Fortis recently completed a project at the SaskPower Hydroelectric Station in Nipawin, replacing the old seasonal buoys with a new permanent boom system. The new ODINFloat pontoons made by Worthington Products Inc. have a swivel-free, pipe-through design that allows for the use of high-strength alloy chain to be extended through the center of each boom. This allows the pontoons to rotate freely while maintaining exceptional durability. The pontoons and two 58-inch Spherical Warning Buoys that are attached to each segment are federal standard yellow (FS13655) making the system much more visible especially in circumstances of low visibility.

The boom acts as a physical barrier for the dangerous flow areas around the Hydroelectric Station powerhouse intake and Spillway. With its strength, it can help unpowered or distressed watercraft/persons from reaching danger. However, it is not the intent of the boom to restrain large watercrafts such as tugboats or to restrain any watercraft with the intent to damage.  

The new Safety Boom System consists of 266 pontoons divided into six segments, stretching across the lake from West to East shores.  On the west shore, a 16 cubic meter concrete “Deadman” anchor block was poured 3 meters subgrade to connect the west side of the safety boom system. The east shore comprised 7 individual concrete “Lego” blocks chained together to support the east connection of the safety boom system.

To Anchor the Safety Boom System underwater, 12,000 lbs and 16,000 lbs “Drag Embedment” instream anchors were placed on the lakebed and set to a prescribed tension to ensure maximum holding strength. Once the new Safety Boom System was successfully installed, the old buoys were removed from the water to complete the project.

Successfully executing projects such as Safety Boom Systems and other Dam-related work is an excellent example of the Northern Strands Group of Companies' diverse capabilities. A significant advantage to selecting Fortis as your field service provider for Dam related projects is the direct access to Northern Strands (Fortis’ Parent Company) as an industry leader for all the wire rope, chain, rigging components, and inspections required to successfully, and safely, execute this type of work.

More information on our capabilities can be found here: NSGC-overview.pdf (12.3MB)

Fortis Corporation is proud to be a part of CWB, the Canadian Welding Bureau. They are an industry-supported private sector organization providing welding certification, management systems registration, and training services to over 7600 companies in 48 countries. The CWB was formed over 70 years ago to administer Canada’s national welding standards, which are in the national building code as well as other industry-specific documents. While companies operating in the structural and erecting industries are required to be CWB certified, other companies can seek credentials as the CWB is the only nationally recognized credential. 

Unlike some other qualifications in the field, being CWB certified ensures any work done is to the highest standard possible. To hold this certification the individual must conform to specific testing and procedures that are monitored on an ongoing basis. This means that all elements of our operation are independently verified by the Canadian Welding Bureau regularly. Fortis goes above and beyond to maintain this standard so we know the work being done in our shop is of top quality and has the certification behind it. 

Fortis is certified in steel and stainless steel as well as having level 1 weld inspectors on site. Our team of welders and fabricators can take on any job from small D-plates to full mine refurbishment jobs. For more information on past projects check out: https://www.fortiscorporation.com/projects-fabrication.aspx or contact us at info@fortiscorporation.com

For more information on CWB certification see here: https://www.cwbgroup.org/safety/industry/welding-certification

Fortis was contracted by SaskPower for the removal of an existing safety boom and the supply and installation of a new water safety boom system for E.B. Campbell Dam. As General Contractor, Fortis constructed a laydown area along the South shore of the spillway and set sail to a month-long project alongside several subcontractors. Early milestone tasks consisted of placing large, floating barge sections into the water and building an access platform for a 55T RT Crane to be positioned onto the H-Barge.

The new safety boom system consisted of 20,000 lb. 5’x5’ concrete anchor blocks placed underwater via the 55T RT Crane atop the floating barges and a diving crew for safe handling/lowering and rigging.  These concrete anchors were the foundation for the 24” diameter x 20’ & 40’ steel pipe pontoons (painted to spec and filled with EPS Foam for floatation) positioned and anchored across the water from South shore to North shore, near the E.B. Campbell Spillway.  A 24” x 30’ vertical steel pile was driven into the ground along the North dam and utilized as tie-off/anchorage for the steel safety pontoons. 

Project Subcontractors:

- Dominion Diving (Diving Crew; Barge sections and Water Vessel Supply) 

- Prairie Crane (Operator w/ 100T and 55T RT Cranes for project)

- Saskatchewan River Business Corporation (Local labourer assistance)

- Gary Taylor Trenching (Excavating and earthworks)

- Dart Services (Vertical Pile supply and installation)

Major Suppliers:

- Fortis Mfg. (Steel pontoons and floats fabrication/supply)

- Northern Strands (All permanent chain, wire rope and rigging materials)

- Pre-Con (concrete anchor blocks)

Link to youtube slide show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLc9YyxQtkE