Project background

The Cedar Drive Pump Station, built in the late 1970s, is flood protection infrastructure for the City of Port Coquitlam at the confluence of Cedar Creek and Hyde Creek. It was operating under capacity, deteriorating (driving up operational costs), and provided inadequate fish passage in an environmentally sensitive area. The project was a complete replacement of the aging pump station and associated floodbox.

The site is constrained - close to residential properties, the Traboulay PoCo Trail, and fish habitats for Coho and Chum Salmon. The new structure needed to hit required hydraulic capacity for current and future needs, meet post-disaster seismic requirements (1-in-2,475-year return period earthquake), and satisfy modern fish passage standards.

My role

I was responsible for structural design and developing a phased construction strategy for the new and upgraded hydraulic structures. I collaborated closely with geotechnical, mechanical, and environmental specialists.

Key structural design elements

  • New discharge and intake structures:

    • Designed a new reinforced concrete discharge structure for new pump discharge piping and fish-friendly flap gates.
    • Designed a new pump intake structure and led modifications to the existing intake - redesigning the back wall and top slab for new pumps and hydraulic features.
    • Incorporated isolation capabilities (stop log guides and dividing walls) for safe maintenance while maintaining operational redundancy.

  • Seismic improvements:

    • Developed the seismic design for reinforcing the existing floodbox to meet post-disaster performance criteria.
    • Designed new concrete wing walls at the intake.
    • Worked with the geotechnical team to integrate soil conditions, including potential liquefaction susceptibility, into the foundation design per the Ministry of Forests’ Seismic Design Guidelines for Dikes.

  • Superstructure:

    • Designed support grating over the intake and a support structure for a new electrical kiosk.
    • Designed the reinforced concrete slab foundation for the emergency backup generator.
    • Coordinated a combined intake structure with new stop logs and a single trash screen.

Phased construction strategy

To maintain flood protection during construction, I developed a multi-phase sequence:

  • Phase 1 - North side: Isolated the north floodbox while maintaining flow through the south channel. Demolished the existing discharge structure and built the new pump intake and northern half of the new discharge structure. Commissioned the new pump station in its initial configuration.

  • Phase 2 - South side and final integration: Isolated the south floodbox and old pump intake. Completed the second half of the discharge structure and upgraded the existing pump intake and south floodbox. Final integration and commissioning of the fully operational system.

  • Phase 3 - Final site works: Installation of above-ground equipment including access grating and electrical kiosk.

Deliverables

I am working on delivering detailed design drawings and technical specifications for all structural components. The final design will provide enhanced hydraulic capacity, safe fish passage, and post-seismic functionality.