The goal of a USask research project is to improve the ability to predict regions of slope instability on riverbanks.  Master’s student, Mark Lepitzki explains that right now you have to drill or dig to get the information you need, but it only gives you information on what the riverbank is made of in that specific site, with various layers of rock, silt, sand, clay and soil.

This research used two methods that are used for much larger projects like mineral exploration – measuring seismic waves and electrical conductivity. In simple terms, you hit the ground and measure the underground waves to see how quickly they go through and where they stop. The same goes for the electrical conductivity method.

The research is being conducted on the east riverbank below Saskatchewan Crescent East between 15th and 16th Street, where the City did some remediation work back in 2016 because of slumping.  This project is funded by Research Junction, which is a collaboration between the City of Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan, to address urban issues.