Elaine Robichaud

My main task is to estimate the maximum amount of land could be flooded behind a dam. There is a lot of information needed to do this. I look at the highest floods that nature might produce in the watershed of river. I also calculate the likely frequency of flooding in the area. I do this by analyzing past floods. If there have been lots of floods in the area, we can predict there will be many in the future. If there have been few, it is likely there will be few in the future.

Using this information, I develop management plans for the safe operation of our dams. To make sure our dams are safe, we develop an extreme flood management plan for the whole river watershed. This plan looks at what the worst-case situation could be and what we would need to do to deal with that situation.

I also look at the potential environmental impacts of a dam. To do this I work with biologists. Working as an engineer, I need to have a good knowledge of math and physics. Working as a hydrologic engineer, I also need to understand meteorology and computer science. I also need to understand the possible effects of climate change in the area. I use my science and engineering knowledge to address these concerns. I use Artificial Intelligence and satellite data to develop solutions to problems (or possible problems). Water is a beautiful resource but it takes many different skills to manage it properly! It also takes teamwork. No one person will know everything to solve these complex problems. Working in Quebec, most of my work is done in French. I do use English to talk with specialist from all over the world.