A research partnership between Mohawk College and the City of Hamilton has created some ripples in the Canadian water management sector and has been shortlisted for a national Water Canada Award in the Stormwater category.
The City of Hamilton's Water team partnered with Mohawk College's Unmanned and Remote Sensing Innovation Centre (URSIC), part of the college's IDEAWORKS applied research division, to explore the use of drones to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of surveying Hamilton's stormwater ponds for maintenance purposes. The research demonstrated that the survey can be conducted by drones reliably and accurately.
"We are proud of this successful collaboration with the City of Hamilton, and we are grateful that our research has been recognized by Water Canada," said Mohawk College Dean of Applied Research Cristina Gage. "This research is a fitting example of how applied research can help organizations address operational problems. Our drone-based approach not only improved data accuracy for the City but also improved the safety and efficiency of its stormwater pond management practices."
Hamilton is responsible for monitoring 137 stormwater management facilities, including 70 wet ponds and wetlands. Accurate data collection from these ponds is essential for compliance with regulations, protecting the natural environment, and informing the City's decisions regarding scheduled dredging activities.
"The City of Hamilton is honoured to be a finalist for multiple Water Canada awards," said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager with the City of Hamilton "Through our collaborative research project with Mohawk College, Hamilton Water staff are able to enhance stormwater pond management within the City, which in turn protects our vital waterways."
Traditional surveying methods involve manual, labour-intensive measurements, which can lead to inaccurate data and imprecise dredging schedules. To address these challenges, the City of Hamilton and URSIC tested a drone-based echo sounder. This advancement enables the City of Hamilton to optimize maintenance schedules, ensuring timely and cost-effective dredging operations while ensuring sustainable operation of Hamilton's drainage system.
The successful deployment of this technology in Hamilton provides a compelling innovation in traditional stormwater management practices, offering a more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective method for maintaining critical infrastructure.
