Case Studies

Monitoring Reservoirs in Wiltshire

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The Background

Date: October

Client: Swindon Council

Storm’s client JBA Consulting required a survey of three reservoirs embankments in Swindon, Wilshire for their client Swindon Council. The specification was a full topographic survey of the embankment dams, walls, bridges, spillways, overflow channels and general surrounding area extending 5m from the downstream toe of the dam including tree positions and girth. The survey is also to extend a minimum of 5m into the reservoir for the collection of bathymetric data. The client was specifically interested in the spillway areas, intake & outfall pipes.

The key survey outputs will be:

Short survey report with photographs and survey control information.
Plan drawing of the dam and surrounding area.
3D DWG file of surveyed points.
A csv file, containing all surveyed points, with columns for easting, northing, elevation and description.

Process

The Challenge

The survey team prepped for the site work by completing site specific RAMS, forecasting the conditions & the logistics for best efficiencies. All Storm’s surveying staff are fully trained with DEFRA Module 2 Water Awareness certification, alongside RYA First Aid training & full water-based PPE.

The survey team was accompanied by work experience graduate, Will Willing, from Bournemouth University on the Coate Water site. Will was provided with appropriate PPE & briefings for observing & participating in the survey. Each site presented different challenges. Dense vegetation, highways, members of public, invasive species, deep channels. Dynamic risk assessments are undertaken throughout survey work to ensure our ‘Safety First – Data Later’ approach. Company electric vehicles (EV) were utilised to conduct the site work at all three locations.

Process

The Results

The survey team completed all required site work within the timeframe supplied. All topographic data was collected using a Trimble S5 Total Station & linked back to the primary control installed on site. The topographic survey was processed & undertook internal QA before delivery. The client was kept informed of progress via weekly survey reports from the lead surveyor.

“All Storm’s surveying staff are fully trained with DEFRA Module 2 Water Awareness certification, alongside RYA First Aid training & full water-based PPE.”