 800 kilometres by truck from the Canmec factory in Chicoutimi. It took fifteen trips to move these huge parts to the Eastmain-1-A jobsite.
The water intake on the eve of startup
Phase II concrete work JL – Cégerco–Inter-Cité is working on several fronts at the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. Outside the superstructure, the contractor mobilized a 300-tonne crane in early May to install the prefabricated beams of the transformer deck. These interlocking slabs will allow quick installation of the deck for the future transformers on the front of the powerhouse. Similar prefabricated beams will also used for the generator floor. Inside the powerhouse, Inter-Cité is continuing its numerous concrete pours in the generator area. The concrete covering the LC 11 scrollcase was completed in early May and pours for unit LC 12 have begun.
Les travaux au tablier des transformateurs le 13 mai dernier.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Eastmain-1-A jobsite
Huge sections!
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 3
Eastmain-1-A jobsite Eastmain-1-A powerhouse under construction and Eastmain-1 powerhouse operational.
Excavation of the tailrace JL – Work has been in high gear at the tailrace of Eastmain-1-A powerhouse since the beginning of spring. Neilson-EBC is working in overdrive to excavate this important canal through which water will flow from the powerhouse. More than 525,000 m3 of rock will have to be removed by August. An equivalent volume of overburden has already been removed in the same area over the last year.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Excavation of the powerhouse tailrace.
4 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
People with a powerful vision
Eastmain-1-A jobsite Assembly of the three generating units.
Equipment and mechanical and electrical systems
JL – Now that the preparatory work for the scrollcase of unit LC 11 has been completed, turbine manufacturer Voith Hydro has to repeat the various assembly operations on the scrollcases of units LC 12 and LC 13. Accordingly, after assembly of the spiral sections, the parts will be soldered and X-ray inspected and, finally, the bulkheads will be installed to start filling in preparation for hydrostatic testing. Only then can concrete be poured around the huge spirals. The turbine manufacturer can start installing the stay rings as soon as the scrollcases have been concreted.
The TAP Consortium is proceeding with its contract to supply and install equipment and electrical and mechanical systems at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. The work to equip the powerhouse is advancing on every level: lighting, electrical and telephone outlets, cable racks and air conditioning, for example. Electrical work is also progressing in the water intake’s hoist rooms.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Supply and assembly of generating units
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 5
Sarcelle jobsite
Rebar, concrete, forms Concrete work all year round Water intake LP – Construction of the upstream side of the powerhouse, initiated at the end of 2009, resumed at a brisk pace when the employees of Nordex, subcontractor for CRT-Hamel, returned to the jobsite. In mid-May, the task for units 21 and 22 was to finish the concrete surfaces. The intake section of unit 23, less advanced than the others, went up quickly. In fact, in early June, the last lintel was completed. The lintels are slightly rounded concrete sections. The powerhouse has six of them, two per unit; the three lintels at the entrance to the water intake are concave and the other three, closer to the bulb turbines, are convex. The curves in the concrete channel the water, reducing turbulence that could affect the generating units.
Diffusers Construction of the diffusers is progressing. The three diffusers will be the last parts of the powerhouse the water will touch on its way out. They are cast to create a funnel effect, thereby increasing drainage capacity. This configuration results in a difference in diameter of approximately 6 metres from the inlet of the draft tube cones to the outlet of the diffusers.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Contrary to the order followed during installation of the draft tube cone armoring, upstream of the diffusers, the excavation, reinforcement, formwork and concreting started with units 21 and 23, adjacent to the rock. The central unit was left free to move material in or out from inside the powerhouse. This was the only place where the bracing (diagonal steel bars) was removed.
6 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
People with a powerful vision
MV – Finishing work in the various rooms of the service area is moving ahead quickly. In the assembly area, the fibre cement coating has been applied. This type of factory-made coating, composed of Portland cement, sand and cellulose fibres, makes it possible to obtain a fire resistance rating for type A fires. Products of this kind require less maintenance and are resistant to insects and mold. More and more electrical conduits, ductwork, plumbing and wiring racks have appeared along the walls and ceilings of the various floors of the service area. The employees of contractor CLS have been hard at work in this part of the powerhouse since February. Working together, electricians, pipefitters, welders and other trades people have kept up with the rapidly advancing architectural work: masonry, drywall installation, plastering, painting, fireproofing, door installation and much more. Some rooms, such as the assembly area, were scheduled for delivery in early May, when workers of contractor Alstom moved into this part of the service area en masse to begin assembly of the first stay ring. Architectural work was also underway outside. Roofing of the powerhouse and railing installation by CRT-Hamel ended in early May.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Sarcelle jobsite
Architectural, mechanical and electrical work
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 7
Sarcelle jobsite
Overhead travelling crane LP – The overhead traveling crane, with a capacity of 210 tonnes, the auxiliary crane, which can lift 25 tonnes, and the mono rail, with a hoist capable of lifting 10 tonnes, were tested at 100% and 125% of their capacities on April 27. The crane officially took its position above the location of the future generating units on May 17.
Superstructure LP – The steel superstructure went up within deadline. In early May, workers of Alma Soudure installed the prefabricated concrete panels forming the upstream wall of the powerhouse. There were nine bays to close using these huge concrete structures manufactured by firm Tremca in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Eight sections of the same size were walled off by seven panels weighing 15,000 pounds apiece; the much larger bay adjacent to the service area required thirteen 17,000-pound panels.
Powerhouse switchyard
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
MV – Hydro-Québec is supervising the beginning of work at the powerhouse switchyard. The excavation of three areas that will hold the three oil recovery basins, the oil recovery separator and several equipment bases for anchoring the towers and transformers has been underway since April. Rebar is also being installed to anchor switchyard components.
8 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
People with a powerful vision
LP – The foundations of section 16 of the powerhouse are taking shape. This last area to be concreted is located on the left bank, on the same side as the Sarcelle control structure. The first pour was on May 6. The 100-m3 concrete base will support the last section of the superstructure. In fact, although the building looks completed, contractor Alma Soudure will be back to finish setting up the steel framework this summer.
Switchyard backfill retaining wall The retaining wall at the entrance to the switchyard, which extends to the gantry crane’s storage area, has been completed since May 31. The 45-m3 concrete wall required only three pours.
Busbar assembly At the entrance to the switchyard, on the powerhouse wall, concrete work on the busbar assembly is finished. The power produced by the generating units will be transmitted through it to the switchyard’s three transformers.
Gantry crane storage area The concrete for the gantry crane storage area, located near the upstream wall of the service area, was completed in early June.
DID YOU KNOW? Names of the units
Since the beginning of work at Sarcelle jobsite, we’ve been talking about units 21 to 23.
Maybe you’ve been wondering why?
Well, the three powerhouses of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project will be operated from a single location, either Eastmain-1 or Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. The names of the units must therefore eliminate the possibility of confusion for the operator in charge. The rest is just a mathematical series: Eastmain-1 powerhouse: 1, 2 and 3; Eastmain-1-A powerhouse: 11, 12, and 13; Sarcelle powerhouse: 21, 22, and 23
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 9
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Sarcelle jobsite
Section 16
Rupert diversion jobsite
More attire for the Rupert River! MEM – June is here with its lovely days during which wildlife and vegetation remind us of their powerful beauty. Consequently, the workers have pleasant weather for their ongoing work on the Rupert River. And it’s progressing well; the rockfill weir at KP 20.4, the spur dikes at KP 49 and 85 and the weir at KP 110 are finished. Here is the work currently underway on the river:
KP 20.4
KP 20.4: The work of dismantling the temporary bridge ended on April 11, which meant the end of Newco’s work on the rock blanket at the weir KP 33: The left and right abutment walls of the weir should be completed in early July, along with the concrete work. In parallel, the excavation and backfill of the future rockfill zoned dam in the central channel began in midApril. KP 33
KP 49: Completed KP 85: Completed
KP 110.3: Completed on April 19 when the entire concrete weir became operational. Work in this area also included the 550-metre-long secondary dam, the two main dikes, the spawning ground developed downstream and the 3.6 kilometres of access road required for this major work.
KP 110.3
10 Eastmain Magazine, April 2010
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Our sincere congratulations go out to contractor Denis Lavoie et Fils for its performance!
Meanwhile, Newco workers closed the right branch, and began in-river concreting of the weir and work on the riverbanks in mid-May.
KP 170
KP 223: The temporary bridge is finished and will be in service as soon as the weir is operational. When the concrete work is finished (late July), the weir’s upstream and downstream cofferdams will be excavated; the excavation materials will be used as fill for the future left cofferdam of the rockfill dam.
KP 223
KP 290: Work on the central channel weir began in early April and will continue until mid-June. Development of the fish pass will continue until the end of June.
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Rupert diversion jobsite
KP 170: On April 9, the left branch of the river was cleared to allow the weir to become operational.
KP 290
Eastmain Magazine, April 2010 11
Rupert diversion jobsite
Rupert spillway
Present for the first gate opening at the Rupert spillway: SEBJ occupational health and safety officials, Environnement Illimité and Ingénierie mise en eau.
MEM – On May 8, 2010, at 10 a.m., the Rupert spillway gates were operated for the first time to meet the spring instream flow commitments.
Over a five-day period, at a rate of two operations per day, the Rupert River’s flow was gradually ramped up to 416 m3, as planned.
MAKING SENSE OF IT Does distinguishing the left bank from the right bank and upstream from downstream make your head swim? LP – It’s not always easy to figure out what’s left or right since it all depends where you’re standing. In building a powerhouse, there aren’t two lefts or two rights. To speak the same language, you have to be looking downstream (in the direction of flow) to name the two banks correctly.
12 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
So, let’s recap—upstream is where the flow is coming from and downstream is where it’s going. So, facing downstream, that bank on the right is the right bank. Now it makes sense!
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
My left or the other left?
MEM – By definition, a spawning ground is an aquatic habitat where various fish species lay and fertilize their eggs at specific times of the year *. Is it just a pile of stones in the water? Not only—and not exactly! Several design criteria must be met. First, you have to be familiar with the characteristics of the breeding grounds of species that will use it. You also have to select a natural site, if one is available, that corresponds to those characteristics, otherwise you have to create it. The substrate—the material that forms the bed of the stream or river and serves as a support for living organisms—should essentially be composed of natural stones that are fluvial in origin, that is to say, stones that are already resistant to water conditions. They can vary in dimension from 40 to 1100 mm, depending on the calculated position.
In fact, spawning ground design is based primarily on major mathematical equations. Among other things, these equations can be used to establish the best location for a spawning ground on the basis of flow velocity, flow volume, water depth and sediment movement. The spawning ground is also laid out to ensure maximum stability and to withstand spring floods and ice movement that could move the substrate’s small stones and destroy the eggs. The risk of erosion of the substrate due to rock and sediment abrasion in the water is minimized and even eliminated by stabilizing the banks and trapping fine particles using a filter. Impressive dynamics! Now you know what to answer when someone asks: Is it just a pile of stones in the water?
*(TRADUCTION) MULTI Dictionnaire de la langue française, DE VILLIERS Marie-Eva, Québec Amérique, 4e Édition, 2003. Reference: Aménagements pour l’ichtyofaune - Ouvrage de restitution de la Lemare, Énoncé d’envergure Génivar Société en commandites, Juin 2008, Q107523
Instream flow design of the Rupert River NF – In accordance with the Boumhounan Agreement, an average of 30% of the Rupert River’s flow is restored annually at the Rupert dam site for species maintenance. This instream flow was established following an environmental impact assessment inspired by the Québec government’s policy on instream flow for protection of fish and their habitat. The assessment took into account the species present in the river, their biological periods and their special needs in terms of habitat. Five species are considered representative of the Rupert’s fish community: lake sturgeon, walleye, northern sucker, white sucker and lake whitefish. They occupy the entire reduced flow stretch of the river
and breed in areas of shallow rapids, which are sensitive to changes in flow. A modeling approach was used to determine the minimum flow needed to protect the spawning grounds of the target species. Actually, a precise relationship between flow and habitat is involved. To establish this relationship two kilometrelong sections, located at KP 281 and KP 216, were selected and many physical and biological surveys were conducted. The results were interpreted in a way that ensures that the selected instream flows will effectively protect breeding habitats and the sustainability of the species studied.
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 13
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Rupert diversion jobsite
Spawning grounds: underwater mathematics
Safety—our priority When planning the projects, HydroQuébec Équipement et services partagés and SEBJ ensure that they are implemented in compliance with schedules, costs, quality, environment and human safety. No objective-related deadline can justify endangering your health and safety or anyone else’s. Methodical planning, development and dissemination of safe work procedures, as well as compliance with regulations, should be emphasized, promoted and, most importantly, become part of your daily routine.
activities to eliminate or control hazards at the source and correcting hazardous situations, you are helping to establish a safe environment for everyone. Hydro-Québec and SEBJ are Québec institutions that strive to accomplish major high-quality projects involving workers, partners and staff. I am counting on you to work towards this goal together. Normand Béchard Director – Eastmain Projects
When you do your part, taking action before or during construction and other
THE HARNESS —AN ALLY Successful simulation!
14 Eastmain Magazine, June 2010
MV – A simulation of the use of fall protection equipment was held at the Eastmain-1-A and Sarcelle jobsites. Martin Savard, of SPI Sécurité, and Guy Dufour, a representative of the firm SALA, showed workers the importance of a properly adjusted harness and spoke about new technologies. During the simulation, Denis Belley of CRT-Hamel played the part of guinea pig.
People with a powerful vision
Environment Month at the jobsite
Tour of diked bay BE-07: the visitors discovered idyllic sites.
France Brûlé, SEBJ Environment Protection Manager, during the tour of environmental facilities
CL – May 2010 was Environment Month. It was observed throughout the workcamps of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. For the occasion, several activities to educate people about nature, outdoor sports and mitigation measures were organized by the Environment team.
forty workers took part in the tour of the environmental facilities around Eastmain workcamp. France Brûlé, SEBJ Environment Protection Manager, eloquently described five environmental structures designed for the Eastmain-1 hydroelectric development project.
Tours, spring cleaning days, hiking and canoe races are some examples of the many activities that will be held until the end of July in some workcamps. The first, held Sunday, May 2, was a huge success; some
For dates of upcoming activities, keep an eye on the bulletin boards or visit the special“Mois de l’environnement”section at www.extranetsebj.ca.
Profile
Making room for youth! MEM – Her interest in the natural environment at the family cottage in the Eastern Townships and her obvious skills in science led Isabelle Bertrand to opt for lengthy studies in environment. At 28, she has already been working on the project for 3 years. After a stint with the Eastmain environment team until March 2009, she joined the Rupert diversion project.
SEBJ-HQ promotes knowledge transfer to maintain a leadership position,” she said proudly. It’s an example of the significant room being made for young people. Bright eyed, she explains how proud she is of the results of environmental work. “My challenge is to make sure everything is done according to environmental requirements. I like it when the government approves our approach. I like it when the Crees tell me they are satisfied with the drinking water in Waskaganish. The human environment is very important to me. The beauty of a project is reconciling points of view, finding common ground.”
Always smiling, she exudes a natural energy! She is thrilled with her experience at the jobsite—the diversity of Isabelle Bertrand tasks, multiple responsibilities and Technical Assistant – Environment freedom of action make it very rewarding. “It’s a unique opportunity to work with people It’s a sure bet that young people of this calibre who have so much experience in the field. will convince us to meet future environmental challenges.
Eastmain Magazine, June 2010 15
On June 1, sport fishing began in the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert area. As in previous years, the 2010 season will be managed by the Weh-Sees Indohoun (WSI) Corporation in association with the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (MRNF).
Fishing and mercury The Weh-Sees Indohoun Corporation
Fish consumption and mercury
CD – The WSI is a Cree/Hydro-Québec joint venture. Its mandate is to oversee the sport hunting and fishing activities of project workers and other non-Aboriginal land users to ensure the conservation of wildlife and fish in the area.
Mercury is a naturally occurring element in the lakes of northern Québec. The impoundment of hydroelectric reservoirs leads to the transformation of the mercury in vegetation and flooded soil and its circulation in the aquatic environment. This results in an increase in mercury content in fish, which may last for about 10 to 35 years, depending on the species of fish and type of reservoir.
As was the case in recent summers, anyone wanting to fish in WSI territory must have a WSI pass, in addition to a fishing license from the Québec government. The pass is available free of charge at workcamp WSI offices from Monday to Sunday, from noon to 10 p.m. WSI employees monitor catches to ensure that when the quota established by the MNRF for a lake is reached, it is closed for the rest of the season. Anglers must return the passes to the WSI after their fishing trip, otherwise the maximum number of catches per angler will be recorded for the lake. This means that the lake will reach its quota quickly, after which fishing is prohibited there.
As expected, the mercury levels of fish in Eastmain and Opinaca reservoirs, in the Eastmain River between these two reservoirs, and in Boyd Lake are influenced by the impoundment of Eastmain reservoir. The increase in mercury content of fish will continue for several more years. This change calls for caution in eating fish from these waters. The following table gives recommendations regarding fish consumption. Anglers should make sure they do not exceed the level of mercury exposure deemed safe by public health agencies.
Maximum recommended fish consumption
Recommendations for Eastmain and Opinaca reservoirs, Boyd Lake and the Eastmain River (between Eastmain and Opinaca reservoirs) Brook trout Walleye Pike (speckled trout) Adults (except pregnant women) Pregnant women
8 meals/month 2 meals/month
1 meal/month Not recommended
1 meal/month Not recommended
4 meals/month 2 meals/month
4 meals/month 2 meals/month
In comparison, the recommendations for natural environments Adults (except pregnant women) Pregnant women
No restrictions 8 meals/month
N.B.: One meal equals 230 grams or 8 ounces.
Since the early 1980s, Hydro-Québec has been conducting extensive research on mercury. Studies on this subject have shown that mercury levels in Aboriginal people and anglers are well below the threshold at which the first effects related to mercury (numbness in fingers and toes) could appear.
A background document on mercury and fish consumption is available at the WSI offices. For more information about mercury, you can also visit Hydro-Québec’s website on this subject at http://www.hydroquebec.com/ sustainable-development/documentation/mercure.html