Mactaquac Generating Station – Kleinschmidt Group

Rehabilitating Mactaquac Generating Station for a Sustainable Future

Client

New Brunswick Power (NB Power)

Project Location

New Brunswick Power (NB Power)

Timeframe

2018-Present

Project Overview

The Mactaquac Generating Station, a significant run-of-the-river hydro facility on the St. John River with a 660 MW capacity, faced a critical challenge. The station’s concrete infrastructure was deteriorating due to an alkali-aggregate reaction, causing swelling and cracking that necessitated extensive annual maintenance. To extend the station’s operational lifespan to its planned 100 years, NB Power initiated the Life Achievement Project in 2017. This strategic project was grounded in three years of extensive research, including input from scientists, engineers, public stakeholders, and First Nations communities. A crucial component for the project’s success is ensuring effective fish passage.

Collaborative Excellence and Solutions

This strategic project is grounded in three years of extensive research. A crucial component for the project’s success is ensuring effective fish passage. Kleinschmidt has been entrusted by NB Power as the fish passage consultant. Our role involves high-level assessments of both upstream and downstream fish passage options to integrate into the station’s comprehensive rehabilitation plans.

Client Benefits: Expertise and Customization

Fish Passage Expertise: Kleinschmidt’s extensive experience in all stages of fish passage, from watershed-level planning and conceptual design through to construction and effectiveness testing, is being fully leveraged to meet NB Power’s specific needs.

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Support: Our multidisciplinary team, including biologists, engineers, and regulatory specialists, are providing NB Power with a comprehensive suite of services that ensure responsiveness and adherence to the project’s tight schedule.

Customized Design and Assessment: We are conducting thorough feasibility studies to identify the most viable fish passage solutions, complemented by conceptual designs tailored specifically to the facility’s unique requirements. Our team is supporting the client by providing the information and tools they need to engage with agencies and stakeholders, ensuring project objectives are aligned with community and ecological needs.

Expertise and Customization

The partnership between Kleinschmidt and New Brunswick Power is setting a new standard for integrating engineering solutions with environmental stewardship and community engagement. The Mactaquac Life Achievement Project stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering efficient and effective services that support both our client’s infrastructure goals and broader environmental objectives.

Responsive and Adaptable Planning:

By developing concept-level designs for new and modified fish passage facilities, we are providing solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also give the client the tools needed to ensure the project is culturally sensitive and community-approved.

Ongoing Support:

As the rehabilitation project progresses, Kleinschmidt continues to offer crucial engineering and biological analysis to optimize both upstream and downstream fish passage.

Services provided to achieve the above included – Fish Passage Feasibility Studies, Conceptual Design and Final Design, Agency and Stakeholder Consultations, and Biological Assessments.

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