S Poplar River 

3T3.91 Bilateral 
^t2f>p^a^ Monitoring 
, . Annual report of 

fnv^f the governaenta of 

Canactat United 
States* 



1984 ANNUAL REPORT 



to the 



STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION 

FEB ? 1990 

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 

1515 E. 6th AVE. 
HELENA, MONTANA 59620 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1984 



PLEASE RETURN 



March, 1985 



Montana state Ubfaiv 

3 0864 1004 5791 3 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



REPORT TO GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 



SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



FOR 



CALENDAR YEAR 1984 



MARCH, 1985 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



Department of State 
Washington, D.C., United States 

Governor's Office, State of Montana 
Helena, Montana, United States 



Department of External Affairs 
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 

Saskatchewan Environment 
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 



Gentlemen: 

During 1984, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to 
fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar 
River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. Water 
quantity, water quality, and air quality relevant to the International Boundary 
were monitored in accordance to the 1984 Technical Monitoring Schedule. 
The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. Herein is the 
report of activities of 1984 and the proposed monitoring schedule for 1985. 

The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project conditions 
and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific parameter values 
that were developed under International Joint Committee references. References 
are made to State, Provincial, or Federal standards or objectives where these 
are relevant. After examination and evaluation of the monitoring information 
for 1984, the Committee finds that the measured conditions are within the norms 
of the accepted objectives. 

During 1984, ground-water monitoring in Montana south of the coal mine was 
intensified to better assess potential transboundary impacts of the cone 
of depression associated with coal-seam dewatering. The Committee was informed 
that operation of the present mine will be phased out during the next 5 years 
and that new mines will be developed 10 to 15 kilometers to the east and north- 
east of the present mine. A goal of the Committee during 1985 will be to rec- 
ommend additions and modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedule to 
ensure that all potential impacts to transboundary waters from the new mine 
can be detected and monitored. 

This letter serves as as reminder that the initial 5 year term of the Cooperative 
Monitoring Arrangement expires in September 1985. Article 5, Terms of Arrange- 
ment, addresses the provisions of renewal. 

Yours sincerely. 




/V? cif M^/rw 



J. R^ Knapton 

Chairman, United States Section 



7^ 



CT 



} 



M-XSL^ 




At-*'^ — - 



B. Hayden 

Member, United States Section 



G. w. n6vai 

Chairmat^^ C^adian Section 




^- . . , ■ ■ U^t 
W. Glimmer 
Member, Canadian Section 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL . i 

1984 HIGHLIGHTS iv 

INTRODUCTION 1 

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 4 

Operation 4 

Construction 5 

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 7 

Streamflow 7 

Minimum Flows 7 

Reservoir Storage 9 

On-Demand Release 9 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 10 

Data Compatibility 10 

Flow-Weighted Concentrations for Comparison 

to the IJC Objectives 11 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 12 

Total Dissolved Solids 12 

Boron 14 

Other Water Quality Characteristics 16 

Cookson Reservoir 18 

GROUND WATER QUANTITY 19 

Saskatchewan 19 

Pumpage from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells 19 

Discharges 19 

Water Levels 20 

Montana 20 

GROUND WATER QUALITY 23 

Saskatchewan 23 

Water Quality in the Tills 23 

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 25 

Montana 26 

ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 28 

AIR QUALITY. 31 

Saskatchewan 31 

Montana 33 

Table 1 - 1984 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 

and No. 2 4 

Table 2 - Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1984 9 



TABLE OF CONTENTS (ConLi.nued) 

Page 

Table 3 - Incompatibility of Analytical Results of Four 
Parameters from the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary, September 12, 1984 10 

Table 4 - Recommended Water-quality Objectives and Exceedances 
and the 1984 Sampling Program, East Poplar River 
at the International Boundary 17 

Table 5 - 1984 Dewatering Rates from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells .19 

Table 6 - Calculated Seepage Rates from Ash Lagoons No. 1 

and No. 2 28 

Table 7 - Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results during 1984 

in Montana 35 

Figure 1 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar 

River at the International Boundary and Recommended 
Minimum Flow 8 

Figure 2 - (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration 
for TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boun- 
dary; (b) Five-year Long-Term Flow-weighted Concen- 
tration for TDS, East Poplar River at the Inter- 
national Boundary 13 

Figure 3 - (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration 
for Boron, East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary; (b) Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Con- 
centration for Boron, East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary 15 

Figure 4 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from 

Dewatering Activities as of December 1984 21 

Figure 5 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations, East Poplar 

River Monitoring Piezometers 24 

Figure 6 - Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water 

Treatment Plant 32 

Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 
Canada-United States. 

Annex 2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 
Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1985, Canada- 
United States 

Annex 3 - Metric Conversions 

- iii - 



1984 HIGHLIGHTS 



1984 was the first full year of operation for two 300 megawatt coal- 
fired units. Over 4,180,000 gross megawatt hours of electricity were 
generated. The number of start-ups was down to 29 compared to 58 in 
1983. As a result the consumption of oil changed from 13,756 to 
3,788 tonnes, a 72 percent decrease. 



Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States 
was exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling loca- 
tions, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements 
identified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Air quality moni- 
toring in Montana did not start until July in order that the 1 year 
of continued funding provided by the Montana Legislature could be 
used to monitor the project at near-capacity operation. 



The United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar River 
throughout the year which exceeded the minimum flow requirements 
recommended by the International Joint Commission to Governments. 
On April 10, 1984, Montana requested delivery of the 370 cubic deca- 
metres of on-demand release it is entitled to. The requested amount 
was not delivered in the 30-day period requested but was delivered 
within 39 days. The runoff in the basin was again well below normal 
during 1984. 



The boron and total dissolved solids concentrations in the East Pop- 
lar River were below the long-term and short-term objectives recom- 
mended by the International Joint Commission to Governments. There 
was one minor exceedance of other water quality objectives recom- 
mended to Governments by the International Joint Commission. The 



dissolved aluminum concentration in a June 17 sample was 0.11 milli- 
gram per litre, which was 0.01 milligram per litre above the recom- 
mended value. Investigations of U.S. Geological Survey and Environ- 
ment Canada quality assurance data have identified potential i icom- 
patibility with parameters (boron, lead, zinc, and iron). 



The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewataring 
moved closer to the International Boundary. Several new observation 
wells were established by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 
south of the border with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Power 
Corporation. 



The total estimated seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing ponds 
was 0.556 litre per second, well below the seepage limits proposed by 
the International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate 
front has been calculated to have advanced 2.5 metres towards Cookson 
Reservoir since the ponds were first filled. 



Plant stack emissions did not cause or contribute to violation of 
Montana, United States, or Saskatchewan ambient air quality stan- 
dards. 



During the year the Saskatchewan Power Corporation sold the coal 
mine to private interests. The private interests hold coal proper- 
ties elsewhere in the area and propose to close the existing mine in 
about 5 years. 



INTRODUCTION 



The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized by the 
Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River 
Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy 
of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. 



The Committee is composed of representatives of the Government of the 
United States of America, State of Montana, Government of Canada and 
Province of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of 
Governments, two ex-officio members who are local representatives 
of the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan participate in 
the activities of the Committee. During 1984, the members and ex- 
officio members of the Committee were: 



Mr. J. R. Knapton 
U.S. Geological Survey 
Cochairman, U.S. Section 

Mr. T. E. Gallagher! 
Governor's Office 
Member, U.S. Section 

Mr. C. W. Tande 

Daniels County Commissioner 

Ex-officio Member, Montana 



Mr. Brace Hayden replaced 
Mr. T. E. Gallagher in 
February 1985. 



Mr. D. A. Davis 
Environment Canada 
Cochairman, Canadian Section 
(January - September 1984) 

Mr. G. W. Howard 
Saskatchewan Environment 
Member, Canadian Section 
(January - September 1984) 
Acting Cochairman 
(October - December 1984) 

Mr. W. D. Gummer 

Environment Canada 

Acting Member, Canadian Section 

(October - December 1984) 

Mr. J. R. Totton 

Reeve, R. M. of Hart Butte 

Ex-officio Member, Saskatchewan 



- 1 



The monitoring programs are in response to potential impacts of a 
transboundary nature resulting from Saskatchewan Power Corporation's 
coal-fired thermal generating station and ancillary operations near 
Coronach, Saskatchewan, Monitoring is conducted in Canada and the 
United States at or near the International Boundary for quantity and 
quality of both surface water and ground water and for air quality. 
Participants from both countries, including Federal, Provincial, and 
State agencies, are involved in monitoring. 



A responsibility of the Committee includes an ongoing quarterly ex- 
change of data acquired through the monitoring programs. The ex- 
change of monitoring information was initiated with the first quarter 
of 1981, and is an expansion of the informal quarterly inform ition 
exchange program initiated between Canada and the United States in 
1976. Special reports dealing with aspects of monitoring and Moni- 
toring results are sometimes published. Any such reports are reviewed 
annually by the Committee. No such reports were received b> the 
Committee in 1984. Exchanged data and reports are available for 
public viewing at the agencies of the participating governments or 
from Committee members. 



The Committee also is responsible for an annual report to Governments 
which summarizes the monitoring results, evaluates apparent trends, 
and compares the data to objectives or standards recommended by the 
International Joint Commission (IJC) to Governments, or relevant 
State, Provincial, or Federal standards. The Committee reports to 
Governments on a calendar year basis, with the report for 1984 
being the fourth report in the series. The Committee is also respon- 
sible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes 
in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention. 



- 2 - 



Another responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of 
the monitoring programs in both countries and make recommendations to 
Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The Schedules are 
updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifica- 
tions in sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical tech- 
niques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules list- 
ed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the forthcoming year. 
The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the 
Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change. 



- 3 



POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 



Operation 



The two units operated for the full reporting period. The 1984 oper- 
ating statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1: 



Table 1. 1984 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and 
No. 2 



Unit 1 Unit 2 



Hours of Operation 
Gross MWhr Generated 
Availability (hours) (percent) 
Capacity Factor(percent) 
Number of Start Ups 
Coal Consumed (tonnes) 
Oil Consumed (tonnes) 
Hours in Period 



7 


834 


063 


200 


I 


39.2 




78.8 




18 


727 


393 


2 


341 


8 


784 



8 


144 


117 


700 


( 


92.7 


] 


32.0 




11 


766 


393 


1 


447 


8 


784 



The average sulphur content as analyzed by the Power Station's Labo- 
ratory in 1984 was 0.8 percent. Inter-lab testing of standard coal 
samples indicates that the station's method of analysis (bomb washing 
titration) is systematically biased high. During 1984, the results 
of such round robin analyses indicated that these results were, on 
average, 53 percent greater than the mean of all the other laborato- 
ries. 



The average of three samples of the coal analyzed in 1984 by the 
Eschka method was 0.48 percent sulphur. The Eschka method is des- 
cribed in the 1976 Edition of the "American Society for Testing and 
Materials," procedure D3177-75. 



4 - 



The sulphur content of the No. 2 fuel oil consumed at the Poplar 
River Power Station varied from 0.06 to 0.08 percent in 1984. 



On May 16, 1984 approximately 3 200 litres of Ferri-Floc solution 
(50 percent Fe2 (804)3) were spilled as a result of a drain pipe 
failure on a holding tank. The spill was contained upstream of the 
first spill containment structure in the ditch south of the plant. 
Spill cleanup procedures were implemented and none of the spill 
materials entered Cookson Reservoir. 



Construction 



Concrete and stoplog overflow structures were constructed between No. 
1 and No. 2 ash lagoons and between No. 2 ash lagoon and the polish- 
ing pond. The structures provide better ash lagoon water level con- 
trol and improve the lagoon management system. A waste water pond, 
overflowing into the polishing pond, was created at the northwest 
corner of No. 1 ash lagoon to facilitate the revised lagoon operating 
regime. The work was completed in October 1984. 



An online ball type recirculation condenser cleaning system was pur- 
chased, installed on Unit 2 and commissioned in October 1984. The 
cleaning system, using charges of plain sponge rubber balls and in- 
termittent charges of ceramic coated balls, mechanically removes 
scale and marine growth from the circulating water side of the con- 
denser tubes. The balls are continuously injected into the condenser 
cooling water inlet, circulated through the condenser tubes, col- 
lected by a screen in the condenser cooling water outlet, and pumped 
back to the inlet. Scale inhibitor chemical dosing at the condenser 
inlet was discontinued. 



5 - 



The Saskatchewan Power Corporation assisted in the installation of 
seven piezometers in Montana during the period September 6, 1984 to 
September 25, 1984. The piezometer locations were selected by the 
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, 



The Poplar River Coal Mine near Coronach was purchased by Prairie 
Coal Limited in 1984. 



Coal mining is expected to continue at the site to the west of Girard 
Creek until December 1989. Additional mine dewatering wells are 
expected to be installed in 1985. 



By 1990, mining operations are expected to be relocated to the Willow 
Bunch South Mine (east of the upper end of Cookson Reservoir) or to 
the Willow Bunch North Mine (located north of Cookson Reservoir). 



Both areas have a better quality coal and are expected to be drier 
than the Poplar River Mine. 



- 6 - 



SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 



Streamflow 



Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal during 1984, 
assuming the recorded flow of the Poplar River at the International 
Boundary is a good indicator of basin runoff conditions. The March 
to October recorded flow volume at that gauge was 8 790 cubic deca- 
metres (dam ), or 53 percent of the 1931-83 average, and would have 
been one of the lowest on record except for a single period of rain- 
fall in June which produced about 2 800 dam of runoff. 



Dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine have resulted in a 
small quantity of water being discharged into Goose Creek, a tribu- 
tary of the Poplar River. Little, if any, of this water reached the 
International Boundary in 1984. 



The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the Internation- 
al Boundary for 1984 was 2 900 dam^, or 20 percent of the mean annual 
flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. 



Minimum Flows 



The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International 
Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1984 was 5 480 dam . For the pur- 
poses of interpreting the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, 
the recorded flow is assumed to be the natural flow. Based on these 
recommendations, this volume entitled the United States to a minimum 



discharge of 0.057 cubic metre per second (m-'/s) from June 1 to 
August 31, 1984 and 0.028 m^/s from September 1, 1984 to May 31, 
1985 on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. The 
March 1 to May 31, 1983 Poplar River volume had previously entitled 
the United States to a minimum flow of 0.028 m^/s for the first 5 
months of 1984. 



The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boun- 
dary exceeded the recommended minimum throughout the year. A minimum 
daily discharge of 0.065 m /s occurred on several days in July, 
August, and December. 



A hydrograph of flow in the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary is depicted in Figure 1. The minimum flow as recommended 
by the IJC is also shown. 



"T 1 1 r 



-1 r 



0.057 iiiV« 



3,./ 



Apportionintnt ricommtndotion for minimuin flow 



0.028 mV» 



^,y 



JAN I FEB I MAR | APR [ MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG I SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC" 

1984 



Figure 1. Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at 
the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow. 



Reservoir Storage 

Cookson Reservoir was near the full-supply level all year, rising 
from an elevation of 752.320 metres (m) on January 1 to a maximum 
water level of 752.836 m on April 15. Elevations and volumes of 
stored water for selected dates are given in Table 2. 

Table 2. Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1984 



Elevation Volume 

Date (1984) (metres) (cubic decametres) 

January 1 752.320 38,300 
April 15 752.836 42,200 
December 31 752.149 37,000 

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43,400 



Storage decreased during the year by 1 300 dam-^, and would have de- 
creased even more during the hot and dry summer if base flows in 
Girard Creek had not been maintained by dewatering operations at the 
Poplar River Mine. These flows assisted in offsetting the evapora- 
tive losses and releases from the reservoir. Based on present condi- 
tions, most of the predicted runoff for 1985 can be stored in the 
reservoir. 



On-Demand Release 



Based on the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the United 
States is entitled to an on-demand volume of 617 dam-^ at any time 
from June 1, 1984 to May 31, 1985. As of December 31, 1984 Montana 
had not requested this release. The on-demand volume entitlement for 
1983 of 370 dam^ was requested on April 10, 1984 to be delivered 
April 15 to May 15. This volume was delivered April 16 to May 24. 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY 



Data Compatibility 



The 1984 surface water quality data indicate that most of the analy- 
tical and sampling procedures of the U.S. Geological Survey and 
Environment Canada are generally compatible, although data indicate 
significant differences in four parameters for one sampling period 
(Table 3). Quality assurance sampling was conducted at the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary by the two agencies on 
September 12, 1984 and provided triplicate samples for analysis by 
each of the respective laboratories. 



Table 3. Incompatibility of Analytical Results of Four Parameters 
from the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, 
September 12, 1984 [units are reported in milligrams per 
litre (mg/L) and micrograms per litre (yg/L)] 



Parameter \ Triplicates 



Environment 

Canada 
1 2 3 



U.S. Geological 
Survey 
1 2 3 



Boron (mg/L) 

Iron - dissolved (ug/L) 

Lead - (yg/D* 

Zinc - (yg/L)* 



1.3 1.3 1. 
80 80 100 
< 1 < 1 < 1 
2 2 2 



1.8 1.8 1. 

11 14 12 

1 5 7 

6 7 5 



*Note - U.S. Geological Survey reports dissolved. Environment Canada 
reports total 



The most important analytical incompatibility was with boron where 
concentrations differed by more than 30 percent. A comparison of 
field to laboratory specific conductances suggests that field instru- 



- 10 



mentation requires assessment. It is difficult to comment on the 
compatibility of methods relating to zinc and lead, because the Geo- 
logical Survey uses a dissolved method and Environment Canada uses a 
total method. Although the data appear incompatible, the concentra- 
tions were near laboratory detection levels and well below the pro- 
posed objectives (Table 4). The agency results for dissolved iron 
were incompatible during the September quality assurance survey. 
Because of the low concentrations for lead and zinc and the fact 
that iron is not addressed in the objectives, only boron is a major 
concern of the sample results. 



Particular attention will be given by government agencies in 1985 to 
further clarify the interagency compatibility for the above noted 
parameters. 



Flow-Weighted Concentrations for Comparison to the IJC Objectives 



The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended: 

For the March to October period, a maximum flow-weighted 
concentration should not exceed 3.5 mg/L for boron, and 
1 500 mg/L for total dissolved solids for any three con- 
secutive months in the East Poplar River at the Interna- 
tional Boundary . 



For the March to October period, a long-term average of 
flow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less 
for boron, and 1 000 mg/L or less for total dissolved 
solids in the Bast Poplar River at the International 
Boundary . 



11 - 



Compliance of the East Poplar River water quality with the proposed 
short-terra objectives for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) is 
tested by calculating the 3-inonth (90-day) moving flow-weighted con- 
centration for each and advancing 1 month at a time while dropping 
the first month of the 3-month period. Prior to 1982, determination 
of compliance was based strictly on instantaneous samples. Since 
the beginning of 1982, daily TDS and boron concentrations have been 
computed from a regression relationship with specific conductance. 
However, the data from both instantaneous samples and from calcula- 
tion of TDS and boron have been presented. 



The Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the approach that for 
the purpose of determining compliance with the proposed IJC long-term 
objectives, the boron and TDS data are best presented as a 5-year, 
flow-weighted moving average which is advanced 1 month at a time. 



East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



Total Dissolved Solids 

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1 500 milligrams per 
litre (mg/L). A plot of the 3-raonth moving flow-weighted concentra- 
tions is shown in Figure 2. No exceedances occurred in 1984 at the 
International Boundary. The maximum 3-month, flow-weighted concen- 
tration during the irrigation season was 869 mg/L. The calculated 
minimum observed was 734 mg/L. The observed relationship between 
TDS and specific conductance is: 

TDS = (0.654 X specific conductance - 6.86) (R^ = 0.902) 



The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS are 
shown in Figure 2. The long-term, flow-weighted values, as well as 

- 12 - 



leOOr 



SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE (1500 mg/L) 



1400 - 
1200 
3 1000 
J 800 

O 

t- 800 

400 

200 





(o) 



■¥ sampl* data 
• calculatad data 






+f+% V 



1975 76 



77 



78 



79 80 

TIME 



81 



82 



83 



1984 



1000 


(k) 


L0N6-TERM OBJECTIVE (1000 mg/L) 





900 


- 






5 800 


. 






9 

E 




... 




S 700 


- 






800 


• 


, ■■■; ••■■; ^-r- , 


1 . 1 



1975 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 19 84 

TIME 



Figure 2 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for 
TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b) 
Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for TDS, 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



13 - 



all the observed instantaneous concentrations, remained woll below 
the proposed objective of 1 000 mg/L. 



Boron 



The proposed short-term objective for boron is 3.5 mg/L. Figure 3 
shows the 3-month moving flow-weighted concentrations for boron. 
There were no exceedances over the period of record (1975 to 1984). 
The maximum 3-month, flow-weighted concentration for boron during 
the 1984 irrigation period calculated from the regression equation 
was 1.79 mg/L. Using the instantaneous data set a maximum boron 
concentration was calculated to be 1.86 mg/L. 



Boron concentrations used in the flow-weighting computation were cal- 
culated from daily specific conductance values, using the regression 
equation: 

B = (0.00149 X specific conductance) -0.31 (R^ = 0.79) 



The trend in each annual curve is similar. As autumn approaches, the 
3-month, flow-weighted concentrations rise gradually as the ground 
water contribution accounts for a greater percentage of the stream- 
flow. In 1984, however, the dip in concentration during spring run- 
off is less pronounced than in most previous years, probably owing 
to a comparatively small amount of spring runoff. 



The long-terra, 5-year moving flow-weighted mean concentration is pre- 
sented in Figure 3. Each point is plotted at the midpoint of a 5- 
year period, advancing 1 month at a time through the data set. Al- 
though only the irrigation season (March to October) was of concern 
to the IJC, all yearly values are included in Figure 3, to better 

- 14 - 



4r 



3 - 







SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE (3.5 mg/L) 




(o) 


+ torn pit data 


'' 




• calculated data 


■ 


. ;-.. 


•• " • ••' /•* 44»*>H>+ 


■ 




■■ ■•••.• ■■••• - ■;;;. V 



I - 



0' 1 



1975 76 77 78 79 80 81 

TIME 



82 83 1984 



2.5 
2.0 

a 1.5 1- 

V. 

9 

E 

1 1.0 

o 

ID 

0.5 - 



LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE (2.5 mg/L) 



(b) 



1976 76 77 78 79 80 81 

TIME 



82 83 1984 



Figure 3 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for 
Boron, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b) 
Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for Boron, 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



15 



present the long-term trends in tlie data. The 5-year, moving f! 5w- 
weighted concentration for boron does not exceed the 2.5 mg/L recom- 
mended long-term objective. The maximum value for the period, 1975 
to December 1984, is 1.46 mg/L, plotted for January 1979. 



Other Water Quality Characteristics 

Table 4 shows the multi-purpose water quality objectives recommended 
by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. 
The number of samples collected for each parameter by Canadian and 
United States agencies is also shown. One dissolved aluminum concen- 
tration of 0.11 rag/L was reported on the 17th of June. This single 
value is not considered to be significant, however, as it is only 
0.01 mg/L above the objective of 0.10 mg/L. Other than this one 
anomalous value, the recommended objectives were met for the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary. 



The inverse relationship on the East Poplar River that existed 
between specific conductance and streamflow prior to construction of 
Cookson Reservoir remains, but has been modified somewhat as a result 
of reservoir mixing and controlled releases. During periods of high 
runoff, such as the spring freshet, the specific conductance de- 
creases, as the proportion of streamflow derived from ground water 
decreases. Conversely, during times of low streamflow (late summer, 
winter) the contribution of ground water to streamflow is proportion- 
ately greater. Because the natural ground water has a higher ionic 
strength than does the surface water entering the river, the specific 
conductance of the stream increases markedly during periods of 
reduced flow. 



With the exception of a sample taken on August 8, 1984, the Environ- 
ment Canada data indicated that the mercury content was at or below 



16 - 



Table 4. Recommended Water-quality Objectives and Exceedances and 
the 1984 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the In- 
ternational Boundary (units in milligrams per litre, 
except as otherwise noted). 













No. 


of 














samples 


(1984) 


Exceed- 


Parameter 






( 


Dbjective 


USA 


Canada 


ances 


Objectives recommended 


by 


IJC to Governments 


12 




Boron - total 








Note 1 


11 


Nil 


TDS 








Note 1 


11 


12 


Nil 


Objectives recoiranende 


l£. 


by 


Board to IJC 


2 


12 




Aluminum - dissolved 








0.1 


1 


Ammonia - un-ionized 








0.2 


11 


12 


Nil 


Cadmium - total 








0.0012 


1 


12 


Nil 


Chromium - total 








0.05 


1 


8 


Nil 


Copper - dissolved 








0.005 


2 


Nil 


Nil 


Copper - total 








1.0 


1 


12 


Nil 


Fluoride - dissolved 








1.5 


11 


12 


Nil 


Lead - total 








0.03 


1 


12 


Nil 


Mercury - dissolved 








0.0002 


Nil 


Nil 


Nil 


Mercury - whole fish 


(mg/kg) 


0.5 


Nil 


Nil 


Nil 


Nitrate - N 








10.0 


11 


12 


Nil 


Dissolved oxygen 








Note 2 


14 


12 


Nil 


Sodium adsorption ratio 


) 




10.0 


11 


12 


Nil 


Sulphate 








800.0 


11 


12 


Nil 


Zinc - total 








0.03 


1 


12 


Nil 


Temperature CC) 








Note 3 


14 


12 


Nil 


PH 








Note 4 


14 


12 


Nil 


Coliform - fecal 
















(No./lOO mL) 




2 


,000/100 mL 


Nil 


12 


Nil 


- total 






20 


,000/100 mL 


Nil 


12 


Nil 


Note 

















1. March to October, long-term average of flow-weighted concentra- 
tions should be <^ 2.5 mg/L for boron, and <_ 1 000 mg/L for TDS 
with a maximum flow-weighted concentration not to exceed 3.5 
mg/L for boron and 1 500 mg/L for TDS for any 3-month period 
during this time. 

2. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum rest of year). 

3. Natural (April 10 to May 15), less than 30°C (rest of year). 

4. 6.5 (minimum) and less than 0.5 above natural. 



- 17 - 



the analytical detection limit of 0.02 inicrogram per litre 
(yg/L). The reported value of 0.06 Ug/L observed on August 8, 
was anomalous, but still is much less than the proposed objective of 
0.2 Ug/L. Uranium data for 1984 are unavailable for the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary but based on historical 
data are believed to be typical of background concentrations found 
in surface waters. 



Cookson Reservoir 



Data submitted quarterly by Saskatchewan Environment indicate that 
the TDS and boron concentrations of Cookson Reservoir discharge 
remained below 1 000 and 2.5 mg/L, respectively. The observed boron 
and TDS concentrations at the sampling site in the reservoir near 
the dam are generally somewhat higher than those observed at the up- 
stream station near Highway 36, during 1984. As follow-up to its 
work in September 1983, Environment Canada conducted further sampling 
for mercury in water and sediment of Cookson Reservoir during 1984. 
Preliminary results on the samples indicate mercury levels in water 
to be below the analytical detection limit. A detailed report on 
the results of these mercury analyses is in preparation. 



18 - 



GROUND WATER QUANTITY 



Saskatchewan 



Pumpage from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells 



The monthly pumpages from the coal dewatering wells are shown in 
Table 5. 



Table 5. 1984 Dewatering Rates from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells 



Month 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 





Pumpag< 


5S 




(Cubic Decametres) 




(Litres 


per Second) 


665 






248 


655 






261 


638 






238 


659 






254 


720 






269 


643 






248 


685 






256 


648 






242 


573 






221 


569 






213 


626 






241 


683 






255 



TOTAL 7,764 dam^ (6,294 acre-feet) 



Discharges 



Water was discharged from 19 locations during 1984. The majority 
of the discharges were into Girard Creek; one discharge was directly 



- 19 



into Cookson Reservoir, and one discharge was into a tributary of 
Goose Creek. None of this water reached the main stem of Goose 
Creek. 



Water Levels 



Saskatchewan Power Corporation compiled a map (Figure 4) of the 
water level drawdown in the Hart Coal Seam, dated December 31, 1984. 



The drawdown advanced somewhat towards the International Boundary. 
The 1-m contour of water level drawdown on the December 31, 1984 map 
was about 1.8 kilometres (km) north of the International Boundary, 
compared to 2.4 km a year earlier. The 5-m contour of water level 
drawdown was about 4.8 km north of the International Boundary, 
compared to 5.2 km in December 1983. Maximum drawdown of the water 
level in the Hart Coal seam at the pumping centre is 25 m. 



Montana 



Water levels in wells declined during most of 1984 in response to 
decreased precipitation, but the levels were rising in late 1984 with 
the exceptions of wells 5 and 6. Except for the possible effect on 
wells 5 and 6, there appears to be no impact from dewatering opera- 
tions. 



The Daniels County Conservation District obtained funding for the 



- 20 - 



loeoao 



49»00 — 




6 KILOMETERS 



Figure 4. Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from Dewatering 
Activities as of December 1984. 



21 - 



East Fork Poplar River Ground-Water Monitoring Program in 1984. The 
funds were provided by the Montana Coal Board. Ground-water quantity 
and quality are being monitored utilizing 21 observation wells. 



In 1984, 11 observation wells were drilled and added to the original 
network of 10 wells (Figure 4). Seven of these wells were drilled by 
the Saskatchewan Power Corporation. Nine wells were cased with 4- 
inch PVC and two with 2-inch PVC. Gamma, density and resistivity 
logs were run on all of the boreholes by the Saskatchewan Power 
Corporation. 



Some development work on the wells was performed after drilling, but 
not sufficient to obtain good water quality samples. This work will 
be continued in the spring of 1985 when water will be sampled from 
these wells. 



- 22 



GROUND WATER QUALITY 



Saskatchewan 



Ground water sampling continued in 1984 at the locations specified in 
the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Piezometer C726B is considered 
to be naturally anomalous due to local soil conditions. Because of 
the extremely high and variable levels for major ions observed in 
this piezometer over the period of record, sampling was discontinued 
at the end of 1983. 



Water Quality in the Tills 



Waters from the tills are of generally poorer quality than those 
from the Empress Gravels. This is illustrated in Figure 5, where 
TDS has been plotted for each piezometer. The higher, and more 
variable concentrations were associated with piezometers completed 
in till, whereas TDS levels in the Empress-completed piezometers 
rarely exceed 1 200 mg/L. The differences in concentration observed 
both spatially and temporally in the tills can be attributed to 
localized geochemical conditions adjacent to the piezometer intakes. 



Piezometer C712B at location 2a, just to the north of the polishing 
pond, does not display any consistent variation, or trend in water 
quality. Aluminum, boron, and strontium appear to have reached a 
yearly maximum in the July 4, 1984 sampling, but these values de- 
crease again in the October 10, 1984 sampling. Locations 2b and 2c, 
also to the north of the polishing pond, likewise display no consis- 
tent water quality trends over the October 1983 to October 1984 
period. 



23 - 






I I i i i I I i i 
I I i i : I I i i 



Q ^ 

I / 



H 1- 



K, 



7> > 






/ 



/ 
/ 

/ 
/ / 

Of 4 

\ \ 
\ 
\ 



m. 



♦ ^, 



k^v 



-^i^<, 






- 24 - 



At location 9a, at the west end of the polishing pond, piezometer 
C728B shows somewhat elevated levels of uranium in the July 5, 1984 
and October 12, 1984 samplings. These higher than usual values have 
occurred sporadically in samplings of previous years (for instance 
October 1982), but are not considered to be representative of any 
significant trend. Similar variability in uranium concentrations 
during 1984 is noted for piezometer C728C. Significant concentration 
trends with respect to uranium or to any other parameters in C728B or 
C728C are not apparent. 



At location 8a, at the western edge of the ash lagoon No. 1, monitor- 
ing was discontinued in piezometer C726B after 1983, because of 
extremely high levels of various ions measured, and because of the 
extreme variability in concentration observed over time. It was 
assumed that these high concentrations and extreme variability were 
of a natural origin. Other piezometers completed in till at location 
8a (C726A, C726C) display much more moderate hydrochemical variation. 
No particular trends in water quality have been noted over the period 
of record for either piezometer. 



In piezometer C534, monitoring was continued in 1984. Iron and zinc 
analyses were discontinued, due to contamination from the galvanized 
steel casing. No significant trends were evident in any parameter 
over the entire period of record. 



Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 



The Empress Gravels form an important aquifer in the East Poplar 
River Basin. The associated ground waters are of a moderately high 



- 25 



alkalinity, and a predominantly calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type. 
Sulphate is the second most abundant anion. 



At locations 2a (piezometer C726E), 9a (piezometer 728E), C533, C741, 
and C742, no significant overall water quality trends are apparent. 
During the 1984 meeting, the Bilateral Monitoring Committee recognized 
that, due to the galvanized steel pipe used in the construction of 
C533, iron and zinc concentrations from that piezometer have been 
unreliable. These two parameters, therefore, have not been reported 
in 1984. 



Due to the absence of consistent water quality trends in the Empress 
Gravel, it appears that no significant amount of leakage from the 
lagoons, into the gravels, has occurred. 



Montana 



Water quality sampling was conducted in September 1984. Wells 5 
through 11 were sampled utilizing a submersible pump; wells 3 and 4 
using a gas lift sampler; and well 2 was bailed due to the depth of 
water. 



The ground-water chemistry appears to be stable from year to year. 
Sulfide greater than 0.1 mg/L was detected only in samples from the 
two Fox Hills-Hell Creek wells (4 and 11) and from one Hart Coal well 
(2). The sulfide and sulfate values were used to calculate the 
redox potential for these three samples. These three waters all lie 
in the pyrite stability field. The water in well 11 is also satu- 
rated with respect to siderite. The high iron content (0.5 mg/L) of 

- 26 - 



water from well 11 may be at least partly due to the use of steel 
casing for that well. Additionally, well 2 still contains anomalous 
amounts of zinc (about 2 mg/L) believed to have been introduced dur- 
ing drilling. 



- 27 



ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 



The ash lagoon system at the Poplar River Power Plant continues to be 
operated on a closed system basis, with no discharges to surface 
waters. During 1984 sluiced ash was directed into both ash lagoons 
No. 1 and No. 2. In early fall, modifications to the control struc- 
ture permitted series operation of ash lagoon No. 1, ash lagoon No. 
2, and the polishing pond. Water from the polishing pond is returned 
to the plant for ash sluicing. Water depths in the operational ash 
lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 were in the 4.8-5.7 m and 2.3-3.1 m ranges, 
respectively. 



Seepage was again calculated in 1984 using the methods developed by 
T. A. Prickett, P. E. of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the calcula- 
tions for the ash lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 and the polishing pond are 
given in table 6. 



Table 6. Calculated Seepage Rates from Ash Lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 



Source Rate (L/s) 

Polishing Pond 0.183 

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.143 

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.230 

TOTAL SEEPAGE 0.556 



Although the calculated seepage appears to reflect the loading 
effects from ash lagoon No. 2, the total is well below the seepage 
limits (5.0 L/s to Cookson Reservoir and 2.0 L/s to the East Poplar 
River) proposed in 1979 by the International Poplar River Water Qual- 



ity Board of the IJC. The permeabilities of ash lagoon No. 1 and 
No. 2 and polishing pond liners were calculated and found to be in 
the same order of magnitude (10~ cm/s) as originally calculated 
by T. A. Prickett. 



The leachate front advancement towards the reservoir is calculated to 
be 2.5 m since the ponds were initially filled. The water front in 
the Empress formation is calculated to have advanced to 484 m south- 
east of the lagoons. Based on Empress formation water chemistry 
information, lagoon effects were not observed. Leachate flow to 
Cookson Reservoir and to the East Poplar River was zero. 



Saskatchewan Environment requires that Saskatchewan Power Corporation 
maintain the stability of the ash system lagoon dykes. In addition 
to the daily and monthly visual inspections, an annual investigation 
by a geotechnical engineer was conducted in early May 1984. The mini- 
mum freeboard of 1.47 m was exceeded in the polishing pond during two 
periods and in ash lagoon No. 1 in December 1984. The problem in the 
polishing pond was remedied by water transfer to ash lagoon No. 2. 
The level in Ash Lagoon No. 1 remained high because this lagoon is 
now full of ash. New control structures including the previous 
internal dyke (Lagoon No. 1 - Polishing pond) breach repair were com- 
pleted in early fall to facilitate recirculation capabilities. 



Saskatchewan Power Corporation has, since May 1983, undertaken analy- 
ses of filtered ash lagoon water samples to obtain appropriate infor- 
mation on potential leachate quality. Analysis of ash was also ob- 
tained. Based on 1983 and 1984 data comparisons, the expected in- 
creases in the ash lagoons and the polishing pond occurred for: 
sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, total dissolved solids, alumi- 
num, boron, chromium, and zinc. 



29 



Ash lagoon No. 3 was not used in 1984 but 1 to 2 m of water were 
maintained in the lagoon to protect the clay liner from dessication 
and freezing. 



30 



AIR QUALITY 



Saskatchewan 



Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. 
To date, a few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this 
site. There were two high concentrations during 1984, both occurring 
on June 22, at 1100 and 1200 hours. The levels were 20.3 and 17.0 
parts per hundred million (pphm) respectively. Saskatchewan Environ- 
ment's 1 hour air quality standard is 17.0 pphm (Figure 6). Weather 
information for this day indicates that winds for the entire 24 hour 
period were blowing mainly from the northwest quadrant. Since the 
plant is located south of the monitoring station it is unlikely that 
the plant was the source of the high readings. The source of the two 
readings has not been determined. The next highest reading of 6.0 
pphm occurred on May 2 at 1830 hours. Weather information for this 
day indicates winds blowing from the southeast quadrant for the 
entire 24 hour period, which would indicate the power plant as the 
main source. 



Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach exceeded Saskatche- 
wan Environment's 24-hour average standard of 120 micrograms per 
cubic metre (yg/m^) on six occasions, as compared to four in 1983. 
In four of the cases, April 24, 30, and May 12, 24, weather informa- 
tion indicated winds blowing predominantly from the northwest quadrant, 
suggesting that the power plant was not the main source. Wind blown 
dust from fields north of the monitoring site was the most probable 
source. The other two instances occurred on June 29 and December 20. 
Weather data for these 2 days indicated wind directions mainly from 
the south, suggesting the power plant as a possible source of dust 
emissions. Power plant operating summaries for December 20 note a 
power trip of Unit No. 2 precipitator which caused violations of the 
opacity standard. However, the highest concentration in Montana was 

- 31 - 



SAMAICHIUAII lUXlMJM HOURLV SO] AID QUAIIK DAT* 
COMMKN MICII TRCATICIIT PLANT 




HNANJJA$0ilDHN)kNiJ*s6il6JFNAMJJAS0ilDHNANJJH6)l6HilANJ^ 
IWO I )9ei I IM? I 1M3 I 1984 



SAWATCHtUAN NAXIMUH OAILT SO; AIR guAlIT* DATA 
COROMCH MTED TREATICNT RIANT 



SASKATCHEMAN 24 MOW STAWARD - 



A.. 



Nltttng Dttt 



JFNAMJJASOIIOJFNANJJASOIIOJrNANJJASOIIDJrNANJJASOIIOJFItANJJASaNO 
I IMO I IMI I IM2 j IM) I IM4 | 



Figure 6. Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water Treatment 
Plant. 



- 32 - 



also observed on December 20. The 1984 annual geometric mean of 39.8 
Ug/m-^ is still well below the Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 pg/m^. 



In-stack monitoring results showed less variance in 1984, as a result 
of improvements in plant operations. Daily nitrogen oxide concentra- 
tions ranged from 620 to 1 593 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with 
an average yearly concentration of 800 mg/m-^ as compared to 900 mg/m^ 
in 1983. However, operating problems continued to plague the nitro- 
gen oxides monitor in 1984. As a result data from April to December 
are questionable and may represent only 50 percent of actual values. 
Daily sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 2 168 to 3 120 mg/m-^ 
with an average yearly concentration of 2 600 mg/m-^ as compared to 
2 750 mg/m^ in 1983. Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 1.3 x 
10~^ tonnes per megawatt hour due to firing on coal and 1.5 x 10 
tonnes per megawatt hour due to firing on oil. 



Average daily opacity readings ranged from 18 to 76 percent, with a 
yearly average of 22 percent. Saskatchewan's opacity standard is 40 
percent. In most instances, opacity violations occurred when one of 
the precipitators experienced a power trip. 



Montana 



The State of Montana operated three primary air monitoring sites and 
five additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of 
Montana from July 1984 through December 1984. The parameters moni- 
tored included: sulfur dioxide, total suspended particulate, fine 
particulates, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind direction, and temper- 
ature. Poplar River air monitoring did not start until July of 1984 
because the 1983 Montana Legislature provided funding for only 1 



- 33 - 



additional year of monitoring which was to commmence when both 
Coronach units sustained near-capacity operation. The monitoring 
results are summarized in Table 7. 



During the last half of 1984, sulfur dioxide concentrations remained 
less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality stan- 
dards. The maximum 1-hour concentration of 8.5 pphm was recorded at 
the International Boundary site during November. This concentration 
is approximately one-sixth of the Montana standard. The highest 
24-hour concentration of 1.2 pphm also occurred at the International 
Boundary site, but during August. The Montana 24-hour standard is 

10 pphm. A comparison of sulfur dioxide concentrations with Class 

11 Prevention of Significant Deterioration increments demonstrates 
that the 24-hour concentration is the averaging time which consumes 
the most increment. The 1.2 pphm 24-hour average at the Internation- 
al Boundary site would consume 35 percent of the available increment. 
All of the higher sulfur dioxide concentrations noted above occurred 
with northwest winds, indicating that the Saskatchewan Power Corpora- 
tion generating facilities were the source. 



The Montana and United States standards for total suspended particu- 
lates were not exceeded at any of the three monitoring sites. The 
highest 24-hour concentration was 114 Ug/m recorded on December 20, 
1984, at the Richardson site. The Hanrahan site recorded the highest 
geometric and arithmetic means at 19.4 and 27.3 Mg/m-^, respectively. 
The levels of total suspended particulates observed during 1984 
are low and representative of rural Montana. 



In July 1984, an extended network of lead dioxide sulfation plates 
was installed in the Poplar River area. The sulfation plate network 
included the existing three primary monitoring sites and five addi- 



- 34 - 



Table 7. Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results during 1984 in Montana. 



Sulfur Dioxide (pphm) 

Site Highest 1-hr. Highest 3-hr. Highest 24-hr . Annual Average 



Border (6)1 
Hanrahan (6)^ 



8.5 
4.8 



4.4 
3.2 



1.2 
1.0 



0.1 
0.2 



Sulfation Rate (mg/100 cm^/day) 



Site 


July 




Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Richardson 


.010 




.000 


.000 


.000 


.000 


.000 


Microwave Tower 


.000 




.035 


.015 


.000 


.000 


.000 


Flaxville 


.000 




.010 


.005 


.000 


.025 


.000 


TV Tower 


.010 




.025 


.005 


.000 


.015 


.000 


Scobey Downtown 


.010 




.030 


.040 


.000 


.080 


.000 


Four Buttes 


.005 




.010 


.000 


.000 


.000 


.000 


Border 


.015 




.035 


.000 


.000 


.045 


.000 


Border (S02)^ 
Hanrahan 


.0013 




.0017 


.0002 


.0002 


.0012 


.0003 


.005 




.040 


.005 


.000 


.035 


.000 


Hanrahan (SO2) 


.0007 




.0015 


.0021 


.0031 


.0023 


.0011 


Total Suspended 


Particulate ( 


^V'^/i 


^3) 




















Geometric 


Arithmetic 


Site 


Highest 24- 
54 


-hr. 


2nd 


Highest 
48 


24-hr. 


Mean 


Mean 


Border (6)1 




16.4 


23.3 


Hanrahan (6)^ 


89 






84 




19.4 


27.3 


Richardson (6)^ 


114 






62 




17.2 


25.4 



NOTES: 

1 Parentheses denote the number of sample months. 

^ The monthly sulfur dioxide averages measured by the continuous sulfur 

dioxide analyzers are presented below the corresponding sulfation rate 

data for comparison purposes. 



35 - 



tional locations: the Microwave Tower, Flaxville, the TV Tower, Four 
Buttes, and Scobey Downtown. The objectives were to use sulfation 
rates to obtain a broad geographical indication of sulfur dioxide 
concentrations and to investigate the relationship between sulfation 
rate and sulfur dioxide concentrations. Montana anticipates that 
funding will not be available in the future for continuous sulfur 
dioxide monitoring. Therefore, Montana hoped that sulfation rate 
might prove to be an inexpensive substitute. 



Over the last 6 months of 1984, sulfation rates were only slightly 
above detectable levels. The highest monthly value was 0.080 "nilli- 
gram per 100 centimetre squared per day (mg/100 cm^/day) at the 
Scobey downtown site during November. Although levels were low, 
there appears to be a direct relationship between sulfation rate and 
sulfur dioxide at the Border site. Similar data from the Hanrahan 
site indicates no relationship. 



36 - 



ANNEX 1 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



CANADA - UNITED STATES 



- 1 



September 23, 1980 



POPLAR RIVER 
COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 

I. PURPOSE 

This Arrangement will provide for the exchange of data collected as 
described in the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules in water 
quality, water quantity and air quantity monitoring programs being 
conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International 
Boundary in response to the Saskatchewan Power Corporation develop- 
ment. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of 
the data in each country and will assure its comparability and assist 
in its technical interpretation. 

The Arrangement will replace and expand upon the quarterly information 
exchange program instituted between Canada and the United States 
in 1976. 

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS 

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement 
are: 

Government of Canada: Environment Canada 

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan 

Environment 
Government of the United States of America: U.S. Geological 

Survey 
Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office 

HI. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE 

A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring 
Committee will be established to carry out responsibilities assigned 
to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in accor- 
dance with the following terms of reference: 

A. Membership 

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from 
each of the participating Governments. It will be jointly chaired 
by the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States. 
There will be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The 
participating Governments will notify each other of any changes in 
membership on the Committee. Cochairmen may by mutual agreement 
invite agency technical experts to participate in the work of the 
Committee. 



2 - 



The Governor of the State of Montana may also appoint a chief elective 
official of local government to participate as an ex officio member 
of the Committee in its technical deliberations. The Saskatchewan 
Minister of the Environment may also appoint a similar local represen- 
tative. 

B. Functions of the Committee 

The role of the Committee will be to fulfill the purpose of the 
Arrangement by ensuring the exchange of monitored data in accordance 
with the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation 
and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementa- 
tion of the Arrangement. In addition, the Committee will review the 
existing monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and may recommend 
to the Canadian and United States Governments any modifications to 
improve the technical monitoring schedules. 

1. Information Exchange 

Each Cochairman will be responsible for transmitting to his counter- 
part Cochairman on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis, 
the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accor- 
dance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules. 

2. Reports 

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint Annual Report to the partici- 
pating governments, and may at any time prepare joint Special 
Reports. 

(b) Annual Reports will 

i) summarize the main activities of the Committee in the year 
under Report and the data which has been exchanged under 
the Arrangement; 

ii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any 
definitive changes in the monitored parameters, based on 
collation and technical interpretation of exchanged data 
(i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other 
appropriate techniques); 

iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any 
recommendations regarding the adequacy or redundancy of any 
scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals regarding 
modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based 
on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including 
analytical methods to ensure their comparability. 



- 3 - 



c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of partici- 
pating governments definitive changes in monitored parameters 
which may require immediate attention, 

d) Preparation of Reports 

Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee 
members and will be signed by all Committee members. Reports 
will be separately forwarded by the Committee Cochairmen to the 
participating governments. All annual and special reports will 
be so distributed. 

3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections 

The Canadian and United States section will be separately responsible 
for: 

(a) dissemination of information within their respective countries, 
and the arrangement of any discussion required with local elec- 
ted officials; 

(b) verification that monitoring operations are being carried out in 
accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating 
monitoring agencies; 

(c) receipt and collation of monitored data generated by the coopera- 
ting monitoring agencies in their respective countries as speci- 
fied in the Technical Monitoring Schedules; 

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate govern- 
ment in their respective countries any failure to comply with a 
scheduled monitoring function on the part of any cooperating 
agency under the jurisdiction of that government, and requesting 
that appropriate corrective action be taken. 

IV. PROVISION OF DATA 

In order to ensure that the Committee is able to carry out the terms 
of this Arrangement, the participating governments will use their 
best efforts to have cooperating monitoring agencies, in their re- 
spective jurisdictions provide on an ongoing basis all scheduled 
monitored data for which they are responsible. 

V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT 

The Arrangement will be effective for an initial term of five years 
and may be amended by agreement of the participating governments. 
It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will 
be renewed thereafter for as long as it is required by the participa- 
ting governments. 



- 4 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1985 



CANADA - UNITED STATES 



- 1 - 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1985 



CANADA 



- 5 - 



STREAMFLOW MOM [TORINO 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 



Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as 
normally published in surface water data publications. 

Station Name 



No. on 


Hap 


Station No 


1. 




11AE003 
(06178500) 


2. 




11AE013 


3. 




11AE015 


4. 




11AE014 



East Poplar River at 
International Boundary 

Cookson Reservoir near 
Coronach 

Girard Creek near Coronach 

East Poplar River above 
Cookson Reservoir 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation 

5. * Fife Lake Overflow 



Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by 
SDOE during periods of outflow only. 



6 - 




HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS 



- 7 - 



SURFACE UATHR ijUALITY MONITORING 
Sampling Locations 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No. on 
Map 

2 
3 
4 
5 



Stat ion No. 

(31SK02000002 

00SK02000012 

0SSK02000008 

05SK02000004 

00SK02000003 



OOSA11AE0008 



Station Name 

Fife Lake Overflow 

Glrard Creek South of Town of Coronach 

Upper End of Cookaon Reservoir at Highway 36 

Cookson Reservoir near Dam 

East Poplar River at culvert Immediately below 

Cookaon Reservoir 

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 

East Poplar River at International Boundary 



Parameters 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



ESQUADAT* 
Code 

"nrm 

10101 

13004 

33004 

06201 

05451 

48002 

20103 

06052 

06005 

06301 

17203 

06711 

24004 

36012 

36002 

02041 

29005 

09105 

82002 

12102 

80011 

42005 

07015 

10401 

10501 

28002 

07110 

06521 

08102 

15406 

19103 

34005 

11002 

16306 

10451 

0206YZ 

23004 

30005 

10301 



Parameter 

Alkallnlty-pheno 

Alkallnlty-tot 

Aluminum tot 

Arsenic-tot 

Blcarbonates 

Boron- tot 

Cadmium-tot 

Calcium 

Carbon-tot Inorg 

Carbon-tot Org 

Carbonates 

Chloride 

Chlorophyll 'a' 

Chromium- tot 

Conform- fee 

Collform-tot 

Conductivity 

Copper- tot 

Flourlde 

Lead-tot 

Magnesium 

Mercury- tot 

Molybdenum 

N-TKN 

NFR 

NFR (F) 

Nickel-tot 

Nitrate + NO2 

Oil and Grease 

Oxygen-dlss 

Phosphorus -tot 

Potassium 

Selenium- Ext 

Sodium 

Sulphate 

TDS 

Temperature 

Vanadium-tot 

Zinc-tot 

pH 





San 


ipllng 


Frequency 




Analytical 


Station 










Method 


No: 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


Pot. Titration 




OF 


Q 


a 





"T" 


Pot. Titration 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-direct 






A 


A 


A 


A 


Flameless-A.A. 






A 


A 


A 


A 


Calculated 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


ICPA 




W 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 




A 


A 


A 


A 


AA-Dlrect 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


IR 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


IR 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Calculated 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Colourlmetery 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Colourlmetery 






Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-direct 






A 


A 


A 


A 


MF 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


MF 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Conductivity meter 




W 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 




A 


A 


A 


A 


Specific Ion electrode 




A 


A 


A 


A 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 




A 


A 


A 


A 


AA-dlrect 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Flameless AA 






A 


A 


A 


A 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 




A 


A 


A 


A 


Colourlmetry 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Gravimetric 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Gravimetric 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Colourlmetry 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Pet. Ether Extraction 




A 


A 


A 


A 


Meter 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Colourlmetry 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Flame Photometery 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Hydride Generation 






A 


A 


A 


A 


Flame Photometry 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Colourlmetry 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Gravimetric 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Thermometer 




OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


AA-Dlrect 






A 


A 


A 


A 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 




A 


A 


A 


A 


Electrometric 




W 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 



' Computer storage and retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment 

Symbols: W - Weekly during overflow; OF - once during each period of overflow greater 
than 2 weeks' duration; Q - quarterly; A - annually in the fall; AA - atomic 
absorption; IR - Infrared; Pot - potentiometrlc; NFR - nonf ilterable residue 
NFRF - nonf Ilterable residue, fixed. 

AA - Solvent Extract (MIBK): Sample digested with HNO3 and extracted with methyl 
isobutyl ketone. 

ICPA - Plasma eromlsslon 

MF - membrane filtration 



PARAMETERS (.^.unt Inued) 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 









Sampling Frequency 


NAQUADAT* 




Analytical 


Station 


Code 


Parameter 


Method 


No: 6 


10151 


Alkallnlty-pheno 


Potentiometric 


M 


10106 


Alkalinity-tot 


IR Detector 


M 


13102 


Altiminuia-Diss . 


AA-Direct 


M 


07569 


Ammonia- Free 


Calculated 


M 


07506 


Ammonia- tot 


Electrometric 


M 


33108 


Arsenic-dlss 


Plasma 


M 


56001 


Barixim-tot 


AA Direct 


M 


06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 


M 


05105 


Boron-diss 


Carmlnic Acid 


M 


48002 


Cadmium- tot 


AA Solv. Ext. 


M 


20103 


Calcium 


AA-Direct 


M 


06401 


Carbon Dioxide 


Calculated 


M 


06902 


Carbon-partic 


Elemental Analyzer 


M 


06002 


Carbon- tot Org 


Calculated 


M 


06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


M 


17206 


Chloride 


Colourlmetric 


M 


06717 


Chlorophyll a 


Spectrophotometric 


M 


24003 


Chromium- tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


27002 


Cobalt- tot 


AA Solv. Ext. 


M 


36012 


Coliform-fec 


MF 


M 


36002 


Collform-tot 


MF 


M 


02021 


Colour 


Comparator 


M 


02041 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


M 


29005 


Copper-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


06604 


Cyanide 


UV-Colourimetric 


M 


09106 


Fluoride 


Electrometric 


M 


10602 


Hardness 


Calculated 


M 


08501 


Hydroxide 


Calculated 


M 


26104 


Iron-dlss 


AA-dlrect 


M 


82002 


Lead-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


12102 


Magnesium 


AA-direct 


M 


25104 


Manganese-diss 


AA-dlrect 


M 


80011 


Mercury- tot 


Flameless AA 


M 


07902 


N-parttculate 


Elemental Analyzer 


M 


07651 


N-tot diss 


UV Colourioetrlc 


M 


10401 


NFR 


Gravimetric 


M 


28002 


Nickel-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


07110 


Nitrate 


Colourlmetric 


M 


07603 


Nitrogen- tot 


Calculated 


M 


180XX 


Organo Chlorines 


GC 


M 


08101 


Oxygen-diss 


Winkler 


M 


15901 


P-partlculate 


Calculated 


M 


15103 


P-tot diss 


Colourlmetric 


M 


06535 


Phenolics 


Colourlmetric 


M 


185XX 


Phenoxy Herbicides 


GC 


M 


15406 


Phosphorus- tot 


Colourlmetric 


M 


19103 


Potassium 


Flame Emission 


H 


18601 


Piccoram 


GC 


H 


11250 


Percent Sodium 


Calculated 


M 


00210 


Sat Index 


Calculated 


M 


34108 


Selenium-dlss 


Plasma 


M 


14102 


Silica 


Colourlmetric 


M 


11103 


Sodium 


Flame Emission 


M 


00211 


Stab Index 


Calculated 


M 


16306 


Sulphate 


Colourlmetric 


M 


00202 


TDS 


Calculated 


M 


02061 


Temperature 


Alcohol 


M 


02073 


Turbidity 


Nephelometric 


M 


23002 


Vanadium-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


30005 


Zinc-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


10301 


pH 


Electrometric 


M 


92111 


Uranium 


Flurometric 


MC 



♦Computer storage and retrieval system - Environment Canada 

Symbols: M-Monthly; AA-atoralc absorption; MF-membrane filtration; UV-ultraviolet ; 

NFR-nonf ilterable residue; GC-gas chromatography; MC-Monthly Composite; 

IR- infrared 



- 9 



^ 




Leeeno 

ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN 
ENVIRONMENT CANADA 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS 



- 11 - 



GROUND WATEt QUALITY W H ITORIWC 

Sampling Locations 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 

Sampling Frequency: Annually 







Station 


Description 




SPC 


Sampling 




Station 


Piezometer No. 


Elevation (m) 


Material 


8a 


C726A 


746.338 


unoxidized till 




C726C 


752.739 


oxidized till 




C726D 


755.543 


oxidized till 


8a 


C726E 


738.725 


empress gravel 


9a 


C728A 


753.405 


oxidized till 




C728B 


743.265 


unoxidized till 




C728C 


747.645 


mottled till 




C728D 


752.305 


oxidized till 


9a 


C728E 


739.912 


empress gravel 


2a 


C712B 


746.112 


oxidized till 


2b 


C718 


748.385 


mottled till 


2c 


C719 


747.715 


oxidized till 


C533 


C533 


740.441 


empress gravel 


C534 


C534 


753.499 


till 


18 


C741 


735.153 


empress gravel 


19 


C735 


753.789 


empress gravel 


21 


C742 


741.800 
Parameters 


empress gravel 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



ESQUADAT* 
Code 



Analytical 
Method 



Sampling Frequency 

Station 

No: Piezometers 



10I0I 


Alkallnlty-tot 


Pot-Tltratlon 




A 


13105 


Alunlnun-Dlss 


AA-Dlrecc 




3 


33104 


Arsenlc-Dlss 


Flameless AA 




A 


56104 


Barlun-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


06201 


Blcarbonatea 


Calculated 




A 


05106 


Boron-dlss 


Colourlmetry 




3 


48102 


Cadmlun-Dlss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


20103 


Calclum-Dlss 


AA-dlrect 




A 


06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 




A 


17203 


Chlorlde-Dlss 


Colourlmetry 




A 


24104 


Chromlun-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


27102 


Colbalt-Dlss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


02011 


Colour 


Comparator 




A 


02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity meter 




3 


29105 


Copper-Dlss 


AA-Solvenc Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


09105 


Fluorlde-DlBs 


Specific Ion Electrode 


A 


26014 


Iron-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


82103 


Lead-Olss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


03102 


Llthlum-Dlss 


Flame Photometry 




A 


12102 


Magne'sluo-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


25104 


Manganese-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


80111 


Mercury-Dlss 


Flameless AA 




A 


42102 


Molybdenun-Dlss 


AA-Solvent extract 
acetate) 


(N-Butyl 


A 


28102 


Nlckel-Dlss 


AA-Solvent extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


07110 


Nltrate-N 


Colourlmetry 




A 


10301 


pH 


Electrometrlc 




3 


19103 


Potasslun-Dlss 


Flame Photometry 




A 


34105 


SelenluB-Dlss 


Hydride generation 




A 


14102 


Sllica-Dlss 


Colourlmetry 




A 


11 103 


Sodlun-Dlss 


Flame Photometry 




A 


38101 


Strondum-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




3 


16306 


Sulphate-Dlss 


Colourlmetry 




3 


10451 


TDS 


Gravimetric 




3 


92111 


Uranluo-Olss 


Fluorometry 




3 


23104 


Vanadlum-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


97025 


Water Level 






A 


30105 


Zlnc-Olss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 



No zinc or Iron for piezometers C533 or C534 
* Computer Storage and Retrieval System - Saskatchewan Environment 
Symbols: AA - atomic absorption. A - Annually. 3 - Three times per year 

AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK); sample acidified and extracted with Methyl 
Isobutyl Ketone 



- 12 



R.27 



R26 



SCALE 
900 lOOC Mttrtt 




GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 



13 



GROUND WATER PIKZOHKTERS TO MONITOR 

POTENTIAL DRAVfDOWN DUE TO COAL 

SBAH DKWATBRING 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation 
Measurement Frequency: Quarterly 



SPC 
Piezometer No. 


Station 
Number 


Location 


Sampling 
Elevation (m) 


52 


52 


NW14-1-27W3 


738.43 


506 


506A 


SW4-1-27W3 


748.27 


507 


507 


SW6-1-26W3 


725.27 


509 


509 


NW11-1-27W3 


725.82 


510 


510 


NWl-1 28W3 


769.34 



Perforation Zone 
(depth in metres) 

43 - 49 (in coal) 

81 - 82 (in coal) 

34 - 35 (in coal) 

76 - 77 (in coal) 

28 - 29 (in layered 
coal and clay) 



- 14 - 



r 




GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



- 15 - 



GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA 

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



Frequency of Measurement 

All piezometer levels 
are measured quarterly 





SPC 


Station 


Piezometer No. 


la 


C716 


lb 


C717 


Ic 


C711 


2ai 


C712A 


2a2 


C712B 


2a3 


C712C 


2 34 


C712D 


2b 


C718 


2c 


€719 


3a 


C713 


3b 


C720 


3c 


C721 


6aj 


C763A 


6a2 


C763B 


633 


C763C 


6a4 


C763D 


7ai 


C729A 


7a2 


C729B 


7a3 


C729C 


7a4. 


C729D 


C534 


C534 


8ai 


C730A 


8a2 


C730B 


8a3 


C730C 


834 


C730D 


8bi 


C727A 


8b2 


C727B 


8b3 


C727C 


Bci 


C726A 


8c2 


C726B 


8c3 


C726C 


8c4 


C726D 


8d 


€748 


9ai 


€764A 


9a2 


€764B 


9a3 


C764C 


9a4 


C764D 


9bi 


€728A 


9b2 


C728B 


9b3 


C728C 


9b4 


€728D 



- 16 - 



R. 27 



r.26 




POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION ASH LAGOON MONITORING STUDY 

PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES 
SCHEDULE "A" PIEZOMETERS IN TILL 



- 17 - 



GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA AND 
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AREA 



SCHEDULE B - PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



Station 
Immediate Ash Lagoon Area 



SPC 
Piezometer No. 



1 




C731 


6a 




C763E 


6b 




C765A 


C529 




C529 


0530 




C530 


C532 




C532 


C533 




C533 


C538 




C538 


8 




C730E 


9 




C728E 


West of Ash Lagoon 


Area 





Frequency of Measurement 

All piezometers are 
monitored quarterly 



11 
14 
16 



C743 
C740 
C756 



South of Ash Lagoon Area 

C525 

C526 

C527 

C539 

C540 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 



0525 
C526 
€527 
0539 
C540 
C741 
C735 
C736 
C742 
€733 
€732 
€734 



18 - 



R. 27 



R.?6 




POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION ASH LAGOON MONITORING STUDY 

PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES 
SCHEDULE "B" PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL 



- 19 - 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No» on Map 
1 



Location 



Coronach 



Parameters Reporting Frequency 

Sulphur Continuous monitoring with 

Dioxide hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 



METHODS 



Sulphur Dioxide 



Total Suspended 
Particulates 



Total Suspended 24 hour samples on a 6 
Particulates day cycle. 



Saskatchewan Environment 
Colourimetric Titration 

Saskatchewan Environment 
High Volume Method 



- 20 - 




L fee NO 

AHSIENT *m OUALITT MONITORING 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 



- 21 - 



SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No. on Map Station Location Parameters Sampling Frequency 

1 At Poplar River Sulphur Dioxide Continuous reported 

Power Plant Nitrogen Dioxide, as Hourly Averages 
Opacity. 



METHODS 

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment 

Ultraviolet Absorption 

Nitrogen Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment 

Chemi luminescence 

Opacity Saskatchewan Environment 

Optical 



- 22 - 



R.27 



R26 



SCALf 
SOO lOOOMtlrtt 




SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 



23 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1985 



UNITED STATES 



- 25 - 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 

Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey 

No. on Map Station Number Station Name 

1 06178000 (11AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary 



26 - 




HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS 



27 



SURPACe WATER QUALITY MONITORIHC 

Station location 
Roponalblc Afancy: U.S. Caologtcat Survey 



No. on 
Map 

1 
2 
3 



uses 

Station 



06178000 
06178500 
06179000 



Station Ha»« 

roplar River at Intcrnatloaal Boundary 
EaaC Poplar River at International Boundary 
Eaat Poplar River near Scobey 



PARAMETERS 



WATSTORE' 




Saa 
Analytical 


Code 


Paraneter 
Alkalinity-field 


aethod No. 


OOAIO 


Elect. Titration 


90410 


Alkalinity-lab 


Elect. Titration 


01106 


Aluainuat-diai 


AA 


00610 


AMK>nla-tot 


Coloriaatrlc 


0062} 


AoaMnlat-Org H-tot 


Colorlaatrlc 


01000 


Aricnic-diaa 


AA, hydride 


01002 


Araenic-tot 


AA, hydride 


01010 


Bcrylliua-dies 


AA 


01012 


l«rylUua-tot/rac 


AA-Paraul(ata 


01020 


Boron-diea 


Colorlaatrlc 


0102} 


Cadaiua-diet 


AA 


01027 


CadaiuB-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfatc 


0091} 


CalciuB 


AA 


00680 


Carbon-tot Org 


Wet Oxidation 


00940 


Chlorlde-diia 


Ion chroaatography 


01030 


ChroaluB-diea 


AA 


01034 


Chroaiua-tot/rec 


AA-paraulfata 


00080 


Color 


Blectroaetric, viiual 


0009S 


Conductivity 


Wheatatone Bridge 


01040 


Coppcr-diae 


AA 


01042 


Copper-tot/rec 


AA-perauUate 


00061 


Diicharge-inat 


Direct aeaaur. 


009J0 


Pluoride 


Blectroaetric 


01046 


Iron-dita 


AA 


0104S 


Iron-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


01049 


Lead-disa 


AA 


01051 


Lead-tot/rec 


AA-periulfate 


00925 


Hagneiiua-diaa 


AA 


01056 


Manganeae-diae 


AA 


01055 


Kanganete-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


01065 


Nickel-di.. 


AA 


01067 


Nickel tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


00615 


Nitrite-tot 


lon-chroaatography 


00630 


Nitrata^Nltrite-tot 


Coloriaatrlc 


00300 


Oxygen-diat 


Winkler/aeter 


70507 


Phoa, Ortho-tot 


Coloriaatrlc 


00400 


pU 


Elactroaetric 


00665 


Phophoroua-tot 


Coloriaetric 


00935 


PotaiiiuB-diaa 


AA 


00931 


SAR 


Calculated 


80154 


Sedlaent-conc. 


Filtration-gravlaetric 


80155 


Sediaant-load 


Calculated 


01145 


Seleniua-diee 


AA, hydride 


01147 


Selcniua tot/rec 


AA, hydride 


00955 


Silica 


Coloriaetric 


00930 


Sodiua 


-AA 


00945 


Sulfate-diaa 


Coloriaetric 


70301 


Total Diteolvad Solida 


Calculated 


00010 


Teap Water 


Toluene 


00020 


Teap Air 


Toluene 


00076 


Turbidity 


Nepheloaetric 


80020 


Uraniua-diaa 


Fluoriaetric 


01090 


Zinc-dill 


AA 


01092 


Zinc-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 



Saapling Frequency 



SA SA SA 



*Coaputer itorage and retrieval lyitea - USCS 



Syaboli 



C-continuoul; D-dailyi H-aonthly; HC-aonthly coapoiite; A-annually 
•t high flow; SA-iemi-annually at low and high flow; AA-atoaic 
abiorption; tot-total; rec-recoverable ; diii-diiiolved 



- 28 - 




SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS 



29 - 



CROUHD WATER QUALITY HOMtTomNC 

Station Location* 

Responsible Agency: Montane Bureau of Nines and CcoLofy 







Total 


Casing 


Perforation 


Map 


Wall 


Dapth 


Oiaaatar 




Zona 


Muabar 


Location 


(>) 


(c.) 


A4ul(*r 


(■) 


2 


37N47C17DABB 


79 


3.8 PVC 


Hart Coal 


76-79 


3 


37N47E23AADD 


36 


3.8 PVC 


Hart Coal 


33-36 


4 


37N4SC23BBCC 


104 


3.8 FVC 


Po« Hi I la- 
Hall Creak 


102-104 


5 


37N47E1ABBB1 


16 


10.2 FVC 


Alluviua 


10-lS 


6 


37N47E1ABBB2 


2S 


10.2 rvc 


Hart Coal 


19-2S 


7 


37N47E12BBBB 


4} 


10.2 FVC 


Hart Coal 


39-45 


6 


37H47ei3AADD 


14 


10.2 PVC 


Alluviua 


10-13 


9 


37N47E13ADAA0I 


43 












63 


10.2 PVC 


Port Union 


16-62 


10 


37N48ESBABB 


13 


10.2 PVC 


Alluvlua-Cosl 7-13 


It 


37H4SESAAAA 


67 


IS. 2 STEEL 


Pos HI I It- 
Hal I Craak 


6J-67 


12 


37M47E Sec 11 DDDD 


26 


S.08 


Hart Coal 


15-18 


13 


37M47E Sec 3 CCCC 


62. S 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


$6-59 


14 


37M47E Sac 4 BBAB 


82.6 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


75-78 


IJ 


37N47E Sac 3 BBAA 


89 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


83-86 


16 


37H46E Sec 3 ABAB 


26 


10.2 




24-25 


17 


37M47E Sac 16 DDDD 


68 


10.6 


Hart Coal 


80-83 


18 


37II46E Sac 1 BBBA 


90 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


80-82 


19 


37M47E Sac IS AAAB 


59 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


54-56 


20 


37M47E Sac 24 CCCC 


22 


S.08 




19-22 


21 


37N47E Sec 6 DBAA 


106 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


100-103 


22 


37H47E Sac 9 CBCC 


21 


10.2 




18-21 





Parameters 






Storet* 




Analytical 




Code 


Paranecer 
Blcarbonaces 


Method 




00440 


Electrometrlc 








Titration 




01020 


Boron-dlss 


Golsslon Plasma 
ICP 




00919 


Calclun 


Emission Plasma 




00445 


Carbonate* 


Electrometrlc 
Titration 




00940 


Chloride 


Ion Chromatography 


0009$ 


Conductivity 


Uheatatone Brdg 




01040 


Copper-dlif 


Emlaalon Plasma, 
ICP 




00950 


Fluoride 


Ion Chromatography 


01046 


Iron-dlas 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01049 


Lead-dlaa 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01130 


Llthlum-dlaa 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


00925 


Magnet lua 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01056 


Hanganese-dlsg 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01060 


MoLybdenua 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


00630 


Nitrate 


Ion Chromatography 


00400 


PH 


Electrometrlc 




00935 


Potassium 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01145 


Selenlun-dlss 


AA 




00955 


Silica 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


00930 


Sodium 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


01080 


Strontlum-dlss 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


00445 


Sulphate 


Ion Chromatography 


22703 


UranluB 


Fusion Flurometrlc 


00190 


Zlnc-dlst 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 


70301 


TDS 


Calculated 





Sampling Frequency 
Station No. 

Sample collection 
Is semi-annually 
for all locations 
identified above. 

The analytical method 
deacriptions are thoaa 
of the Montana Bureau 
of Mines and Geology 
Laboratory where the 
samples are analyzed. 



'Computer storage and retrieval system - United States Geological Survey 
Symbols: AA-Atomlc Absorption; ICP-Inductlvely Coupled Plasma Unit 



- 30 - 




31 - 



GROUND WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR 



POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO 



COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 



No. on Map Sampling 

2 to 22 Determine water levels 

quarterly 



32 - 




GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITER POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



- 33 - 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 

Responsible Agency: State of Montana 

Air Quality Bureau 



No. on Map 
1 



Location 

International 
Boundary 



Hanrahan 



3 


Ft. Peck 




Reservation 


4 


Scobey - 




Richardson 


5 


Microwave Tower 


6 


Flaxville 


7 


TV Tower Hill 


8 


Sc obey-Down town 


9 


Four Buttes 


METHODS 





Parameters 

Sulfur dioxide 
Suspended particulates 
Fine particulates 
Sulfation rate 

Sulfur dioxide 
Suspended particulates 
Fine particulates 
Wind speed 
Wind direction 
Temperature 
Sulfation rate 

Sulfur dioxide 
Suspended particulates 

Suspended particulates 
Sulfation rate 

Sulfation rate 

Sulfation rate 

Sulfation rate 

Sulfation rate 

Sulfation rate 



Sampling Frequency 
and Reporting 

Hourly averages 
24-hour averages 
24-hour averages 
Monthly averages 

Hourly averages 
24-hour averages 
24-hour averages 
Hourly averages 
Hourly averages 
Hourly averages 
Monthly 

Hourly averages 
24-hour averages 

24-hour averages 
Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 



Sulfur Dioxide EPA Equivalent Method EQSA-0276-009 

Total Suspended EPA Reference Method CFR Title 40 Part 50, Appendix B 
(State of Montana QA Manual Section 1.1.10 and 1.2.10) 
24-hour sample once/6 days 

Sulfation Rate Methods of Air Sampling and Analysis, 2nd Edition, 

"Tentative Method of Analysis of the Sulfation Rate of 
the Atmosphere (Lead Dioxide Plate Method - Turbidimetric 
Analysis), p. 691. 



34 




AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 



ANNEX 3 



METRIC CONVERSIONS 



1 - 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 

ac ■ 4,047 m2 » 0.4047 ha 

ac-ft - 1,233.5 m^ - 1.2335 dam^ 

C « 1.8 F' 

cm = 0.3937 in. 

CTn2 - 0.155 in2 

dam^ " 1,000 m^ - 0.8107 ac-ft 

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10"\^ 

ha « 10,000 m2 = 2.471 ac 

hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft 

hm^ = 1 X 10^ m^ 

I.gpm - 0.0758 L/g 

in " 2.54 cm 

kg = 2.20462 lb * 1.1 x 10"^ tons 

km - 0.62137 miles 

km2 = 0.3861 mi2 

L - 0.3532 ft3 = 0.21997 I. gal » 0.26420 U.S. gal 

L/a = 0.035 cfs » 13.193 I.gpm * 15.848 U.S. gpm 

m » 3.2808 ft 

m^ - 10.7636 ft^^ 

m^ - 1,000 L - 35.3144 ft^ - 219.97 I. gal " 264.2 U.S. gal 

m^/s - 35.314 cfs 

nm - 0.00328 ft 

tonne * 1,000 kg - 1.1023 ton (short) 

U.S. gpm " 0.0631 L/s 

For Air Samples 

ppm ■ 100 pphm = 1000 X (Molecular Weight of 8ubstance/24.45) mg/m^ 

- 2 - 






^ -*■',■ ■-,.