S Poplar Biver

333.91 Bilateral

M7fiprar Monitoring

Annual report of

the jovernoients of

Canadat United

States*

l<51'&^ 1986 ANNUAL REPORT

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION FEB : 1990

*° *^® MONTANA SiAlL 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 1986

June. 1987
Montana Stale Ubrary

3 0864 1004 5788 9
POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

REPORT TO GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

FOR

CALENDAR YEAR 1986

JUNE, 1987

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 1986, 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 1986 Technical Monitoring

Schedule. The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. Herein is the report of activities of 1986 and the proposed monitoring schedule for 1987.

The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project conditions

and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific parameter values

that were developed by the International Joint Commission under the 1977 Reference from Canada and the United States. References are made to State,

Provincial or Federal standards or objectives where these are relevant. After

examination and evaluation of the monitoring information for 1986, the Committee finds that the measured conditions are within the norms of the accepted objectives.

During 1986, monitoring continued with only minor changes in site locations

and schedules from 1985 . Two new mining areas to the east and north of Cookson Reservoir are being assessed for future development. The impact statement is currently under review within the Saskatchewan Government and

will be available to the Committee in the summer of 1987. Upon review of the report, the Committee may recommend modifications to the Technical Monitoring

Schedules.

On March 12, 1987, the Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement was extended by the governments for a period of four years under the provision of Article 5, Terms

of the Arrangement.

Yours sincerely.

J. (R. Knapton ' Chairman, United States Section p/^^.G. W. Howard

Chairman, Canadian Section

lear

United States Section

W. D. Gummer

Member, Canadian Section
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 3

1986 HIGHLIGHTS 7 INTRODUCTION 9 POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 12 Operation 12 Construction ..... 13 Mining 14

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 16 Streamflow 16 Reservoir Storage 17 Apportionment 18 Minimum Flows 18 On-Demand Release 20

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 21 East Poplar River 21 Total Dissolved Solids 22 Boron 22 Other Water Quality Characteristics 26 Glrard Creek and Cookson Reservoir 26 Quality Control 28 GROUND WATER QUANTITY 33 Saskatchewan 33 Coal Mine Dewatering 33 Water Levels 34 Poplar River Mine Relocation 34 Montana 36

GROUND WATER QUALITY 38 Saskatchewan 38 Water Quality in the Tills 38 Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 41 Montana 42

ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 45 AIR QUALITY 48 Saskatchewan 48 Montana 51
5 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

Table 1 - 1986 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2 12

2 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1986 17

3 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985,

Corrected 17

4 - Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions,

1986 Sampling Program, East Poplar River

at the International Boundary 27

5 - Selected Analytical Results of Quality Control

Split Samples, June 8, 1986 30

6 - Analytical Results of Water Quality Standards Exchanged . 31

7 - 1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering

Activities 33

8 - SPC-PRPS Ash System, 1986 Calculated Seepage Rates ... A5

9 - Summary of 1986 Montana Air Quality Monitoring Results . 52

Figure 1 - Poplar River Mine—Location Map 15

2 - Discharge during 1986 Compared with Median Discharge

for 1951-80 for the Poplar River at International

Boundary 16

3 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River

at the International Boundary and Recommended

Minimum Flow 19

4 - East Poplar River at International Boundary:

(a) TDS Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration 23

(b) TDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration 23

5 - East Poplar River at International Boundary: Instantaneous and Regression-Generated TDS and Boron Concentrations 1975-86 24
6 TABLES OF CONTENTS (continued)

Page

Figure 6 - East Poplar River at International Boundary:

(a) Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration 25

(b) Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration 25

7 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1986 35

8 - Water Levels of Selected Wells in the United States ... 37

9 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations: East Poplar

River Monitoring Piezometers 39

10 - Specific Conductance Measurements in Selected Wells

within the United States 43

11 - Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water Treatment Plant 50 Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Canada-United States

2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1987, CanadaUnited States

3 - Reports Reviewed during 1986 by the Poplar River

Bilateral Monitoring Committee

4 - Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River

Basin by the International Souris-Red Rivers

Engineering Board, Poplar River Task. Force (1976)

5 - Metric Conversions
- 7 -

1986 HIGHLIGHTS

In 1986 the power station operated for the third full year. The two 300 megawatt coal-fired units generated 3,968,400 gross megawatt

hours of electricity, down 13 percent from 1985. Because the number

of plant startups decreased, the consumption of oil decreased 1,897 tonnes or 27 percent from 1985.

Monitoring Information collected in both Canada and the United States was exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements

identified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1985 annual report. An exception was continuous air quality monitoring in Montana where there was an interruption because of inadequate funding and a relocation of the primary monitoring site.

The United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar River

throughout the year. However, during 58 days of the summer minimum

flow did not meet the 0.085 cubic meter per second recommended by the International Joint Commission. Efforts will be made in 1987 to remedy the operational and Information exchange problems that resulted

In these minimum flow requirements not being met.

The concentrations of boron and total dissolved solids on the East Poplar River were below the long-term and short-term objectives

recommended to Government by the International Joint Commission.

There were no exceedances of other water quality objectives recom- mended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the International Joint Commission. Continued efforts at quality control

showed improved water quality data comparability between Canadian

and United States laboratories.
- 8 -

The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewatering

remained about the same distance north of the International Boundary

and total pumpage decreased 29 percent.

The total estimate of seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing

ponds was 0.746 litre per second, well below the seepage limits

proposed by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate front was calculated to have advanced 6.11 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 standards.
- 9 -

INTRODUCTION

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of 5 years 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. On March 12, 1987 the Arrangement was extended by the Governments for an additional period of 4 years.

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 1986, the members and ex-officio members of the Committee were:

Mr. J. R. Knapton

U.S. Geological Survey

Chairman, United States Section

Mr. R. E. Driear Governor's Office

Member, United States Section

Mr. C. W. Tande

Daniels County Commissioner

Ex-Officio Member, Montana

Mr. G. W. Howard

Saskatchewan Environment and

Public Safety

Acting Chairman, Canadian Section

Mr. W. D. Gummer Environment Canada

Member, Canadian Section

Mr. J. R. Totton

Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte Ex-Officio Member, Saskatchewan
- 10 -

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 exchange of monitoring information was initiated with the first quarter

of 1981, and is an expansion of the informal quarterly information

exchange program initiated between Canada and the United States in

1976. Special reports dealing with aspects of monitoring and monitoring results requested by the Committee are sometimes published.

Any such reports are reviewed annually by the Committee. Reports

reviewed by the Committee during 1986 are identified in Annex 3. 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 1986

being the sixth report in the series. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes

in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention.
- 11 -

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 modifications in sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical tech- niques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules listed 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.
- 12 -

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION

Operation

The two units were operated for the full reporting period. The 1986 operating statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1:

Table 1. 1986 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2

Unit 1 Unit 2

7 751
- 13 -

the ash lagoons. The water overflowed the control structure resulting

in a 6,119 m^ maximum discharge to Cookson Reservoir. Analyses of the reservoir waters indicated rapid and complete mixing as no change in water quality was evident. Cleanup measures were implemented. Subsequent thickness testing of the ash lines indicated that the bottoms

of the lines were wearing as a result of erosion. The ash lines

between the plant and the ash lagoons have since been rotated 180 degrees to extend life and prevent spills.

On October 17, 1986, a seam on a buried section of the recirculation

line failed, spilling approximately 2,000 m^ of ash recirculation water into the same area as the previous spill. The spill was con- tained upstream of the control structure. No recirculation water

entered the reservoir and cleanup measures were implemented. Routine water quality monitoring of the runoff waters collected by the control structure is an ongoing practice prior to their release.

Construction

Seven concrete and steel V-notched weirs were constructed in surface

runoff channels downstream of the Morrison Dam and spillway. The

weirs, completed in June 1986, replaced old plywood and earth structures which had deteriorated beyond use. The weir flows are routinely measured and recorded to monitor seepages from Morrison

Dam.

The Ash Lagoon No. 3 North water return structure was completed in July 1986. The concrete and wooden stoplogged structure will permit

the controlled flow of clear waters from Ash Lagoon No. 3 North to the Polishing Pond.
- 14 -

Mining

Coal mining continued to the west of Glrard Creek and will move in a northwesterly direction until 1989 or later. Prairie Coal Limited

has completed an environmental assessment of two new mining areas to the east and north of Cookson Reservoir (Figure 1). The Impact statement addressed such things as ground water, surface water and

reclamation. The impact statement is currently under review within

Government and will be made public in Saskatchewan and Montana, with

review comments, in the summer of 1987.
- 15 -
- 16 -

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY

Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was near normal during 1986,

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 17,100 cubic deca- metres (dam^), or 105 percent of the long-term average. A comparison

of the flows of 1986 with those of the 1951-80 median flow is shown

in Figure 2.

QZ

o

£^

C/)

a.

2

O

m

=)u

Ulu

a:<

X

o

jna

0.1 r

0.01 r

0.001MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT

Figure 2. —Discharge during 1986 Compared with Median Discharge for

1951-80 for the Poplar River at International Boundary

The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary for 1986 was 9,450 dam^, or 77 percent of the mean annual

flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975.
- 17 -

Reservoir Storage

Cookson Reservoir was near the full-supply level throughout the year, with contents increasing from 37,600 dam^ on January 1 to a maximum of 45,600 dam^ on March 3. Elevations and contents for

selected dates are given in Table 2.

Table 2. Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1986

Elevation Contents

Date (1986) (metres) (cubic decametres)

January 1 752.222 37 600 March 3 753.278 45 600 December 31 752.448 39 200

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43 400

Storage increased during the year by 1,600 dam^ owing to above normal

precipitation in the fall and base flows in Girard Creek which are maintained by dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine. These

flows assisted in offsetting the evaporative losses and releases

from the reservoir.

Reservoir storage statistics (contents) figures given in the 1985

annual report were incorrect. The correct statistics are given in

Table 3.

Table 3. Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985 (Corrected)

Elevation Contents

Date (1985) (metres) (cubic decametres)

January 1 752.149 37 000 April 19 752.805 41 900 December 31 752.222 37 600

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43 400
- 18 -

Apportionment

In 1976 the International Sourls-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through

its Poplar River Task Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and the United States regarding an apportionment of waters of the Poplar River Basin.

Although not officially adopted by the two countries, the Poplar

River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has ascribed to the Apportionment

Recommendation in each of its annual reports. Annex 4 contains the Apportionment Recommendation.

Minimum Flows

The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International

Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1986 was 16,100 dam^. For the purposes 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 0.085 cubic metre per second (m-'/s) from June 1 to August 31, 1986 and 0.057 m^/s from September 1, 1986 to May 31, 1987 on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. The minimum

flow of 0.028 m^/s for the first 5 months of 1986 had previously

been determined on the basis of the March 1 to May 31, 1985 Poplar

River flow volume.
19

The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boun- dary inadvertently fell below the recommended minimum of 0.085 m-^/s on several days. One reason for the shortage was that the Water

Survey of Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey have been experiencing

problems with developing an accurate low-flow rating at the hydrometric station. The Water Survey of Canada resealed the weir structure in August 1986 to eliminate a leakage problem and is planning

to improve the metering section in 1987 and, subsequently, make

additional measurements to aid in rating definition. The Saskatchewan Water Corporation has been asked to review operating procedures

towards avoiding similar occurrences in the future. Communication

and data exchange procedures between various agencies will also be improved during 1987.

A hydrograph of flow in the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the IJC is shown in Figure 3.

.057 m3/( Apporilonmant rscommandatlon for mintmum flow

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

1986

Figure 3. Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow.
- 20 -

On-Demand Release

Based on the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the United

States Is entitled to an on-demand volume of 1,230 dam^ at any time

from June 1, 1986 to May 31, 1987. As of December 31, 1986 Montana

had not requested this release. The on-demand volume entitlement for

1985 of 617 dam^ was requested on April 7, 1986, to be delivered

May 1-31. A volume of 789 dam^ was delivered during this period.
- 21 -

SURFACE WATER QUALITY

East Poplar River

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

Foi the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted

concentrations 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 International Boundary. For the March to October period, the 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 East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

Comparison of the East Poplar River water quality with the proposed

short-term objectives for total dissolved solids (TDS) and boron is tested by calculating the 3-month (90-day) moving flow-weighted

concentration for each, advancing one month at a time while dropping

the first month of the three-month period. Prior to 1982, this

comparison was based 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 calculation of TDS and boron

are presented.

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the approach that, for the purposes of comparison with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the TDS and boron data are best plotted

graphically as a 5-year flow-weighted moving average which is

advanced 1 month at a time.
- 22 -

Each point represents the flow-weighted concentration for a 5-year

period, with 2 1/2 years on either side of the plotted point. It should be emphasized that the data base is comprised of all data

collected during the 12 months of all years.

Total Dissolved Solids

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L. A plot of the 3-month moving flow-weighted concentration is shown in Figure 4a. No exceedences of this objective have been observed over the 1975-85

period of record. The relationship between TDS and specific conductance generated from the data collected to the end of 1986 is as follows:

TDS = [0.640 X specific conductance] + 10.533 (R^ = 0.87)

The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS are shown in Figure 4b. TDS concentrations calculated for the 5-year

periods ending in 1986 remained below the proposed long-term objective

of 1,000 mg/L. Analyzed TDS concentrations during 1986 ranged from

725 mg/L (March 7) to 1,223 mg/L (November 13). Analyzed TDS and regression-generated TDS for the period of record are presented in

Figure 5.

Boron

During 1986, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary varied from 0.85 mg/L (March 7) to 2.65 mg/L

(November 13). The moving 3-month flow-weighted boron concentrations

for the period of record are shown in Figure 6a. The short-term

objective of 3.5 mg/L boron has not been exceeded in the period

1975-86. The moving 5-year flow-weighted concentrations are presented

in Figure 6b. As with TDS, the 5-year weighted concentrations

remained well below the proposed long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L

boron.
(a)

- 23 - TD8 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Conoentration

IBOOx

ISOO Short-Term Objective (1600 mo/O

from sample analyses

from regression

isooj (b) jDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration

UOO'

iioo-f1000

B00--

800--

700-

-

600-

Long-Term Objective (1000 mg/L)

Figure 4. East Poplar River at International Boundary:

(a) TDS Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration,

(b) TDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration.
- 24 -

Regression Generated TDS and Analyzed TDS

1300

laoo--

1100--

10OO--

600--

B00--

00--

J00-- H > 1 1 1- -\ . 1 1 ( 1 1 1 1 1 h

197S 1B76 1977 1978 1979 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 19 Regression Generated TDS Analyzed TDS

Regression Generated Boron and Analyzed Boron

Regression Generated Data Analyzed Results Figure 5. East Poplar River at International Boundary: Instantaneous and Regression-Generated TDS

and Boron Concentrations 1975-86.
- 25 -

(a) Boron-Three Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration

from sample analyses

from regression

4.0--

S.B--

S.S--

S.4--

s.as.oS.8-

2.S2.4-

a.a--

2.0---

g

'

(b) Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration

Long-Term Objective (2.6 mg/L)

Figure 6. East Poplar River at International Boundary:

(a) Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration,

(b) Boron Flve-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration.
- 26 -

The relationship between boron and specific conductance at the sampling location during 1975-86 may be described by the equation:

Boron = [0.00145 x specific conductance] - 0.268 (r2 = 0.73)

Analyzed and regression generated boron concentrations for the period

of record are presented in Figure 5.

Other Water Quality Characteristics

Table 4 contains the multi-purpose water quality objectives recom- mended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the

IJC. No exceedences of the multi-purpose objectives occurred in

1986.

Girard Creek and Cookson Reservoir

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety reported water quality at four locations in the Poplar River Basin during 1986: Girard Creek

south of Coronach, Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36, Cookson Reservoir

near Morrison Dam, and East Poplar River just below Morrison Dam. These sites were sampled in February, May, August and November.

A review of the data from these sites showed boron concentrations

varied from 0.72 to 1.75 mg/L, and TDS from 460 to 950 mg/L during

1986. All other variables were also present at concentrations within

the recommended water quality objectives for the East Poplar River

(Table 4).
- 27 -

Table 4 Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions,

1986 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary

(units In mg/L except as otherwise noted)
- 28 -

Personnel from Environment Canada and Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety undertook a field investigation on July 7, 1986 of the Girard Creek and East Poplar River water quantity and quality monitoring sites located above Cookson Reservoir. On the basis of this

investigation, the water quality station on Girard Creek was relocated

downstream to a point between Coronach and Cookson Reservoirs to provide a better estimate of the quality of water entering the reservoir. Although it was considered desirable to have the quantity

and quality stations co-located, the need could not justify the high

cost of relocating the Girard Creek hydrometric station from its current location above Coronach Reservoir.

It was noted that flow in the East Poplar River at the hydrometric

station 15 km above Cookson Reservoir is typically near zero with the exception of a 3- to 4-week period during the spring. Water quality

monitoring samples will not normally be collected at this hydrometric

station, but will continue to be collected quarterly in the upper end of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36.

Quality Control

Quality control sampling was conducted at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary on July 8, 1986. Sets of triplicate

samples were collected and submitted to eight Canadian and United

States laboratories for analyses. In addition, reference water

samples were exchanged and submitted to the respective Federal

laboratories and the Saskatchewan Research Council.
- 29 -

A review of the data from the triplicate sample splits shows the United States and Canadian results to be similar for most of the water quality variables. Results reported by the participating

laboratories are subject to variability owing to differing analytical

techniques. Following are areas where discrepancies were present:

specific conductance Environment Canada measurements (laboratory

and field) were about 5 percent higher than

the mean for all laboratories

phosphorous (ortho)

chloride

SiO'

TDS

metals

boron

Apparent disagreement between U.S. Geological

Survey and Saskatchewan results

Saskatchewan Provincial Health Laboratory

concentrations higher than other laboratories

Saskatchewan Research Council reports silica

results as Si while other labs report silica

as Si02

Environment Canada and U.S. Geological Survey

results differ by about two percent. Sas- katchewan Research Council results non- comparable (analyses done gravimetrically)

Substantial differences between Saskatchewan

Research Council and other participating laboratories for nickel, copper, vanadium

Results generally comparable; Environment

Canada and U.S. Geological Survey results

differ by about 8 percent

Table 5 lists the analytical results of the above measurements made

by the laboratories.

The results of analyses of the United States standard reference

sample (Table 6) showed good agreement between laboratories for most

variables. The Saskatchewan Research Council results for sulphate,

chloride, and TDS varied from those reported by the other laboratories. Boron results from Environment Canada were not reported due

to interference. Environment Canada pH (laboratory) was significantly above the multi-laboratory mean.
- 30 -

Table 5 Selected Analytical Results of Quality Control Split Samples, June 8, 1986

EC: Environment Canada Laboratories (Burlington and Saskatoon)

USGS: U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory

MINES: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

HEALTH: Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences

SASK: Saskatchewan Provincial Health Laboratory and Saskatchewan

Research Council

SPC: Saskatchewan Power (analyses performed by Chemex Laboratories)

Specific Specific Chlor- conductance conductance P Ortho ride

Lab/ Time (field) (lab) mg/L mg/L

Si02

mg/L

TDS mg/L

EC-1130

EC-1145

EC-1200

USGS-1130

USGS-1145

USGS-1200

MINES-1200

HEALTH- 1200 SASK- 1130 SASK- 1145 SASK-1200

SPC-1200

1373

1320

1320
- 31 -

Table 6 Analytical Results of Water Quality Standards Exchanged
- 32 -

Analyses of the Canada reference standard (Table 6) again showed

good agreement, with the exception of Saskatchewan Research Council

results for chloride and TDS, and the U.S. Geological Survey result

for fluoride.

The results of the quality control work conducted in 1986 show

improved data comparability between Environment Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey over similar work done in 1985. It was noted in

the 1985 Annual Report that Environment Canada monthly monitoring

results for boron in the East Poplar River tended to be consistently

lower than those reported by the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory.

This trend continued through the first quarter of 1986. Improved

compatability between the two laboratories was apparent in the second

quarter 1986 boron results. During the third and fourth quarters,

this trend showed a reversal, with the U.S. Geological Survey boron

concentrations being slightly less than those of Environment Canada.

It should be understood, however, that monthly samples collected by the two agencies are from different water, often collected several

days apart.
- 33 -

GROUND WATER QUANTITY

Saskatchewan

Coal Mine Dewaterlng

Owing to coal mine dewatering activities, a total of 5,032 dam^ (4,080

acre-feet) of ground water was discharged during 1986. This amounts

to 29 percent less pumpage than in the previous year. A summary of the monthly pumpages from all the coal dewatering wells is shown in

Table 7.

Table 7 1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities

Pumpages

Month Total (dam^) Rate (L/s)

January

February

March

April

May

June July

August

September

October

November

December

524 479

536

462

346 456

481 420

323

332

305

368

196 198 200

178

129 176

180

157 124 124

118

137 TOTAL 5 032 dam^

(4 080 acre-feet)

The ground water was discharged at 16 locations during 1986. Fourteen

discharges were to Girard Creek, one was directly into Cookson Reservoir and one was into a tributary of Goose Creek. No water from

this last discharge reached the main stem of Goose Creek.
- 34 -

Water Levels

Two piezometrlc pressure maps, dated June and December 1986, were

prepared by Prairie Coal Ltd.^ Figure 7 was compiled from the December map and shows the cone of depression formed by the pressure

contours in the Hart coal seam. The southern extent of the cone of depression at the end of 1986 is unchanged from its position in the previous year. The position of the 1-metre contour therefore remains

at 1.8 kilometres north of the International Boundary.

Poplar River Mine Relocation

Prairie Coal Ltd. plans to relocate mining activity from the existing

West Block to the proposed South Block and subsequently to the proposed

North Block shown in Figure 1. Preliminary studies for the relocation

have been concluded and the Environmental Impact Assessment is under

review by provincial agencies. The required land purchases are 95 percent complete and detailed surveys and design of the rail line

and loadout facilities are in progress. Movement of the dragline to the South Block is scheduled for the summer of 1989.

Effective December 1, 1984, ownership and operation of the Poplar

River Mine were transferred from the Saskatchewan Power Corporation

to Prairie Coal Ltd.
- 35 -

Contour intervals are in metres of pressure head.

_R

G

E 281 RGE 27 SASKATCHEWAN

W3M MONTANA

RGE 271 RGE 2^

W3M

Figure 7. Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1986.
- 36 -

Montana

Locations of the Montana monitoring wells are shown in the Technical

Monitoring Schedules.

Figure 8 depicts the water level changes since the inception of the monitoring program in wells 6, 7, and 10 which are completed

respectively in Hart Coal, Hart Coal, and both Hart Coal and alluvium.

Recorded water level fluctuations in the three wells are less than

2 feet (0.6 m) over the period of record. The minor fluctuations

are mainly attributed to regional climatic conditions rather than an impact resulting from the mining of coal to supply the Coronach

Generating Facility. Considering the variability of annual precipitation for the period 1979 through 1986 [maximum 18.23 inches (463 mm),

minimum 8.89 inches (226 mm); NCAA data for Scobey, MT] the water

level fluctuations have been fairly minor. Although some fluctuation

has occurred, a trend of changing water level has not been established.

Instead, the monitoring results show minor changes with respect to an apparently constant reference level in the coal aquifer wells.

Water levels from wells 5, 9, and 17, which are completed to varying

depths in alluvium, Fort Union, and alluvium, respectively, are also

presented in Figure 8 for comparison. The shallow alluvial well (5)

and the Fort Union well (9) had water level fluctuations of less

than 2 feet (0.6 m) over the 6 1/2 year period of record. The

recently completed deep alluvial well (17) had a water level decline

of 2.12 feet (0.65 m) between late September and mid-December of 1986. This well is located 3 miles south of the International Border in

a recharge area. The change is believed to represent a slightly

greater than average seasonal variation but further monitoring is necessary to verify this Interpretaton.
- 37 -

Hydrograph

6 - 7 -
- 38 -

GROUND WATER QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ground water sampling continued in 1986 at the locations specified in

the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

Water Quality in the Tills

Waters from the tills are of generally poorer natural quality than

those from the gravels. The ground water quality data for total

dissolved solids, shown in Figure 9, have demonstrated this during

the past 6 years. Higher and more variable TDS concentrations are associated with piezometers completed in till, whereas concentrations

in Empress-completed piezometers have rarely exceeded 1,200 mg/L.

Piezometer C712B, at location 2a just north of the Polishing Pond, was observed to have an increased concentration of uranium in 1984 to mid-1985. This condition generally continued during 1986. With the exception of one sample, taken in October 1985, the readings remained

above 550 Vg/L. Other ions in the piezometer water do not show

patterns that are similar to that of uranium.
39 -

UJ Q) J3 U O (D mODUDCDCDlDUDCDCD'^OJ

mc\jajojc\jc\jaj-^-<-<m «-• -^ uuouuuuoououo

** iUUiiii

3 oJ

en c

•H o Q S

<-l u

CO oj

_JE
- 40 -

At locations 2b (piezometer C718) and 2c (piezometer C719), near the north end of the Polishing Pond, there have been no consistent water quality trends during the period of record. Although these two sites are close to each other, and are both screened in till, there

are large differences in the chemical makeup of their waters. Most notable is the sulphate concentration in C719, which is some 18 times

larger than that in C718. The uranium level in C719 peaked in April

1986 at 460 Ug/L; no long term trend in the uranium values from

that piezometer is apparent.

At location 8a, west of cell No. 1 of the Ash Lagoon, piezometers

C726A and C726C are completed in till. Although there are consistent

differences in the quality of water from these two piezometers, no trends are evident.

At location 9a at the west end of the Pollstilng Pond, piezometer

C728A has remained dry since 1980. Piezometers C728B and C728C show

no consistent trends during the period of record. The uranium concen- trations in both piezometers were fairly stable during 1986. At the end of 1984, an increasing trend in uranium concentration appeared

to be developing in C728C, after showing an increase in the dissolved

constituents. However, the 1985 and 1986 data show that the uranium

levels have stabilized within the range 20 to 40 Ug/L. Piezometer

C728D has remained dry.

Piezometer C534 Is screened in till to the south of the Ash Lagoon.

Ground-water quality is inferior in comparison with locations 8a and

9a. Total dissolved solids concentrations are near 4,500 mg/L.

There is no evidence of long-term trends in water quality.
- 41 -

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels

Figure 9 shows that there are no significant trends in total dissolved

solids in the Empress Gravels. At location 8a, piezometer C726E

showed a decrease in IDS concentration in July 1986, but returned to

a higher level in October of that year.

At location 9a, the water quality in piezometer C728E is similar to that of C726E. Boron values are generally slightly larger, and the uranium concentration is generally less than the detection limit,

with the exception of the 3.0 Ug/L value obtained in October, 1986.

At piezometer C533, south of the Ash Lagoon, the chloride concentrations have stabilized, and no other chemical parameters have

increased consistently. Uranium and boron have remained relatively

stable since the beginning of monitoring in all the Empress-completed

piezometers (0533, C534, C726E, and C728E).

The higher hydraulic conductivity of the Empress Gravels allows a much greater volume of water to flow through them than through the tills. The amount of leakage from the overlying tills is therefore very small compared to the through-flow in the Empress Gravels. Because of this, the dilution effect would be large enough that water quality effects are not expected from the Ash Lagoons or the Polishing Pond. As a consequence, there is no verifiable water quality change in the gravels attributable to seepage from the lagoons.
- 42 -

Montana

Ground water quality during 1986 was essentially unchanged in 19 of the 21 monitoring wells. This condition is believed to be the representative condition for the area being monitored. Figure 10 shows the field specific conductance values for the same wells

discussed in the water level section. These data show considerable

scatter; the scatter is attributed in part to the difficulty in developing wells after installation, in part to differing quantities

of water pumped from the wells prior to measuring the specific

conductance, and in part to some natural variability within the aquifer being sampled. However, data from some wells show so much

variability that the well construction is questioned. The Fort Union well (no. 9) fits into this category. This well is reported

to be open to the formation from 53 to 203 feet (16.2 to 61.9 m)

below the land surface; measured depths Include 49 and 140 feet

(14.9 and 42.7 m) as well as 208 feet (63.4 m) suggesting that the size of slots in the casing may be too large within parts of the unit.

In 1986, wells 4 and 22 had substantial changes in water chemistry.

Well 4, located east of the Poplar River, is reported to be completed

in the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. Figure 10 shows the specific

conductance data from this well. The specific conductance, which

has been averaging 2,540 PS/ cm fell to 1,206 WS/cm in the 1986 sample

(Figure 10). The lower conductance was accompanied by at least a 50 percent decrease in the major constituents sodium, bicarbonate,

chloride, and sulfate. The calcium content in 1986 (13.6 mg/L) is essentially unchanged; however, the strontium content more than tripled to 0.92 mg/L. This indicates that shallow alluvial water or surface runoff has entered the well, and that ion exchange reactions

have occurred to decrease the concentration of alkaline earths in

the water. The dilution, compared with previous samples, is also

supported by the decrease in boron content from a previous average value of 1,760 to 760 Ug/L.
Specific Conductance

Wella So . 6* ond 7»

900 -|
- 44 -

Interestingly, the water level In well 4 was not altered by the dilution in water chemistry. The casing for this well had been

broken at the ground surface and the well is located in a depression.

Hence, we suspect that the dilution was caused by surface water

entering the well.

The 1986 water chemistry sample from well 22 was also distinctly

different from that of the 1985 sample (only two samples are available). This well is reported to be completed in the Flaxville Gravel

and screened from 59 to 68 feet (18.0 to 20.7 m); the specific

conductance decreased from 1,300 to 600 PS/ cm, sodium decreased from

174 to 21.7 mg/L, sulphate decreased from 307 to 25.2 mg/L, boron

decreased from 1,280 to 91 Ug/L, and nitrate increased from 0.16

to 4.65 mg/L. The water level rose about 4 feet (1.2 m).

A casing separation was noted at the "bell" joint slightly below

land surface elevation. These casing problems will be corrected and

a bentonite slurry will be puddled into the annular space around

both casings this year to prevent a future recurrence of this problem.
- 45 -

ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY

The ash lagoon system at the Poplar River Power Station continues to be operated on a closed system basis with no discharges to surface

waters. During 1986, most of the sluiced ash was directed to the north end of Ash Lagoon No. 1. The normal operation has been the use

of Ash Lagoon No. 1, Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the Polishing Pond in series

operation. Water from the Polishing Pond is returned to the plant

for ash sluicing. During 1986, maximum and minimum water depths in Ash Lagoon Nos. 1 and 2 and the Polishing Pond ranged between 5.2 and 5.5, 4.0 and 4.7, and 3.9 and 4.7 m, respectively.

Pending the issuance by Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

of a permit, Saskatchewan Power plans to direct the sluiced ash to Ash Lagoon No. 3N.

Seepage calculations were made in 1986 using the methods developed

by T.A. Prickett, P.E., of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the calculations for Ash Lagoons Nos. 1 and 2 and the Polishing Pond are shown in Table 8.

Table 8. SPC-PRPS Ash System, 1986 Calculated Seepage Rates

Source Rate (L/s)

Polishing Pond 0.250

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.153

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.343

TOTAL SEEPAGE 0.746
- 46 -

The 1986 calculated seepage was approximately the same as that calculated for 1985. The calculated total seepage 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 Quality Board of the International Joint Commission. The permeability of the Ash Lagoons Nos. 1 and 2 and Polishing Pond

liners was calculated and found to be the same order of magnitude (2 to 11 X 10"^ cm/s) as originally calculated by T.A. Prickett.

The advancement of the seepage front towards the reservoir in the oxidized till was calculated to be 6.11 m since the ponds were initially filled, which is an increase of 1.88 m since 1985. The seepage front in the Empress formation was calculated to have

advanced 777 m southeast of the lagoons, an increase of 147 m since

1985. However, examination of Empress formation and till water chemistry have not shown significant changes attributable to lagoon

seepage. Thus, leachate flow into Cookson Reservoir and into the East Poplar River has not been measurable.

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety requires that the Sas- katchewan Power Corporation maintain the stability of the ash lagoon

system dykes. In addition to the regular visual inspections, an annual investigation by a geotechnical engineer was conducted in

October, 1986. The freeboard requirements were exceeded during a short time in March of 1986 to minimize any ash blowing problems

from Ash Lagoon No. 1. This matter has been remedied and satisfactory freeboard maintenance has been subsequently practiced.
- A7 -

Two inclinometers were installed in 1986 on the north side of dyke G between the dyke and the cooling water canal to provide additional

information on dyke stability. A discharge structure between Ash

Lagoon No. 3N and the Polishing Pond was also constructed during the year.

Saskatchewan Power continues to experiment with the surcharging of dry ash into the lagoons. The present procedure involves several ash

discharge points along the north and west sides of Ash Lagoon No. 1. The coarse bottom ash material is selectively collected at the discharge points and spread over the finer materials previously laid

down. The result should be a surface that is not wind erodible and

could support vegetation. It would be graded to a 5 percent slope

from the dyke to the middle of the lagoon.

Saskatchewan Power has, since May 1983, undertaken analyses of filtered

ash lagoon water samples to obtain appropriate information on potential

leachate quality. Generally, the water quality data show increases in the Ash Lagoons and the Polishing Ponds for sodium, potassium, sulphate,

total dissolved solids, fluoride, boron, molybdenum, and strontium;

and notable variability in the levels for uranium, and vanadium. In addition, there were some decreases noted for other measured variables

such as lead, mercury, and recently, zinc. The changes are to be expected in a closed system of this type.
- 48 -

AIR QUALITY

Saskatchewan

As a result of new construction at the Coronach site, the monitoring

station was dismantled in September 1986 and could not be relocated

until the beginning of 1987.

Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. To date, few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this

site. There were no recorded violations of Saskatchewan's hourly or 24-hour standards of 17.0 pphm and 6.0 pphm, respectively (Figure

11). The highest value of 2.4 pphm occurred on February 8 at 0800

hours. Weather information for this day indicates winds blowing

from the northern quadrants, which would indicate the power plant was not the source. The highest 24-hour value of 0.4 pphm occurred

on July 29. Weather data indicates winds blowing from the northern

quadrants 46 percent of the time. As well, there were no recorded

violations at Saskatchewan Power Corporation's monitoring station

near the Montana border. The highest value of 4.2 pphm occurred on December 2, 1986 at 1500 hours. Weather information indicates winds

blowing from the north, which would indicate the power plant as the probable source.

Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach showed a variance

in 1986 similar to that of 1985. Saskatchewan's 24-hour average standard of 120 micrograms per cubic metre ()Jg/m^/24 hours) was

not exceeded. The annual geometric mean rose from 24.8 Pg/m-* in

1985 to 25.2 Pg/m^ in 1986 and continues to be well below the Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 Pg/m-^. Suspended particulate con- centrations at Saskatchewan Power Corporation's monitoring station

exceeded Saskatchewan's 24-hour average standard on two occasions
- 49 -

on two occasions In 1986. The highest recorded value of 161.9

yg/m-^ occurred on December 10. Weather data for this date Indicate

winds were blowing from the western quadrants for 65 percent of the time, which would suggest that the power plant was not the source. Windblown dust from fields west of the monitoring station was the most probable cause. The annual geometric mean of 28.0 Ug/m^ is well below the provincial standard.

In-stack monitoring results showed a variance in 1986 similar to that

of 1985. Daily nitrogen oxide concentrations ranged from 276 to 2,161

milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with an average yearly concentration of 898 mg/m^ as compared to 757 mg/ur in 1985. Ongoing improve- ments to the sample conditioning system improved the operation of

the nitrogen oxides monitor considerably. The monitor was available

82 percent of the time in 1986 as compared to 38 percent of the time

in 1985. Dally sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 1,445 to 4,677 mg/m^, with an average yearly concentration of 2,688 mg/va? as compared to 2,660 mg/wr in 1985. The sulphur dioxide monitor was available 85 percent of the time in 1986.

Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 9.2 x lO"-* tonnes per megawatt

hour due to firing on coal and 8.1 x 10~^ tonnes per megawatt hour

due to firing on oil. Total coal consumption for 1986 was 3,342,028

tonnes and oil consumption was 1,997 tonnes.

Average daily opacity readings ranged from 1 to 100 percent, with a yearly average of 16 percent as compared to 19 percent in 1985. Saskatchewan's opacity standard is 40 percent. In most instances,

opacity violations occur during process startup, shutdown or when

one of the precipitators experiences a power trip.
- 50 -

SASKATCHEWAN MAXIMUM HOURLY SO; AIR QUALITY DATA CORONACH WATER TREATMENT PLANT

MJJAS0NDJ1

1981

SASKATCHEWAN MAXIMUM DAILY SO2 AIR QUALITY DATA CORONACH WATER TREATMENT PLANT

AJJUiNDi^AiAjjUAf.DjFll^iAiJliAll.AJFAAp!.JUsAl!l6J*AiAJJ;i6Al^J^A;AiJiiAlSi

1M2 I 1983 I 1984 I 1985 I 1986

Figure 11. Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water Treatment

Plant.
- 51 -

Montana

The State of Montana operated one primary air monitoring site and eight additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of Montana during 1986. The parameters monitored included: sulphur

dioxide, total suspended particulate, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind

direction, and temperature. The primary air monitoring site was established in September 1986 and is expected to continue through June

1987. The 1985 Montana Legislature provided funding for one site for

1 year. The site is located at the Don Marlenee Ranch, which is approximately 4 miles south of the border and 1 mile east of Highway

13. No continuous monitoring was conducted between July 1985 and August 1986, but sulfation rate analyses at selected sites were con- ducted during the interim. The monitoring results are summarized in

table 9.

During the last half of 1986, sulphur dioxide concentrations remained

less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality standards.

The maximum 1-hour concentration of 7.5 pphm was recorded at the Marlenee Ranch site during October. This concentration is 15 percent

of the Montana standard. The highest 24-hour concentration of 0.6 pphm occurred during November. Most of the higher sulphur dioxide

concentrations occurred with northwest winds, indicating that the Saskatchewan Power Corporation generating facilities were the source.

The Montana and United States standards for total suspended particulates

were not exceeded at the monitoring site. The highest 24-hour concentration was 140 Ug/m^, recorded on November 10, 1987. The annual

geometric and arithmetic means for the 4 months the site ran in 1986 were 18.7 Mg/m^ and 28.9 Pg/m^, respectively. The levels of total sus- pended particulates observed during 1986 are low and representative of rural Montana.
- 52 -

Table 9 Summary of 1986 Montana Air Quality Monitoring Results

Sulphur Dioxide (pphm)

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

Marlenee 7.5 4.2 0.6 0.0*

Ranch

Sulfation Rate (mg/100 cm^/day)

Site Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. International — — — — — — — — — — — —

Boundary

Richardson — ~ ~ ~ 0.00 —

Hanrahan ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0.00 ~

Microwave — — — 0.01 — — — — — —

Tower Flaxville 0.02 ~

TV Tower ~ ~ 0.01 ~

Hill

Scobey ~ 0.02 ~

Downtown

Four Buttes — — — .00 —

Total Suspended Particulate (wg/m^)

Geometric Arithmetic

Site Highest 24-hr 2nd Hightest 24-hr Mean Mean Marlenee 140 45 18.7 28.9 Ranch

^Annual average based on four months of data.
- 53 -

During 1986, the Montana Department of Health and Environmental

Sciences continued to operate an extended network of lead dioxide

sulfation plates in the Poplar River area. The sulfation plate

network includes the existing primary monitoring site and eight

additional locations: International Boundary, Richardson, Hanrahan

Ranch, Microwave Tower, Flaxville, TV Tower Hill, Scobey Downtown and Four Buttes. The objective of the sulfation plate network is to obtain a broad geographical indication of sulphur dioxide concentrations and to investigate the relationship between sulfation rate and sulphur dioxide concentrations.

During 1986, the highest monthly sulfation rate was 0.02 milligram

per 100 centimetres squared per day (mg/100 cm^/day) at Flaxville and Scobey Downtown. These readings, which occurred during January and

February, are low.

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 development. 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 and Public Safety Government of the United States of America: U.S. Geological

Survey Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. 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 accordance 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 representative.

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 implementation 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 counterpart Cochairman on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis,

the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

2. Reports

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint Annual Report to the participating 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;

11) 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);

ill) 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 participating 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 Co chairmen 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 elected 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 cooperating monitoring agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules;

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate government 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 participating governments.

- 4 -
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1987

CANADA - UNITED STATES

June 1987
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page PREAMBLE 3 CANADA 5 STREAMFLOW MONITORING 6 SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 8 GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 12 GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN 14 DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON 16 AREA, SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL

GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON 18 AREA AND INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AREA, SCHEDULE B - PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 20

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 22

UNITED STATES 25 STREAMFLOW MONITORING 26

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 28 GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 30 GROUND WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE 32 TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 34

- 2 -
PREAMBLE

The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water

quality and air quality monitoring locations and parameters which

form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring

the exchange takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative

Monitoring Arrangement.

The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been

reviewed by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality

at the International Boundary. The Schedule was initially submitted

to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may

be made by Governments based on the recommendations of the Committee.

Significant additional information is being collected by agencies

on both sides of the International Boundary, primarily for project

management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional information is usually available upon request from the collecting

agency and forms part of the pool of technical information which may

be drawn upon by Governments for specific study purposes. Examples

of additional information are water quantity, water quality, groundwater and air quality data collected at points in the Poplar River

basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In addition, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish

and waterfowl populations and aquatic vegetation is also being

collected on either a routine or specific studies basis by various

agencies.

- 3

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1987

CANADA

- 5 -
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

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

No. on
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

- 7 -
SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Envlronaent and Public Safety

No. on Map

12

3A

5

Station No. OTSIC07ODUOO7 OOSK02000007 05SK02000008

0SSK02000004

0031:02000003

Station Name

Fife Lake Overflow

Clrard Creek at Coronach Reservoir Outflow

Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 Cookson Reservoir near Daa East Poplar River at culvert Insedlately below Cookson Reservoir Responsible Agency: Envlronaent Canada 0OSA11AE0008 East Poplar River at International Boundary

Paraaetera Responslbl* Agency: Saskatchewan Envlronaent and Public Safety

Analytical

Method

Pot. Titration

Pot. Titration

AA-dlrect

Flaoeless-A.A. Calculated

ICPA AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) AA-Dlract

IRIRCalculated

Colourlaatery Colourlaetery AA-dlr*ct

HFMF

Conductivity aeter

AA-Solv«°nt extract (MIBK) Specific Ion electrode AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) AA-dlrect

Flaaeleas AA AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) Co lour lae try Gravimetric

Gravlaetrlc AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) Colourloetry

Pet. Ether Extraction

Meter

Colourlaetry

Flame Photoaetery

Hydride Generation

Flaide Photometry

Colourlaetry Gravlaetrlc

Thermometer

AA-Dlrect AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) Electroaetrlc

ESQUADAT*
PARAMETERS (Continued)

Reiponalblc Agency: Environnent Canada

HAQUADAT*

LEGEND A ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

CANADA

U.$.A.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

- 11
GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING Saapllng Location* Responalble Agency: Saskatchewan Envlron>ent and Public Safety Station Deacrlptlon

8«

8*9a

9a

2a

2b

2c C533

C53A

18

21

SPC Plezoaeter No. C726A

C726C C726E C728A

C728B

C728C C728D

C728E C712B

C718 0719

0533

0534 0741** 0742**

Saapllng

Elevation (n) 746.338

752.739 738.725

753.405

743.265 747.645

752.305

739.912

. 746.112

748.385

747.715

740.441 753.499

735.153 741.800

Material unoxldlzed till oxidized till Eopress gravel oxidized till unoxldlzed till mottled till oxidized till Empress gravel oxidized till mottled till oxidized till Empress gravel

till Empress gravel Empress gravel

Parameters Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

ESQUADAT*

Code Analytical Method

Sampling Frequency Station

No: Piezometers

10101
R. 27 R.26

Ash

Loqoons

C533 C534

1/9

21

SCALE A

CANADA

US. A.

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

13
GROUND WATER PIBZOMBTERS TO MOMITOR

POTENTIAL DRAVroOVfN DUE TO COAL SEAM DBWATBRING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation Heasurement Frequency: Quarterly

SPC
CANADA USA

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING J

- 15 -
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Station

la

lb

Ic2ai 232

233

2a4 2b

2c3a

3b

3c

SPC Piezometer No.

C716

C717

C711 C712A

C712B

C712C

C712D

C718

C719

C713 C720

C721

Frequency of Measurement

All piezometer levels

are measured quarterly

6a 1 6a2

6a3

634

7a

7a2

7a3 734 C534

C763A

C763B

C763C

C763D

C729A

C729B

C729C

C729D

C534

8ai

8a2

833

834

8bi 8b2

8b3

8ci 8c2

8C3 8C4 8d

C730A

C730B

C730C

C730D

C727A

C727B

C727C

C726A

C726B

C726C

C726D

C748

9a 1 9a2

933

9a4

9bi 9b2

9b3

9b4

C764A

C764B

C764C

C764D

C728A

C728B

C728C

C728D

- 16 -
R. 2T R.26 LEGEND

SCALE Q Si««l* Pitiemcr ia Till e tee lOocMCTiitt

Ath

Lagood

A

CANADA

US. A.

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 and Public Safety

Station
R 27 R.26

Pitie«*t*r« ia Ea»r*M

^PitzoMtttr* Hart Sm 8 Sit* Nankar

SCALE A

KMO HCTaCI

CANADA

US. A.

PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES - SCHEDULE 'B' PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL

19
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

No. on Map Location

1 Coronach

Parameters Reporting Frequency

Sulphur Continuous monitoring with

Dioxide hourly averages as summary

statistics.

International

Boundary*

Wind speed

and

direction

Total

Suspended

Particulates

Sulphur

Dioxide

Continuous monitoring

with hourly averages as summary statistics.

24-hour samples on a 6-day cycle, corresponding

to the National Air

Pollution Surveillance

Sampling Schedule.

Continuous monitoring with

hourly averages as summary

statistics.

METHODS

Total

Suspended

Particulates

2A-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding

to the National Air

Pollution Surveillance

Sampling Schedule.

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Colourlmetric Titration,

Pulsed Fluorescence

Total Suspended

Particulates

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

High Volume Method

*The station operated by Saskatchewan Power.

- 20 -
CANADA USA

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

- 21 -
SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

No. on Map

1

Station Location

At Poplar River

Power Plant

Parameters Sulphur Dioxide

Nitrogen Dioxide,

Opacity.

Sampling Frequency

Continuous reported

as Hourly Averages

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide

Nitrogen Dioxide

Opacity

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - Ultraviolet Absorption

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - Cheml luminescence

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - Optical

22 -
R 27 R.26

T.I

Ash

Loqoons

SCALE A

•OO 1000 H(T«(t -> , 1 k

CANADA

U.S. A.

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

!3 -

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1987

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

*2 06178500 (11AE003) East Poplar River at International

Boundary

* International gauging station

- 26 -
^

CANADA

USA.

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

- 27 -
SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING Station Location

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey
CANADA

U.SA.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

- 29 -
CKOUND WATER QUALITY MOWITOKIMC

Station Location! (••ponaible Agency: Montana Bureau of Hinea and Geology
GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

- 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
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITER POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

- 33 -
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Responsible Agency: State of Montana Air Quality Bureau

Sulfur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulates

Sulfation Rate

Sampling Frequency

and Reporting

Hourly averages 24-hour averages

Hourly averages

Hourly averages Hourly averages Monthly averages Monthly averages

Monthly averages Monthly averages Monthly averages Monthly averages Monthly averages

EPA Equivalent Method EQSA-0276-009

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

Methods of Air Sampling and Analysis, 2nd Edition,

'Tentative Method of Analysis of the Sulfation Rate of

the Atmosphere (Lead Dioxide Plate Method - Turbldlmetrlc

Analysis)," p. 691.

No. on Map
CANADA USA

Scobty

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

- 35 -

ANNEX 3

REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1986

BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

- 1 -
REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1986 BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

1. Munro, D.J., 1985, Report on Mercury in Cookson Reservoir

[Saskatchewan] : Regina, Saskatchewan, Environment Canada, Water Quality Branch, WQB-WNR-85-02, pp. 25.

- 2 -
ANNEX 4

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD,

POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976)

- 1
RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries In the Poplar

River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally

between Canada and the United States subject to the following conditions:

1. The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all Its tributaries crossing the International Boundary shall be divided

equally between Canada and the United States but the flow at the

International Boundary In each tributary shall not be depleted

by more than 60 percent of Its natural flow.

2. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries

In the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary

shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States.

Specific conditions of this division are as follows:

a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60

percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River

at the International Boundary, as determined below the con- fluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork.

b) The delivery of water from Canada to the United States on the East Poplar River shall be determined on or about the first day of June of each year as follows:

I) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar

River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek,

during the Immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st

period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decametres (3,800

acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028

cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second)

shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary throughout

the suceedlng 12 month period commencing June 1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decametres (300 acre-feet)

shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st.

II) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar

River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek,

during the Immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period Is greater than 4,690 cubic decametres (3,800

acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decametres

7,500 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057

*Canada-Unlted States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment. Poplar

River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, International Sourls-Red

^Rivers Board, Poplar River Task Force, 43 pp.

-2-
cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall

be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River

at the International Boundary during the succeeding period

June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.028

cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall

then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st

of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic

decametres (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-inonth period

commencing June 1st.

ill) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar

River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek,

during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decametres (7,500

acre-feet), but does not exceed 14,800 cubic decametres

(12,000 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second)

shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar

River at the International Boundary during the succeeding

period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery

of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through

to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume

of 617 cubic decametres (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered

to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st.

Iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period exceeds

14,800 cubic decametres (12,000 acre-feet) then a con- tinuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0

cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary during the suceeding period June 1st through

August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained

from September 1st through to May 31st of the following

year. In addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic decametres

(1,000 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States

upon demand at any time during the 12-month period com- mencing June 1st.

c) The natural flow at the International Boundary In each of the remaining Individual tributaries shall not be depleted by more

than 60 percent of its natural flow.

3. The natural flow and division periods for apportionment purposes

shall be determined, unless otherwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with the uses and requirements of both countries.

-3-

ANNEX 5

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.

cm^ = 0.155 iti^

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

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10~\^

ha = 10,000 m^ = 2.471 ac

hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft

hm^ = 1 X 10^ m^

I.gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X 10"^ tons

km = 0.62137 miles

km2 = 0.3861 mi^

L

= 0.3532 ft3 = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal

L/s = 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm m - 3.2808 ft

m^ = 10.7636 ft^

m3 = 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I. gal = 264.2 U.S. gal

m^/s = 35.314 cfs

mm = 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 sub8tance/24.45) mg/m^

- 2 -