Abstracts

Water Level Monitoring and Forecasting

Accurate water level monitoring and forecasting is essential for the citizens of New Brunswick's safety, environmental safety, and sustainability. EMO along with partners are working to make important decisions using Geomatics. A decision support system was created which aggregates data from the hydrology network and flood forecasts to display the current, 24hr, and 48hr predicted values in an easy to understand graph for communities in the Lower St John Basin. The Princess Margaret, Burton and Lakeville Corner bridges have markers attached to piers. These markers are observed by cameras that automatically transmit pictures of the water every two hours to a central location. The general public can view these images to see how water is rising in their area. EMO, along with Securities Emergency Directorate activated the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" to acquire RADARSAT-2 satellite surveillance of the flooding. Various analyses can be performed on this imagery which will be useful for future forecasting. An aerial survey was requested to assist in flood efforts. This mission was launched within 24 hours, capturing the high water level. This provided data needed for decision making. Following the survey, the aerial photographs were made into a seamless mosaic to be used for post-flood assessments of damages to infrastructure and property. They will also be used to create a flood polygon for 2008, which is useful for future forecasting. Future plans to help ensure we have accurate forecasting of flooding, is to fly LIDAR and obtain a set of low water orthophotos of the effected areas. This will capture a more accurate DEM and allow our partners to accurately model the flood and ensure better predictions of where the flood waters will be. This in turn allows the citizens to make plans to protect their person, property and the environment against damages.