Pond Decommissioning | WestMET ERS

Project

Prairie Mines & Royalty ULC (PMRU) was focused on decommissioning and reclaiming the Cabin Creek Pond at the former Gregg River Mine (GRM) in an effort to reduce the site liability and advance overall site closure. Cabin Creek Pond, which was the last remaining industrial component of the former GRM, was controlled by a 1200mm diameter decant structure and had a storage capacity of approximately 250m3. The pond outlets to Cabin Creek which flows into the Gregg River.

Solution

WestMET ERS worked with the client as well as trusted sub-consultants and contractors in order to advance the decommissioning design, including the field implementation. The design consisted of a free-flowing channel that utilized a combination of rip rap and salvaged vegetation based on current and future flow volume. This process required communication, submissions and approvals from the Alberta Energy Regulator, Transportation and Economic Corridors and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. During construction, WestMET oversaw site operations, documented all activities, implemented the Care of Water program and interacted with all regulators as well as the general public.

Result

The pond decommissioning was successfully implemented, including all erosion protection installation and seeding, to the engineer specifications resulting in a free-flowing channel that connects upstream flow to the downstream Cabin Creek.