Page - 699 - in Book of Full Papers - Symposium Hydro Engineering

COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE DES GRANDS BARRAGES ------- VINGT-SIXIÈME CONGRÈS DES GRANDS BARRAGES Autriche, juillet 2018 ------- REMOTE INSPECTION OF SMALL DAMS AND LEVEES* Bill SHERWOOD Business Development, ASI MARINE, ST. CATHARINES CANADA 1. INTRODUCTION Inspections of small dams can present challenges that hinder comprehensive condition assessment. These can include health and safety of personnel, limited access to the inspection area, and water conditions. Each project brings unique complexities, so is important to assess and consider a range of technology and equipment. In this paper, we will review a project where methodology was amended to suit site conditions. 2. METHODS The original proposed solution to complete this specific dam inspection was to utilize an inspection vessel equipped with sonar systems for data collection. However, as water levels were discovered to be too low for vessel operations, an alternative solution was required. Therefore, a comparative study of technology and equipment suitable for the project was analyzed. In the end, the project involved design and fabrication of an unmanned surface vessel (USV), which was identified as the safest and most adaptable platform for site conditions. 699