Cote First Nation Fence Post Treatment Site Remediation
Cote First Nation is located north of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and within the Reserve boundaries was a former fence post treatment facility that operated for approximately 10 seasons before closing in the late 1980s. The facility used chemicals to preserve the wood that can have adverse effects on humans, animals and the environment in certain concentrations. The site of the former facility is located within Badgerville near residences and gathering places, posing a concern for the Cote First Nation Council and its members.
Over several years, KGS Group conducted environmental assessments and oversaw the remediation of the former facility site. For the first time in approximately 45 years, the contaminated soils associated with the facility, were fully remediated.
Notably, as part of the project, an impressive 9,000 person-hours of work were completed by personnel from the Cote First Nation. The total value of purchased local borrow materials, worker wages and equipment rentals supplied by the First Nation was approximately $843,000. Executed in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the project presented on-the-job training and mentorship opportunities for the Cote First Nation. Overall, the project was a collaborative process that was mutually beneficial to all parties and was largely successful because of the local Nation’s involvement.
With the site of the former facility now safely remediated, the Cote First Nation can begin planning for future development in the area. What was once a potential hazard, is now a place of great possibility.
Project Highlights
- Environmental assessments over multiple seasons to delineate impacts and guide remediation
- Remediation of contaminated soils within the former facility footprint
- Tissue sampling on vegetation within the impacted area to confirm no uptake by trees
- Supply and placement of local borrow materials for backfill and site restoration
- Site regrading and cleanup to stabilize surfaces and improve near‑term usability
- Community engagement, on‑site training and mentorship delivered by KGS Group
- More than 9,000 hours completed by Cote First Nation personnel
- $843,000 in materials, wages and equipment rentals from within Cote First Nation
Central Manitoba Mine Remediation
The Central Manitoba Mine, an abandoned mine site in Nopiming Provincial Park, was a top remediation priority for the Province of Manitoba because of the presence of major hazards to the public and environment. The site contained acid-generating tailings, waste rock, abandoned infrastructure and unsafe mine openings that lead to a network of underground mine development.
KGS Group spearheaded the site’s transformation. This project involved the development of comprehensive closure plans, the design of innovative remediation solutions, and construction administration.
The result: public safety was ensured, health hazards eliminated, and the site was restored to satisfactory conditions, mitigating extensive contamination and environmental risks.
Project Highlights
- Site assessment, risk evaluation and closure planning
- Containment and treatment of acid‑generating tailings and waste rock
- Securing unsafe mine openings, decommissioning abandoned infrastructure and debris removal
- Construction administration, contractor oversight and regulatory coordination
Davis Diversion Coanda Fish Exclusion Screen
The Davis Diversion was built in 1939 near the town of Maple Creek. The main purpose of this canal is to divert unregulated flow to Cypress Lake, the main source of drinking water and irrigation projects in Southwestern Saskatchewan. Operation of the original diversion has, in the past, resulted in stranding of at risk fish species.
The Water Security Agency (WSA) ceased operation of the diversion system while contemplating solutions. KGS Group developed a solution consisting of the design and construction of a new concrete weir with a Coanda fish exclusion screen, combined with a new rock ramp fishway. This structure provides a novel solution for WSA to achieve its water management objectives, while protecting the area’s sensitive aquatic environment and bringing infrastructure into regulatory compliance.
Project Highlights
- Conceptual and detailed design of fish exclusion at diversion intake
- Replacement and modernization of aging water control structures
- Upstream fish passage integrated around the control structure
- Final product was in complete compliance with Fisheries Act and SARA
- Enables resumption of diversion operations to Cypress Lake
Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels
Following severe flooding events in 2011 and 2014, the Province of Manitoba retained KGS Group for the design of the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project. The outlet channels will serve as new, permanent flood control infrastructure for both lakes.
Completed under tight schedule restrictions, the conceptual design work involved:
- Remote field investigations
- Extensive review and analysis of the various channel configurations
- Preparation of concept designs, cost estimates and constructability reviews
- Identification, assessment and screening of potential environmental and socio-economic impacts
The diverse range of design components and unique site conditions resulted in a challenging engineering undertaking that was successfully managed by the multidisciplinary team of experienced engineers, GIS technicians and support staff assembled by KGS Group.
KGS Group subsequently completed the preliminary, final design and tender preparation for the outlet channel from Lake St. Martin to Lake Winnipeg. The project includes roughly 23 km of channel excavation, multiple drop structures, and construction of a water control structure near the channel inlet complete with gates, hoists, bridge deck and ancillary buildings. The total estimated budget for this portion of the project is over $300 million. The construction phase of the project is pending regulatory approval.
Once constructed, the outlet channels are projected to maintain both lakes below flood stage over 99 per cent of the time. They will provide the ability to better regulate the lakes and reduce the impact of future floods, benefiting residents and businesses in the area.
Project Highlights
- Design for 23 km of channel excavation with defined sections and earthworks quantities
- Design of multiple drop structures sized for hydraulic control and energy dissipation
- Water control structure near the channel inlet for operational regulation
Churchill Rocket Range Environmental Services
The Churchill Rocket Range, a former launch site east of Churchill, required environmental due diligence and cleanup ahead of ownership transfer to the Town of Churchill. KGS Group provided consulting services to assess site conditions, plan remediation and support safe deconstruction.
Before ownership transfer, we completed an environmental site assessment, a non-hazardous and hazardous materials inventory, including hazardous building materials sampling and a rocket debris waste survey, a remediation and hazardous materials management plan and mould and asbestos abatement specifications.
Following completion of the initial work, the rocket range was transferred to the Town of Churchill and KGS Group was retained to manage and coordinate activities related to soil remediation and demolition of several buildings and structures at the site. Remedial activities included excavation and disposal of contaminated soils in an onsite constructed land farm as approved by the province.
Successful completion of this project required careful planning due to short field seasons and limited equipment, as well as the ability to adapt to variable conditions encountered in this unique Canadian subarctic environment.
Project Highlights
- Hazardous/non‑hazardous materials inventory and rocket debris survey
- Remediation and hazardous materials management plan and mould and asbestos abatement specifications
- Soil remediation via excavation and onsite land farm, demolition of selected buildings/structures
Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement
The Pointe du Bois Generating Station is the oldest operating hydroelectric plant in Manitoba. Despite extensive upgrades and ongoing maintenance over the years, the original spillway required replacement. The Pointe du Bois Spillway Replacement project included the design and construction of a new remotely operated 7-bay spillway and a new 1km long zoned earthfill dam, complete with an ancillary support building for electrical switch gear and control systems, a backup diesel generator, and other related infrastructure.
As the prime consultant, KGS Group worked collaboratively with Manitoba Hydro as the designer in an early contractor involvement project delivery process. KGS also provided full-time technical support and quality assurance assistance through construction, commissioning and close-out activities.
The final design was carried out entirely within a 3D digital environment, and was paramount for the successful execution of all stages of the project. This innovative approach gave the team the ability to visualize the end product at the design stage and enabled harmonious advancement of the project across multiple disciplines.
The several hundred-million-dollar project was successfully completed without any interruptions to the ongoing operation of the plant, while protecting and preserving established lake sturgeon habitat and restoring the natural landscape in this environmentally sensitive provincial park setting.
Project Highlights
- New remotely operated seven bay spillway, support building and backup diesel generator
- New 1km long zoned earthfill embankment dam
- 3D digital design environment
- The several hundred‑million‑dollar capital program was completed without operational interruptions
- Enhanced safety and control, extended asset life and a more reliable discharge capacity
- Lake sturgeon habitat protected and the landscape in the provincial park was restored
Cote First Nation Solid Waste Transfer Station
Cote First Nation had been experiencing significant solid waste management challenges including inconsistent collection services and unmanned and non-engineered dump sites throughout the Reserve. Additionally, the main landfill site was note engineered which posed a significant risks to the surrounding soil and groundwater.
To ensure waste was being managed in a sustainable manner, Cote First Nation engaged KGS Group to review their waste management practices and design and oversee the construction of a new solid waste transfer station. We also supported community engagement events to share the importance of transfer stations and responsible waste management practices.
During construction, nearly 2,000 hours were completed by Cote First Nation members, and the total value of purchased material, worker wages and equipment rentals from the Nation was approximately $126,500. This project also presented on-the-job training and mentorship opportunities for members of Cote First Nation and was seen as a community-driven process that was mutually beneficial to everyone.
The positive effects of the project will be evident through the waste diverted from unmanned dump sites, the protected soil and groundwater, and the sense of empowerment felt across Cote First Nation to continue with responsible waste management practices.
Project Highlights
- Design and oversaw construction of a new solid waste transfer station
- 2,000 hours contributed by Cote First Nation members to complete the project and $126,500 spent on local materials, wages and rentals
- Improved protection of soil and groundwater with waste diverted from unmanned landfills
- On‑the‑job training and mentorship for Cote First Nation members
Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba Basins Flood Mitigation Study
The flood of 2011 highlighted several potential “weak links” in Manitoba’s flood control system, which resulted in widespread damage across the province. To address the propensity for flooding in the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba basins, KGS Group carried out a flood mitigation study, which identified major flood vulnerabilities and assessed a wide range of measures to improve protection in the region.
A vast amount of data was reviewed and over 70 mitigation options were evaluated including dikes, reservoirs, diversion channels, wetland restoration and development controls. As well, a number of sophisticated models were developed to calculate cost-benefit ratios and the economic viability of the options.
Working collaboratively with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, the project team developed a technical workshop and held public open house events to incorporate important feedback into the study findings.
The results of the study identified over $1 billion of flood mitigation upgrades required to increase the flood protection level to provincial standards across the basin. The results will also serve as the foundation for major flood mitigation programs for the next several decades.
Project Highlights
- Reviewed and synthesized basin‑wide datasets to establish current and future flood risk profiles
- Evaluated 70+ mitigation options, including dikes and levees, reservoirs and storage, diversion channels, wetland restoration, development controls
- Compiled actionable study deliverables for program planning
Environmental Research and Development
Our environmental services team actively seeks out opportunities to conduct research in a number of environmental disciplines, to advance our knowledge base, and to optimize solutions for real-life problems our clients are facing. Many of our projects benefit from this research. Some of our most recent research and development activities include:
Landfill Leachate Treatment
Since 2013, KGS Group has conceptualized and carried out several research and development projects involving laboratory and field scale activities aimed at reducing handling and treatment volumes of landfill leachate, including leachate irrigation studies, alternative chemical and physical treatment processes, and enhanced evaporation techniques.
Landfill Methane Mitigation
In 2014, KGS Group partnered with the University of Manitoba to develop design parameters for an innovative landfill biocover, designed to oxidize fugitive methane emissions. The first two phases of this multi-year project were carried out under laboratory conditions, followed by field trials at a waste management facility in the City of Winnipeg.
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment
KGS Group is active in investigating the treatment of AMD from former mine sites in northern Manitoba. The objectives of these studies are to optimize the typical treatment process, and to develop cost-effective technologies directed at minimizing the use of chemicals, while improving operation of the treatment process.
Phosphorus Treatment
We are also developing technology for the treatment of insoluble phosphates applied to agricultural fields with manure, such as hog operations, to recover the phosphorus for fertilizer applications and to reduce phosphate loading on the surface water runoff to rivers and lakes.
Crossing Enhancements on Beaver Creek at Historic Fort Ellice
The Crossing Enhancements on the Beaver Creek project aimed to reconcile human infrastructure with the natural environment at the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Fort Ellice property. The project focused on modifying a concrete ford crossing that impeded fish migration on Beaver Creek, to enhance bi-directional fish passage, maintain structural integrity and minimize ecological disruption.
Collaborative efforts led to the development of a rock ramp, that balanced technical feasibility, ecological sensitivity and regulatory compliance. The rock ramp now serves as a success story for future leaders and caretakers of the land and exemplifies sustainable conservation that combines sound engineering with environmental stewardship.
Project Highlights
- Modified the existing concrete ford crossing to reduce hydraulic barriers to fish movement
- Constructed a naturalized rock ramp to enable bi‑directional fish passage
- Configured ramp geometry and rock gradation to maintain crossing stability while minimizing habitat disruption