We have undertaken many studies to describe historical changes to shoreline position and channel morphology, based on comparison of multiple sets of historical imagery and our knowledge of fluvial and lacustrine morphology processes. We have undertaken assignments to characterize morphological processes and conditions on rivers, either to define baseline (pre-Project) conditions or to assess the effects that a project, such as a dam or dikes, has had on sediment transport and erosion processes in a waterway.
JDMA has conducted a morphological study of the Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg using multiple sets of historical air photos and high-resolution satellite imagery and we carried out regional cumulative effects study of lakes and riverine sections covering nearly 27,000 km of shoreline along the Nelson, Churchill, Rat and Burntwood rivers using Landsat imagery and historical air photos to evaluate the regional cumulative effects of hydroelectric development on erosion. We have also characterized baseline erosional conditions on the lower Nelson River for the Conawapa Environmental Impact Assessment studies, and were responsible for drafting the River Morphology chapter for the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. In another project, a UAV was used to collect topographic data to supplement an assessment of historical shoreline erosion on a reservoir in southern Saskatchewan and to recommend ways of optimizing shoreline protection efforts.
