CLIENT: BC Ministry of Forests
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: PRI developed a Drought and Frost Risk Assessment Tool for the BC Ministry of Forests, applying advanced remote sensing techniques to detect and classify drought-stressed areas across various locations in British Columbia. The work was completed in collaboration with Craig DeLong.
CHALLENGE: Accurately identifying drought-stressed and frost-affected trees across large and varied forest landscapes required a scalable and reliable methodology capable of distinguishing individual tree health conditions from aerial imagery — and translating those findings into a broadly applicable classification tool validated against real-world field conditions.
APPROACH: PRI applied object-based image analysis techniques to segment and classify individual trees captured in UAV imagery, characterizing each tree as live or dead based on spectral and structural attributes. This classified dataset was then used to train a machine learning model for detecting drought-stressed areas in Sentinel satellite imagery, extending the tool’s applicability across broader landscapes. Field validation was subsequently carried out to confirm the accuracy of the modeled results and ensure the tool’s reliability for operational use.
OUTCOME: The project delivered a validated, scalable Drought and Frost Risk Assessment Tool for the BC Ministry of Forests, combining high-resolution UAV analysis with satellite-based classification to provide an efficient and accurate means of monitoring forest health and identifying at-risk areas across British Columbia.
CLIENT: City of Kelowna
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
As part of the City of Kelowna’s Annual Capital Works Utility Replacement Program, PRI was selected to provide engineering design and construction services for the Abbott Sanitary Sewer Project. The project involves the removal and replacement of 530 metres of 200mm and 150mm Asbestos Cement (AC) sanitary sewer pipe originally installed in 1949, as part of the City’s ongoing commitment to rehabilitating aging underground infrastructure.
CHALLENGE:
The existing sanitary sewer infrastructure had reached the end of its serviceable life after more than seven decades in the ground. Asbestos Cement pipe of this age presents both structural and environmental risks, requiring careful handling and replacement planning. The project demanded a thorough understanding of existing subsurface conditions and legacy infrastructure, as well as the development of viable alignment and connection options that could be clearly evaluated and approved by the City before detailed design commenced.
APPROACH:
PRI initiated the project with a kickoff meeting with the City to confirm project requirements, deliverables, and schedule. All relevant historical data was gathered, including record drawings of existing services and topographic survey data of the sanitary system. Following a thorough analysis of this information, PRI commenced preliminary design, developing drawings of the sewer collection system that presented options for service connections and main alignments. A preliminary design submission meeting was held with the City to walk through the initial design options and explain the underlying design philosophy, ensuring all parties had a clear understanding of the alternatives before proceeding to detailed design.
OUTCOME:
The structured preliminary design process enabled the City of Kelowna to make well-informed decisions on alignment and servicing options prior to committing to a final design. PRI’s methodical approach — from data collection and analysis through to collaborative design review — established a strong foundation for detailed design and construction, supporting the City’s objective of replacing deteriorating AC pipe infrastructure with a reliable, modern sewer system.
CLIENT: Timberland Investment Resources
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI developed a carbon and greenhouse gas reporting system for Timberland Investment Resources (TIR), integrating ground plot data and land status information to produce accurate carbon and emissions estimates across their landbase portfolio.
CHALLENGE:
TIR required a dynamic and responsive reporting solution capable of reflecting real-time changes to their land base, including land acquisitions, dispositions, and associated treatment activities, while maintaining accuracy in carbon and greenhouse gas estimates based on actual ground-truthed plot data. Translating complex back-end data into a clear and accessible visualization tool for client use presented an additional design challenge.
APPROACH:
PRI developed a robust estimation process in R to calculate carbon and greenhouse gas values based on actual ground plot data and the current status of lands within the client’s database. Emissions assumptions for equipment used across land treatments were incorporated into the modeling framework. The resulting back-end database was then linked to a PRI-developed Power BI application, enabling dynamic visualization of carbon and greenhouse gas estimates as land was purchased or sold and as treatments were applied.
OUTCOME:
TIR gained a fully integrated and interactive carbon and greenhouse gas reporting platform that provides real-time visibility into their portfolio’s emissions profile. The solution supports informed decision-making around land acquisition, disposition, and management activities, positioning TIR with a transparent and defensible framework for carbon and greenhouse gas reporting.
CLIENT: BC Hydro / Szumin’ts First Nation
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Under a partnership with local indigenous communities, PRI performed Environmental Overview Assessments, mitigation planning, a data analysis, GIS support, environmental monitoring for upgrades to a 50 km section of the Bridge River Transmission Project near Lillooet and Goldbridge, BC.
CHALLENGE:
The main challenge is that project layout and designs change frequently, which means that the environmental scope of work must adapt continually so that adequate assessment of areas added to the project takes place within approriate assessment windows for species of concern. The project has many contributers and a high level of communication, consultation and information change management is required.
APPROACH:
PRI delivered responsive, timely and skillful communication with project partners and contributors.
OUTCOME:
Sucessful delivery of field inventory, data management and commnuications deliverables for three years and ongoing.
CLIENT: Conuma Resources
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI was retained by Conuma Resources Ltd. as the new hydrotechnical and geotechnical Engineers of Record (EORs) for two tailings storage facilities (TSFs) at the Quintette Mine in British Columbia: the Shikano North TSF and the Plantsite TSF. The Shikano North TSF is a 45-metre high, 210-metre long flow-through rockfill dam currently accepting tailings, while the Plantsite TSF is a 52-metre high, 2.6-kilometre long earthfill dam in active care. PRI’s ongoing mandate spans dam safety analysis, regulatory compliance, annual performance reviews, and long-term closure planning.
CHALLENGE:
Assuming the role of Engineer of Record for two large, active tailings storage facilities mid-operation required PRI to rapidly develop a comprehensive understanding of each structure’s design history, current condition, and operational context. The complexity of the assignment demanded integrated analysis across hydrotechnical, geotechnical, environmental, and mining operations disciplines, all benchmarked against the rigorous requirements of the 2024 Health, Safety, and Reclamation Code (HSRC) for Mines in British Columbia. Ongoing engagement with the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB) further required that analyses and reporting meet the highest standards of technical defensibility.
APPROACH:
PRI completed detailed dam safety analyses across both facilities to formally establish EOR status, with analyses commensurate with those required for a full Dam Safety Review under the 2024 HSRC. The work incorporated hydrotechnical, geotechnical, environmental, and mining operations considerations specific to each structure. On an ongoing basis, PRI completes Annual Facility Performance Reviews (AFPRs) for both TSFs and maintains regular engagement with the ITRB. PRI also provides a broad range of supplementary analyses, designs, technical memoranda, and reports to support the continued safe operation and eventual final closure planning of both facilities.
OUTCOME:
PRI successfully established itself as EOR for both the Shikano North and Plantsite TSFs, providing Conuma Resources Ltd. with continuity of expert oversight across two critical mine infrastructure assets. The rigorous dam safety analyses completed by PRI satisfied the requirements of the 2024 HSRC and established a strong technical foundation for ongoing regulatory compliance. PRI’s continued involvement through AFPRs, ITRB coordination, and ad hoc technical support ensures that both facilities are managed with the diligence required for safe operation and responsible long-term closure.
CLIENT: Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) retained PRI to deliver the Naramata Water System Rehabilitation and Extension Project. Awarded in December 2016 and completed by the end of November 2017, the project involved watermain replacement across eight roads in Naramata. PRI’s scope encompassed detailed topographic survey, engineered design drawings, MMCD tender document preparation, materials testing, QC/QA, and full construction services.
CHALLENGE:
The aging water system required comprehensive rehabilitation across multiple roads simultaneously, presenting coordination challenges across a broad project area. The design needed to account for updated fire protection requirements and appropriately sized watermains determined through hydraulic modelling and calibration. Working within road allowances also required engagement with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) as the approving authority for all proposed road and stormwater improvements. Additionally, site conditions on certain roads demanded innovative installation methods to minimize disruption to existing infrastructure and road surfaces.
APPROACH:
PRI managed all phases of the project from survey through construction. Design work included site surveys, base map preparation, and hydraulic modelling and calibration to determine watermain sizing and fire protection requirements. Coordination with MOTI was maintained throughout the design development process. PRI prepared platinum MMCD tender documents, including a detailed Schedule of Quantities and Unit Prices, and conducted materials quality control and quality assurance testing on all structural fill and pavement structure. Where site conditions warranted, innovative construction techniques were employed, including slip lining and pipe bursting to install new watermain inside existing pipes, and auguring of water services beneath Naramata Road to preserve the existing asphalt on the west side of the road.
OUTCOME:
The Naramata Water System Rehabilitation and Extension Project was completed on schedule by November 2017, delivering a modernized water distribution system across eight roads. The use of trenchless technologies such as slip lining, pipe bursting, and auguring minimized surface disruption and preserved road integrity where conventional open-cut methods would have been impractical. PRI’s full-service delivery, from survey and design through tendering, construction oversight, and materials testing, provided the RDOS with a seamless, single-point-of-accountability engagement throughout the project. Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
CLIENT: Teck Resources Ltd. c/o Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI was retained by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.(Ausenco) to provide geotechnical engineering services for the seismic assessment of three existing maring pipelines serving the Quebrada Blanca copper mine in North Patache Bay, Chile.
CHALLENGE:
Identifying the geotechnical risks posed to the pipelines from seismic-liquefaction-induced forces and displacements, as well as evaluating the proposed anchor-pile restraint system for the pipelines.
APPROACH:
Using provided geotechnical data, PRI developed a revised stratigraphic model with several key differences from the original model by others. Updated seismic hazard and liquefaction assessments were completed to determine updated post-liquefaction buoyancy, heavy fluid properties, and flow paths, for estimates of drag forces on pipelines exerted by the liquefied “heavy fluid” on the pipeline-collar system.
OUTCOME:
PRI determined that the need and configuration of the anchor-pile restraint system depends on Ausenco’s updated structural assessment of pipeline performance under the updated drag forces.
CLIENT: BC Ministry of Transportation & Transit
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI was retained by BC MoTT to provide geotechnical engineering services for short-term remedial measures of a slope failure along a section of the westbound lane of the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) near Princeton, BC. The affected section is located within the BC MoTT right-of-way and is situated along a ridge between the Tulameen River valley and Similkameen River valley.
CHALLENGE:
Design and construction monitoring of short-term remedial measures of the slope failure
APPROACH:
PRI’s design team undertook short term stability works consisting of the construction of a Hybrid Pinned Slope Mesh and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) remediation solution and drainage improvements.
OUTCOME:
The construction methodology consisted of drilling and installation of soil nails and end anchors, installation of TECCO slope mesh system, and construction of the MSE slope to form the westbound lane of the highway embankment. Upon completion of the MSE slope construction, the westbound lane road structure and asphalt was reconstructed as per a pavement structural for Highway 3 traffic. The drainage improvements comprised the installation of three catch basins to collect runoff from the asphalt curb and convey it east via a PVC drainage pipe installed beneath the westbound highway shoulder which daylights into a riprap splashpad constructed in the westbound highway ditch.
CLIENT: Conuma Resources
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI was retained by Conuma Mining Services Ltd. to conduct geotechnical investigations on Shikane North Tailings Storage Facility (SNTSF) to support the design of a new Tailings Dam at the Quintette Mine site, based on the previously issued conceptual design. SNTSF is a rockfill “flow-through” dam constructed to impound tailings from the nearby Coal mine, approximately 16 km south of Tumbler Ridge, BC.
CHALLENGE:
Attaining site-specific geotechnical data, which was previously identified as a data gap, to inform the design of the new Tailing Dam.
APPROACH:
Completion of a phase 1 geotechnical investigation comprising geophysical testing (multichannel analysis of surface waves and seismic refraction tomography), preliminary terrain and hazard assessment, and exploratory sampling and laboratory testing of candidate dam materials. Static and seismic slope stability analysis, seepage analysis, and tailings deposition modelling was conducted based on the geotechnical investigation and testing results.
OUTCOME:
A preliminary geotechnical assessment was completed along with recommendations for future work to support detailed design of the proposed 15 m high dam and associated provisions to ready the pit for receipt of new tailings, refinement of terrain mapping, and refinement of engineering properties.
CLIENT: K’ul Development Group
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Project Description Skaha Hills Phase 3 is a 32-lot subdivision situated at the top of Skaha Hills Drive on the Penticton Indian Reserve in Penticton, BC. The project represents the third of seven planned phases at ultimate build-out, with construction completed at the end of 2020. PRI provided full-service delivery on this project, encompassing geotechnical assessment, environmental impact assessment, subdivision drawings, stormwater management planning, field review, survey layout, and materials and density testing.
CHALLENGE:
The site presented significant topographic and servicing complexity. Developing a tiered lot subdivision on steep terrain required careful earthworks planning to maximize lot yield while preserving view corridors of Skaha Lake and the City of Penticton. The remote hilltop location also demanded a fully integrated approach to sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and water distribution, all designed to tie into existing Phase 2 infrastructure, while managing excavation material efficiently and minimizing off-site hauling.
APPROACH:
PRI designed and managed all civil and geotechnical components of the project. The sanitary sewer system comprised approximately 1,460 metres of gravity main connected to the Phase 2 sanitary infrastructure, while the storm sewer system included approximately 750 metres of gravity pipe and 70 metres of open ditch. The water distribution system consisted of approximately 1,370 metres of PVC watermain in various diameters. For earthworks, blasting was employed to reshape the terrain into tiered lots optimized for views and buildability. Rather than removing blasted material from site, it was directed to an on-site gravel pit where a crusher processed it into all required road construction materials, including crushed granular base, granular subbase, and decorative landscape rock.
OUTCOME:
Phase 3 was successfully completed at the end of 2020, delivering 32 fully serviced lots with desirable view corridors across Skaha Lake and Penticton. The on-site material processing strategy significantly reduced costs and site traffic by eliminating the need to import road construction aggregates. The project advanced the broader Skaha Hills development toward its seven-phase build-out vision, with PRI’s multi-discipline involvement ensuring seamless coordination across all engineering and environmental workstreams.
