Context and Issue
Following the events of the Saguenay flood in July 1996, it was crucial to develop a manual mechanism to reduce the reaction time to evacuate water from a dam reservoir in the event of major floods.
Developed Solution
The design of controlled-release stop logs (CRSL) was chosen. The CRSL are the perfect solution to prevent similar situations in the future. The trigger mechanism is completely manual, without external energy supply required in case of a major power outage. Tests carried in factory allowed us to validate and improve the design. With minor modifications, these beams can replace a conventional gate or existing stop logs.
Site Implementation
Controlled-release stop logs were installed notably at the Grand-Mère dam near Shawinigan, QC.