sebj journal novembre eng 08

Vol. 6, No. 7, November 2008

CONCRETE FOUNDATIONSfor Eastmain-1-A powerhouse

FEATUREon the Sarcelle jobsite

A platform that’s up to the job

People with a powerful vision

KL- In the James Bay territory, road construction and access to natural resources are intimately related. In fact, nearly half of the 3000-kilometre network of roads across the James Bay territory was built by SEBJ during the 70s and 80s as part of the hydroelectric development of the La Grande complex. The road network is still growing, linking the various project jobsites.

Some roads have even become famous and number among the region’s tourist attractions. The James Bay Highway, the 620-kilometre stretch of road connecting Matagami and Radisson, is a case in point. With a load capacity of more than 500 metric tons, it was initially built to enable machinery and workers to reach the major jobsites of the James Bay hydroelectric project by land.

Frequent heavy vehicle transportation is an ever-present reality in the region. For example, as of November, eighteen truckloads of sections of penstock armouring will be on the road between Matagami and the Eastmain-1-A jobsite.

Armouring

Manufactured in Matagami by contractor LAR Machinerie, the huge sections are 8.8 metres (28 feet) in diameter. They will be hauled by Chicoutimi company Jules Savard. Since the loads will be oversize/overweight, road closures are to be expected in the coming months.

Accordingly, to inform road users, a dozen road signs have already been put

There will be overweight/oversize transportation on the James Bay highway and the Route du Nord this winter. From November to March, tra� c will be disrupted by about thirty truckloads. During a few periods, the road will be completely closed.

To � nd out whether any overweight/oversize loads will be on the road when you’re planning to travel, contact us at 1 888 676-4636 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding and drive safely!

up along the Route du Nord, James Bay highway and Muskeg road. Drivers will be able to call Public Relations at the jobsite directly to � nd out about the dates and times of upcoming convoys.

Overweight/oversize loadsFind out before getting behind the wheel!

There will be overweight/oversize transportation on the James Bay highway and the Route du Nord this winter. From November to March, tra� c will be disrupted by about thirty truckloads. During a few periods, the road will be completely closed.

To � nd out whether any overweight/oversize loads will be on the road when you’re planning to travel, contact us at 1 888 676-4636 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding and drive safely!

Overweight/oversize loadsFind out before getting behind the wheel!

Supervisor - SEBJ Public Relations Yves Barrette / Artistic Director Bionda Miotto / Editor-in-Chief Jimmy Lavoie 819 672-2200, ext. 3853, [email protected] Writers Brian Brousseau, Véronique Gagnon-Piquès, Nathalie Girard, Karine Lemay, Liza PerronContributor Marvyn Bergeron, health and occupational safety Translator Margaret Kane Savage / Graphics Paul Salois Design / Photographer Paul Brindamour / Printer Imprimerie LebonfonEastmain Magazine is published by SEBJ Public Relations for the workers of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. (© SEBJ. All rights reserved.)Internet site: www.hydroquebec.com/rupert Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca

Eastmain Magazine is printed on chlorine- and acid-free EcoLogo certi� ed paper, made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumer � bre, manufactured using biogas energy.

2 Eastmain Magazine, November 2008 People with a powerful vision

Sarcelle powerhouse

NG - On October 25, 2008, contractor EBC-Neilson s.e.n.c. had excavated at least 94,000 m3 of rock at the headrace and tailrace of the Sarcelle powerhouse. By the end of 2008, 400,000 m3 more

will have been excavated, bringing the amount removed by then to 53% of the total. The diversion channel near dike OA-02 and the co� erdam upstream of the powerhouse should be completed by 2009.

Eastmain Magazine, November 2008 3

THE

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Réservoir Opinaca

Campement de la Sarcelle

Centrale de l’Eastmain-1-A

Centrale de l’Eastmain-1

Réservoir de l’Eastmain 1

Centrale de la Sarcelle

Campementde l’Eastmain

PosteMuskeg

Campement de la Sarcelle

Centrale de l’Eastmain-1-A

Réservoir de l’Eastmain 1

Campementde l’Eastmain

PosteMuskeg

Centrale de l’Eastmain-1

Réservoir Opinaca

Sarcellepowerhouse

Sarcelleworkcamp

Eastmain-1powerhouse

Eastmain-1-Apowerhouse

Eastmainworkcamp

Muskegsubstation

Opinaca reservoir

Canal C-5ACanal C-5Canal C-6Canal C-7

Canal C-4

Canal C-3

Canal C-2

Canal C-1

Canal C-1A

Rupert dam

Lemaredam

Rupertworkcamp

Transfertunnel

Arquesdike

Nemiscau-2dam

Nemiscau-1dam

Eastmain 1reservoir

Rupe

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ilbay

Rupe

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reba

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THE

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Nemiscau-2 instream � ow release structure

Transfer tunnel outlet channel

Ruisseau-Arques instream � ow release structure

Lemare instream � ow release structure

Canals

VGP - It will be a quiet winter at Rupert jobsite. Contractor CRT-Hamel has completed canals C-1 and C-1A, while contractor CCDC has � nished canals C-2 and C-4 as well as most of the transfer tunnel’s outlet channel. Work on Canal C-3 will resume in late March.

Nearly 200 kilometres to the north, Cegerco, subcontractor for Entreprises JVC, will complete concrete work on the Sakami canal’s weir in mid-December. Entreprises JVC will continue working through the winter.

Instream � ow release structures

Contractor CCDC is � nishing up work on the Ruisseau-Arques and Nemiscau-2 instream � ow release structures. Concrete work has been completed on both. The crews are currently making sure that the mechanical parts work well and are installing the electrical and mechanical systems. Both structures should be � nished by the end of 2008.

The Lemare River instream � ow release structure has been completed. The employees of contractor SBC-EMF are � nalizing work on the service building.

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Rupert Dam

Lemare Dam

Rupert Dam

Dams

VGP - From south to north, back� lling has been completed at Rupert, Lemare and Nemiscau-1 dams. Construction of the three structures required almost 971,000 m3 of material. Nemiscau-2 dam will be built next year.

You may recall that Nemiscau-1 dam, with its asphalt concrete core, is the � rst of its kind in North America. Hydro-Québec Construction crews have been working all summer with Kolo-Veidekke and Pavex employees to complete the project.


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Canal C-4

Canal C-3

Canal C-2

Canal C-1

Canal C-1A

Rupe

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jobs

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ams

Rupert dam

Lemaredam

Rupertworkcamp

Transfertunnel

Arquesdike

Nemiscau-2dam

Nemiscau-1dam

Eastmain 1reservoir

Rupe

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ilbay

Rupe

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Tran

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Transfer tunnel

VGP - Blasting of the bench at the transfer tunnel has now been completed. It took the contractor almost 6 months to � nish the bench excavation. The tunnel has reached its � nal dimensions: 2.9 kilometres long, 13 metres wide and 18 metres high.

The transfer tunnel can now go into hibernation; there is no further work to be done until it starts up in 2009.


Canal C-4

Canal C-3

Canal C-2

Canal C-1

Canal C-1A

Rupert dam

Lemaredam

Rupertworkcamp

Transfertunnel

Arquesdike

Nemiscau-2dam

Nemiscau-1dam

Eastmain 1reservoir

Rupe

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ilbay

Rupe

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Dikes and dams

VGP - 2008 was a busy year at Rupert workcamp. Almost 4,200,000 m3 of the 5,900,000 m3 of backfilling has been carried out. That represents 70% of all back� lling activities. About � fty dikes and three of the four Rupert jobsite dams were erected during the summer.

These numbers are even more impressive considering that all the work was carried out in seven months, from May to November. The reason is simple: till cannot be placed in winter since it cannot be properly compacted when frozen. Dike LR-57

Dike LR-56

Dike LR-42

Dike LR-40

Dike LR-39

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THE

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RESCanal C-5A

Canal C-5Canal C-6Canal C-7

Canal C-4

Canal C-3

Canal C-2

Canal C-1

Canal C-1A

Rupert dam

Lemaredam

Rupertworkcamp

Transfertunnel

Arquesdike

Nemiscau-2dam

Nemiscau-1dam

Eastmain 1reservoir

Rupe

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ilbay

Rupe

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yDikeLR-56

DikeLR-39LR-40LR-42

Dike LR-28

Digue LR-12A

Concrete work at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse

BB - Concrete work at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse is labour-intensive. In the fall, contractor Neilson-EBC hired more than 200 workers solely for that purpose.

In early November, Neilson-EBC began putting up a temporary shelter so that workers could continue the concrete work under its protection in January. It should take from six to seven weeks to erect the structure.

Around mid-November, 5,000 m3 of concrete had been poured, including the perimeter wall of the future powerhouse. Work should begin on the powerhouse’s service area in mid-December.

The excavation of the water intake has been completed since mid-October. About 250,000 m3 of rock were excavated.

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BB - In late October, Neilson-EBC began assembling a mobile platform lift on rails to be used in excavating the sloping sections of the penstocks. After the blasting, the rock will be pushed toward the pilot holes to drop down the penstocks; mucking will be carried out through the penstock access tunnel. The sloping sections of the three penstocks are about 62 metres long. A total of about 4000 m3 of rock remains to be excavated.

The mobile platform lift was designed by Neilson-EBC subcontractor, Métal Marquis of La Sarre, in conjunction with Neilson-EBC. “We wanted to develop an e� ective and rapid technique that would cost as little as possible. I think we succeeded,“ said Pierre Bédard, Engineer – Neilson-EBC.

Excavation of the penstocks

A question from Josiane Carrier, drafter at Rupert workcampWhat does the SEBJ logo mean?

LP - The logo of the Société d’énergie de la Baie James (SEBJ) was designed in 1971, when the Hydro-Québec subsidiary was created. It was revamped in 2002, when SEBJ was restructured. The blue is essentially the colour of water. The waves inside the square symbolize energy, electric current. The opaque, rounded section represents the “J” of James Bay.

Illustration of the lift platform that will be used at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse to excavate the sloping sections of the penstocks.


A year of excavation

NG - EBC-Neilson s.e.n.c. began excavating the overburden and rock at the future Sarcelle powerhouse site at the end of September. The appearance of the rocky hill is changing day by day. With successive rounds of blasting, the headrace and tailrace are developing at an impressive rate. The 160 employees are working hard and well. Jean-Pierre Audet, Superintendent, described them as “a nice big family”. He went on to say, “When we welcome new workers, I try to explain to the newcomers that the family feeling is crucial, that I need them, and that they all need each other. These family values are essential to the smooth operation of a jobsite. They can even save lives: everything is interrelated.”

Sarcelle powerhouse is located a few metres from the Sarcelle instream � ow release structure, built during the � rst phase of the James Bay projects, at the end of the 70s. The structure can release a substantial � ow—up to 1,980 m3/s. It controls the water � owing from Opinaca reservoir into Boyd and Sakami lakes, which will � nally reach Robert-Bourassa reservoir.

To allow excavation of the tailrace, the Sarcelle control structure will be completely closed in March and April 2009. This closure will lead to anomalous changes in the water levels of Boyd and Sakami lakes and Opinaca reservoir. In fact, the level of Opinaca reservoir will rise by up to 3 metres, leading to the appearance of a strip of water around the reservoir. This area should be avoided.

At Boyd and Sakami lakes, the opposite will happen; their levels will decrease by 3 metres and 1.5 metres, respectively. The drop in water level will result in a change in the height of the ice cover, leading to the appearance of cracks. The reduced � ow will also cause a thin layer of ice to form where the water is usually open. These areas will be particularly hazardous.

FeatureSarcelle jobsite

Bodies of water to avoid in March and April 2009

The many drill rigs will be kept very busy working on rock excavation at Sarcelle powerhouse.


Bulb-unit technology has been used in France for about ten years. Sarcelle powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 150 megawatts, or 50 megawatts per unit. Commissioning of the last generating unit is planned for 2012.

FeatureSarcelle jobsite

A look inside one of Sarcelle powerhouse’s bulb units

A powerhouse with a di� erence

NG - The excavation at Sarcelle powerhouse is quite di� erent from the work done at the other generating stations of the James Bay project, since no penstocks will be needed to channel water to the turbines. It will be a run-of-river powerhouse, which means that the generating units will be completely submerged in water and that their propellers will be activated solely by the current and not by the head (drop in level).

Bulb-type generating units

Sarcelle powerhouse is the only one of Hydro-Québec’s hydroelectric generating facilities that will be equipped with bulb-type generating units. This technology is being used to compensate for a physical issue—the low head, which is about 12 metres at Sarcelle compared to 67 metres at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse.

Because of their cylindrical shape, bulb-type units are often compared to submarines. With a diameter of more than 7 metres, Sarcelle powerhouse’s bulb units will be the largest in the world. Alstom Hydro Canada, located in Sorel-Tracy, has already begun manufacturing the three generating units.


NG - At Sarcelle workcamp, 70% of the dormitories have been completed; 570 beds are therefore ready to welcome workers from all over Québec. The two main contractors, Les Constructions Binet and Groupe ModSpace Secto, have mobilized more than 70 workers to get most of the work done before the holiday period.

Less than a month after the workcamp opening, the residents have access to cable, telephone and Internet services. The convenience store o� cially opened its doors on October 9th and the bar/

News from Sarcelle workcamp

VGP – The transfer tunnel is ready to receive the � ow from the Rupert River. That won’t happen before November 2009, with the partial diversion of the river. At that time, an average of 450 m3/s of water will pour through the tunnel. To make sure that everything is going well, a small robot submarine will be sent into the tunnel once

A submarine at the transfer tunnel!

snack bar should not be far behind. As for the sports centre, CCDC is working hard to assemble, build, install and paint the building so that it will be accessible as soon as possible.

In the industrial zone, buildings and metal warehouses are popping up like mushrooms. With four workers, it takes an average of three days to put up a metal structure. The landscape is constantly changing in a workcamp under construction!

every 10 years to inspect it. The submarine in question will either be the ROV3, a remotely operated vehicle that is currently in use at Hydro-Québec, or a rental. If the publicly owned company decides to use its own robot, it will have to � nd a way to considerably lengthen the cable that connects it to the outside, since, for the moment, the ROV3’s tether is 300 metres long, compared to the 2.9-kilometre length of the transfer tunnel.

To enable the engineers to situate the submarine inside the tunnel, � ve landmarks have been installed at intervals of 500 metres on the left-

hand-side wall, facing downstream. The landmarks consist of metal rods of di� erent shapes extending from the wall.

The ROV3 is a remotely operated vehicle that has been used by Hydro-Québec since the early 2000s. It is sent to various underwater hydroelectric structures to conduct routine inspections and also to analyze lake and river beds.

For further information, visit Hydro-Québec’s site:http://www.hydroquebec.com/technology/� ches/pdf/prod robot rov3.pdf

workcamp, 70% of the dormitories have been

welcome workers from

Les Constructions Binet and Groupe ModSpace


VGP – When the Rupert River is partially diverted, in November 2009, six weirs and two riprap spur dikes will be under construction in the reduced � ow section of the river. Once they have been completed, in 2010, the structures will preserve the river’s natural aspect.

Weirs and spur dikes are structures built perpendicular to the riverbed to keep the upstream water level similar to what it was before the diversion. Why? To preserve grass beds for bird feeding and reproduction and to limit impacts on � sh habitat, navigation, � shing, goose

JL - After a few months of work behind the scenes, the company activity “SEBJ Teamwork, Exponential Energy!” Is back in the spotlight with various tangible activities issuing from the provocative propositions.

As you may recall, the purpose of the “SEBJ Teamwork” initiative was to produce a positive and tangible effect, in the short-term, on relationships, communications and results for the entire Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project team. The initiative was also intended to improve e� ectiveness and for people to enjoy working together by creating teamwork-friendly conditions, counting on each member’s contribution and using their potential.

Following a forum held in Nemiscau on May 22 and 23, 2008, about 20 SEBJ employees from Montréal and the various workcamps were asked to be “champions”. They got together in early September

Weirs on the Rupert RiverGetting ready

hunting and the landscape.

Weir construction is planned at kilometre points (KP) 20.4, 33, 49, 85, 110.3, 170, 223 and 290 of the Rupert River.

There are many things to be done to get ready for the construction of these hydraulic structures. Before it can begin, a series of other work must be carried out, including road and workcamp construction.

For now, contractor Fernand Gilbert Ltée is working on construction of the roads

leading to KP 170 and 223. Meanwhile, certain Aboriginal companies are responsible for land clearing of other future access roads. Construction of Oujeck workcamp should also begin soon.

The “SEBJ Teamwork” initiative in the spotlightto establish priorities among the commitments issuing from the forum and to implement tangible activities resulting from the provocative propositions.

Feel free to give the champions a helping hand and to cooperate with them in implementing their activities. In fact, a new section focusing on “SEBJ Teamwork” (SEBJ en équipe) has been added to the Extranet site, at www.extranetsebj.ca, to let you know all about the initiative’s activities. You can get to know each of the champions and their provocative propositions and see photos of the various activities. Visit the section often—it will be updated regularly. You can reach it through the “Communication” section of the Extranet site.

The “jugglers” team of the Champions Coordination Committee: Yvan David, Linda Daigneault and André Gauthier.

Weir at KP 207 of the Eastmain River


Yolaine Brisson, construction equipment operatorLP – A woman came into my o� ce and asked to have some photocopies made. Glancing at the papers, I saw the first l ine, “For nine months or so, I worked at Toulnustouc on a 65-tonne vehicle.” Intrigued, I asked her some questions and, one thing leading to another, she outlined an exceptional career.

Yolaine Brisson, originally from Sacré-Cœur, has been operating heavy equipment

for nine years. She and her ex-husband started out with their own truck. She transported merchandise by day and did the small business’s accounting; he worked the night shift and saw to truck maintenance. “That way, she said, someone was always at home to look after the children”. After three years of working at that pace and earning a meagre salary, Yolaine decided to follow a friend’s advice and go to work on construction sites.

In 2003, at Toulnustouc, she operated construction equipment for the � rst time. After that adventure on the North Shore, Yolaine landed her � rst contracts

PRO

FILE

at the James Bay projects. She went to Eastmain for construction of the � sh pass and then moved on to Rupert jobsite, doing stripping at the transfer tunnel portals and road construction with contractor Bob Son. Yolaine just � nished a contract with Blais-Langlois.

Before leaving the o� ce, she said,“I’ll be back. I like working at the jobsites. It’s like being part of big family.” Women like Yolaine are increasingly present at the jobsites… to everyone’s delight!

LP – Personal contact in a project the size of this one is often very rewarding. We have the privilege of meeting people from all over, with their lot of experience and talent. Several of them reveal a bit of themselves by sharing their love of music.

Joey Hogan-Lacombe has been working on building maintenance at Rupert workcamp since April 2008. For the past 12 years, he has been playing various stringed instruments. He is an excellent electric or classical guitar, mandolin,

Talent at the James Bay projectsbanjo or violin player. In 2007, his band Jexiste came in third in the semi-� nals of the Bodog Battle of the Bands contest in Montréal with its alternative rock repertoire. Be on the lookout in November, because you may be seeing the musician in action at Rupert workcamp.

Alexandra LaPerrière is working on her � rst archaeology contract in the area. Passionate about history and music, she has been known to make the workcamp thrill to the sound of her

violin. An experienced musician, she studied for 16 years at various music academies and has just returned from a 10-day tour of the Czech Republic with the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de la Montérégie, the region’s youth symphony orchestra.

We are surrounded by gifted people and have the opportunity to rub elbows with them every day. By highlighting the talent of two of our co-workers, we hope to pay tribute to all the bright stars of the North.


MB - Every year, in Québec and particularly in the James Bay territory, we have to deal with harsh winter conditions. The winter season produces additional workplace hazards every day.

Certain factors multiply the e� ects of cold weather:

• Exposure time (the longer you are exposed to cold, the more the risk of frostbite and hypothermia increases)

• Humidity (perspiration on the body or water in the environment) reduces tolerance to cold

• Wind chill factor (wind can also reduce tolerance to cold)

The signs and symptoms of prolonged exposure to cold are the following:

• Shivering• Changes in skin colour• Loss of � ne motor skills • Numbness of lower extremities• Decreased alertness

Driving a vehicle in winter also requires more attentiveness. Before getting behind the wheel, it is important to clear car windows and rear-view mirrors. Slow down when you meet an oncoming vehicle. Accelerate and decelerate progressively to avoid any risk of skidding.

Winter-related job hazards

A � at tire or a simple mechanical breakdown can become problematic in winter. Having extra warm clothing for each passenger in the vehicle is essential.

In winter, the right attitude is to expect the unexpected. The risk of frostbite and hypothermia is present every day. It’s up to us to eliminate this risk through better prevention, so that we can get through winter safe and sound.

Have a safe winter!

IM – Did you know that the amount of drinking water consumed daily by each person at Rupert workcamp is in the order of 350 litres (about two 45-gallon drums)? That’s a little higher than average Canadian consumption (335 L/day).

Obviously, we have to treat the water before returning it to nature. The treatment system selected for Rupert workcamp has been used for about 50 years in northern environments. It consists of primary treatment in septic tanks and secondary treatment in peatlands. This type of treatment has the advantages of being inexpensive, simple in design and having a low impact on the environment.

Domestic wastewater is channelled to the industrial park, where it is kept in septic tanks. Liquids and grease are separated and nitrates and other chemicals begin to be removed by bacterial action inside the tanks. The water is then pumped to the peatlands north of the workcamp, where it is injected under the peat moss to avoid surface decomposition of the peat. Two types of treatment occur in the peatlands; the � rst happens when water � lters through the peat and the second is carried out by micro-organisms.

The e� ectiveness of the wastewater treatment is directly related to the � ow of water through the peatlands, which allows di� usion and dispersion of organic contaminants throughout the peat.

To make sure that the system operates property and e� ectively, the environment team samples the water four times a year at various locations, including the beginning and end of the treatment system.

RUPERT WORKCAMPWastewater treatment

sebj journal novembre eng 08

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