Surveying for Mining & Development

Topography for Dam Breach Analysis

Simulation-ready data for flow modeling
Many inundation areas cover hundreds of square kilometers and extend tens or hundreds of kilometers downstream of a tailings dam. For engineers, obtaining high quality inundation area topography can delay a tailings dam breach analysis (DBA).

PhotoSat’s Topography for Dam Breach Analysis (DBA) gives engineering consultants the hydro-corrected survey data required for conducting a dam breach analysis, without the need for site access.
Key applications:
  • Dam breach simulations
  • Risk assessments
  • Emergency response planning
  • Disaster response planning
Elevation grid formats:
File Format(s): ASCII, CSV, DWG, DXF, ECW, ERS, LAS, TIF, and XML.

Thinned Grid formats are available to reduce file size for projects over low-grade slopes.
Technical Specifications:
Type
Bare ground surface (DEM/DTM)
Vertical Accuracy (with control)
~10 – 15 cm RMSE More Info
Satellite Specifications for Elevation Surveys
Some specifications for survey deliverables depend on the satellite used to acquire the imagery.
Satellite Expected Vertical Accuracy Orthophoto Ground Resolution (Pixel Size) Orthophoto Colour Elevation Grid Spacing (Ground Sample Distance)
WV1 10 – 15 cm RMSE (with ground control) 50 cm Greyscale, with colourization options available 1 m or 50 cm
WV2 10 – 15 cm RMSE (with ground control) 50 cm Colour 1 m or 50 cm
WV3 10 – 15 cm RMSE (with ground control) 50 cm or 30 cm Colour 1 m, 50 cm, 30 cm, or 15 cm (resampled)
Pleiades 1A 20 – 30 cm RMSE (with ground control) 50 cm Colour 50 cm
Pleiades 1B 20 – 30 cm RMSE (with ground control) 50 cm Colour 50 cm
Keyhole -- 0.61 m to 1.2 m Greyscale 0.61 m to 1.2 m
Relative Accuracy
~20 cm over 5 km
Vegetation Removal
Yes
Available from Archive Imagery
Yes
Satellites Source(s)
WV1, WV2, WV3
Area of Interest
Custom
Coordinate System
Any, including custom mine grids

Deliverables

The Topography for Dam Breach Analysis (DBA) package includes these standard deliverables.
Standard Deliverables Optional Deliverables

Comparison Study

How does topographic accuracy and resolution impact a dam breach simulation?

Our technical team is ready to work with you