Providing long term slope stabilization for sandy soils

Overview

TransCanada has the largest pipeline infrastructure in Canada. In 2008, TransCanada, now known as TC Energy, successfully ran a large diameter gas pipeline below the St. Maurice River in Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec. After construction, the steep 1:1 slopes that were cleared for access began to experience erosion and stability issues. Sandy soils caused slides and deposited sediments along the river’s bank.

Challenge

Due to the terrain’s extreme slopes and the remote area, access to the site was prohibitive of most slope stabilization solutions. PROPEX Armormax^® was selected because it is light weight, easily transported to remote areas, and is low impact development (LID). It also provides provides immediate and long-term stabilization. Pipelines workers tethered to the top of the slope and installed the PROPEX Pyramat^® 75 High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) and B2 Engineered Earth Anchors™ with ease.

Solution

After installation, PROPEX Armormax was live staked with trees and seeded. Twelve years later, the trees and vegetation have matured and continue to prevent erosion of sediments into the river with a natural, vegetated solution.

Lightweight PROPEX® Armormax® was installed by tethered workers on steep slopes, securing the terrain with PROPEX Pyramat® 75 HPTRM and B2 Engineered Earth Anchors™

The PROPEX Armormax® system was live staked with trees and seeded, ensuring long-term erosion control while integrating vegetation into the stabilization solution

Explore more case studies

View all

14 September 2026

Lake bank stabilization at Vivid Shores

At Vivid Shores in Bonita Springs, Florida, PROPEX® Armormax®, MIRAFI® FW403 and MIRAFI 140N stabilize lake banks exposed to wind-driven wave erosion. Completed sections are performing as designed.

14 September 2026

Crowne point country club case study

Crowne Point Country Club rehabilitated a deteriorated Vermont access road with MIRAFI H2Ri, using active moisture management to address saturated soils, frost-related distress and subgrade instability.

23 August 2026

GSE HD geomembrane lined salt ponds ensure long-term brine containment

GSE® HD geomembrane lined over 3.4 million m² of evaporation ponds to prevent brine seepage under extreme heat and UV exposure. This continuous barrier eliminated salt discharge and protected the surrounding environment.