i 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for 2012..................................................................................................................................... iii

1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Committee Activities....................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Membership...... ................................................................................................................. 2

2.2 Meetings ............................................................................................................................. 2

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives.................................................................................. 3

2.4 Data Exchange ........................................................................................ 4

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities........................................................................ 4

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations............................................................................... 6

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation................................................................................ 6

3.2 Surface Water ..................................................................................................................... 6

3.2.1 Streamflow................................................................................................................ 6

3.2.2 Apportionment.......................................................................................................... 7

3.2.3 Minimum Flows........................................................................................................ 8

3.2.4 On-Demand Release ................................................................................................. 9

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality ............................................................................................ 10

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids........................................................................... 11

3.2.5.2 Boron ............................................................................. 14

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives............................................................. 17

3.3 Ground Water ................................................................................................................... 19

3.3.1 Operations-Saskatchewan....................................................................................... 19

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring...................................................................................... 21

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan .......................................................................................... 21

3.3.2.2 Montana................................................................................................... 23

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality ............................................................................................ 25

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan .......................................................................................... 25

3.3.3.2 Montana................................................................................................... 28

3.4 Cookson Reservoir............................................................................................................ 29

3.4.1 Storage .................................................................................................................... 29

3.4.2 Water Quality.......................................................................................................... 31

3.5 Air Quality........................................................................................................................ 32

3.6 Quality Control ................................................................................................................. 32

3.6.1 Streamflow ........................................................................................................... 32

3.6.2 Water Quality ...................................................................................................... 32

ANNEXES

1.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States....................A1

 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical

Monitoring Schedules, 2013, Canada-United States........................................................A2

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin ..................................... A3

4.0 Conversion Factors...........................................................................................................A4
ii 

TABLES

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives................................................................................................. 5

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2012 Sampling 

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary .................................................. 18

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana............. 21

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply 

Project Wells.................................................................................................................. 25

Table 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project Wells Sampled 

at the Discharge Pipe ...................................................................................................... 26

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2012 .............................................................. 29

FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 2012 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean 

Discharge from 1931-2011 for the Poplar River at International Boundary .................... 7

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary ............................ 8

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release ............................................... 9

Figure 3.4 Estimated March to October Monthly TDS Concentration During 2012 for East Poplar 

River at International Boundary ..................................................................................... 12

Figure 3.5 Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS 

Concentrations for East Poplar River at International Boundary ................................... 12

Figure 3.6 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar 

River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated).............................................. 13

Figure 3.7 Daily TDS Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, for

East Poplar River at International Boundary .................................................................. 13

Figure 3.8 Estimated March to October Monthly Boron Concentrations During 2012 for East Poplar 

River at International Boundary ..................................................................................... 15

Figure 3.9 Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron 

Concentrations for East Poplar River at International Boundary ................................... 15

Figure 3.10 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration for

East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)........................... 16

Figure 3.11 Daily Boron Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, for 

East Poplar River at International Boundary .................................................................. 16

Figure 3.12 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station‟s Supplementary Water Supply.. 19

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project................................................................... 20

Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam................................. 22

Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers...................................................... 23

Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers............. 24

Figure 3.17 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells .............................................. 28

Figure 3.18 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2012 and Median

Daily Water Levels, 2002-2011...................................................................................... 30

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2012 and Median

Daily Storage, 2002-2011............................................................................................... 31

Figure 3.20 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-2012 for 

Cookson Reservoir.......................................................................................................... 32
iii 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012

The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-eighth full year of operation in 2012. The two 300-

megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,647,928 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average capacity 

factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 84.8 percent and 83.1 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based 

on the maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour for both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. The scheduled 

maintenance outage for Unit 1 and 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2012 so as not to coincide with 

system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2012 was exchanged in the 

spring of 2013. 

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2012 was 

10,870 dam3 (8,810 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded 

flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River 

of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m3/s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft3/s)) for the period June 1, 2012 to 

August 31, 2012, and 0.057 m

3

/s (2.0 ft3/s) for the period September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. The 

minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2012 was 0.057 m

3

/s (2.0 ft3/s), determined 

on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2011. 

Daily flows during 2012 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the year

except for June 5 and 6. 

In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an ondemand release to be delivered in the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing 

June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2011 runoff volume of 28,510 dam3(23,110 acre-feet) 

recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, Montana was entitled to an 

additional release of 1,230 dam3(1,000 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding 

twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2011. Montana requested this release to be made between 

May 1 and May 31, 2012. A volume of 1,280 dam3 (1,040 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, 

was delivered during this period. 

The 2012 five-year estimated flow-weighted TDS concentrations were below the long-term objective of 

1,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly five-year estimated flow-weighted

concentration value in 2012 was about 817 mg/L. The 2012 five-year estimated flow-weighted boron 

concentrations remained well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L.
iv 

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1 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of five 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. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July 

1992, July 1997, March 2002, April 2007 and March 2012. The Monitoring Committee is currently 

extended to March 2017. A more detailed account of the historical background of the Monitoring 

Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring 

Committee.

The Committee oversees monitoring programs designed to evaluate the potential for transboundary 

impacts from SaskPower's (formerly Saskatchewan Power Corporation) 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 surface and 

ground water and for air quality. Participants from both countries, including Federal, State and 

Provincial agencies, are involved in monitoring.

The Committee submits 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. The Committee is also 

responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters 

which may require immediate attention.

A 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 techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical 

Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the year 2013. The 

Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as 

information requirements change.
2 

2.0 COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

2.1 Membership

The Committee is composed of representatives of the Governments of the United States of America 

and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan. In 

addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve as local representatives 

for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan. 

During 2012, the members of the Committee included: Mr. J. Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey, 

United States representative and Co-chair; Mr. M. Renouf, Environment Canada, Canadian 

representative and Co-chair; Mr. Tim Davis, Montana Department of Natural Resources and 

Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. G. Adilman, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, 

Saskatchewan representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local exofficio representative. The Montana local ex-officio representative position was vacant in 2012.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met via a conference call on June 24, 2012. Delegated representatives of 

Governments, with the exception of the ex-officio members from Montana and Saskatchewan, 

participated in the meeting. In addition to Committee members, several technical advisors representing 

Federal, State, and Provincial agencies also participated. Committee members reviewed the operational 

status of the Poplar River Power Station and associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected

in 2011 including surface-water quality and quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air 

quality; discussed proposed changes in the water-quality sampling program; and established the 

Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2013.
3 

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives

The International Joint Commission in its Report to Governments, titled “Water Quality in the Poplar 

River Basin,” recommended that the Committee periodically review the water-quality objectives 

within the overall Basin context and recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate. In 1991, 

an action item from the annual Committee meeting set in motion the review and revision of the waterquality objectives. 

In 1993, the Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the 

subcommittee that was formed in 1992 to review the objectives. The Committee also discussed the 

water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved 

solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that calculation procedures to determine flowweighted concentrations are time consuming and probably scientifically questionable, no consensus 

was reached on alternative objectives or procedures. 

In 1997, the Committee agreed to suspend the monitoring and reporting of several parameters. The 

parameters affected were: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total chromium, dissolved 

copper, mercury in fish tissues, fecal coliform, and total coliform. The Committee also agreed to other 

minor revisions for clarification purposes; for example, changing the designation for pH from 

“natural” to “ambient”.

In 1999, the Committee replaced the term “discontinued” with “suspended” in Table 2.1. 

In 2001, the Committee suspended the monitoring of dissolved mercury and total copper. This 

decision was based on data indicating concentrations or levels well below or within the objectives. 

Current objectives approved by the Committee are listed in Table 2.1.

The Committee also agreed to periodically review all parameters for which monitoring has been 

suspended.

Another responsibility of the Committee has included an ongoing exchange of data acquired through 

the monitoring programs. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the agencies 

of the participating governments or from Committee members.
4 

2.4 Data Exchange

The Committee is responsible for assuring exchange of data between governments. The exchange of 

monitoring information was initiated in the first quarter of 1981 and was an expansion of the informal 

quarterly exchange program initiated between the United States and Canada in 1976. Until 1991, data 

were exchanged quarterly. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to 

replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the beginning of the 1992 

calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged once each year as soon after the end of the calendar 

year as possible. However, unusual conditions or anomalous data will be reported and exchanged 

whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 2012 which warranted special reporting.

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities 

Environment Canada has agreed to take responsibility for repairing the continuous water-quality 

monitor installed at the East Poplar station at the International Boundary. The continuous water-quality 

monitor records daily specific conductance values which are used in the computation of TDS and 

boron values to monitor water quality in the East Poplar River. In the absence of regular monthly 

water-quality samples, the Committee has agreed to utilize the data collected by the continuous waterquality monitor for its surface-water-quality monitoring program. 

The USGS, in cooperation with the Fort Peck Tribes, previously collected water-quality samples four 

times per year to supplement the daily specific conductance data collected by the continuous waterquality monitor.
5 

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

Parameter

Original 

Objective

Recommendation

Current 

Objective

Boron, total 3.5/2.51Continue as is 3.5/2.51

TDS 1,500/1,0001Continue as is 1,500/1,0001

Aluminum, dissolved 0.1 Suspended* ---

Ammonia, un-ionized 0.02 Suspended* ---

Cadmium, total 0.0012 Continue as is 0.0012

Chromium, total 0.05 Suspended* ---

Copper, dissolved 0.005 Suspended* ---

Copper, total 1 Suspended* ---

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 Continue as is 1.5

Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Mercury, dissolved 0.0002 Suspended* ---

Mercury, fish (mg/kg) 0.5 Suspended* ---

Nitrate 10 Continue as is 10

Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.02 Objective applies only during open 

water

4.0/5.02

SAR (units) 10 Continue as is 10

Sulfate, dissolved 800 Continue as is 800

Zinc, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Water temperature (C) 30.03Continue as is 30.03

pH (units) 6.54Continue as is 6.54

Coliform (no./100 mL)

 Fecal 2,000 Suspended* ---

 Total 20,000 Suspended* ---

Units in mg/L except as noted.

1. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron, <1,000 TDS.

 Three-month average of flow-weighted concentration should be <3.5 boron and <1,500 TDS. 

2. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning).

3. Natural temperature (April 10 to May 15), <30 degree Celsius (remainder of year)

4. Less than 0.5 pH units above ambient, minimum pH=6.5.

*Suspended after review of historic data found sample concentrations consistently below the objective. The Committee will periodically 

review status of suspended objectives.
6 

3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 

Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) operates the Poplar River Power Station near the 

town on Coronach, Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station is comprised of two ligniteburning power generating units designated Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Both Unit No. 1 and Unit 

No. 2 have a maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour and share a common 122 metres (m) 

(400 feet (ft)) tall stack.

In 2012 both units were operated as base load units supplying the maximum production except 

when system constraint and outages dictated otherwise. The scheduled maintenance outages for 

Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2012 so as not to coincide with 

system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods.

Between January 1 and December 31, Poplar River Power Station generated 4,647,928 gross MW

of electricity. During this time approximately 3,485,352 tonnes (3,841,903 tons) of coal and 2,333

m

3

(616,379 gallons) of fuel oil were consumed. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and 

Unit No. 2 were 84.8 percent and 83.1 percent respectively.

3.2 Surface Water

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 2012. The March to October recorded 

flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 

14,020 cubic decametres (dam3) (11,370 acre-feet), which was 139 percent of the 1931-2011

median seasonal flow of 10,070 dam3(8,160 acre-feet). A comparison of 2012 monthly mean 

discharge with the 1931-2011 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1.
7 

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 2012 as Compared with the Median Monthly 

Mean Discharge from 1931-2011 for the Poplar River at International Boundary.

The 2012 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 4,880

dam3(3,960 acre-feet). This volume is 177 percent of the median annual flow of 2,750 dam3 

(2,230 acre-feet) for 1976-2011 (since the completion of Morrison Dam). 

3.2.2 Apportionment

In 1976 the International Souris-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 the apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although the 

recommendations have not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to 

the apportionment recommendations. Annex 3 contains the apportionment recommendation.

0

35

7 0

105

0

1

2

3

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Discharge, in Cubic Feet per Second

Discharge, in Cubic Metres per Second

Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2011

Monthly Mean Discharge for 2012
8 

3.2.3 Minimum Flows

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 

2012 was 10,870 dam3 (8,810 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that 

the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on 

the East Poplar River of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m3/s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft3/s)) for 

the period June 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012, and 0.057 m

3

/s (2.0 ft3/s) for the period September 1, 

2012 to May 31, 2013. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2012 was 

0.057 m

3

/s (2.0 ft3/s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to 

May 31, 2011. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and the 

minimum flow as recommended by the IJC are shown in Figure 3.2.

Daily flows during 2012 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the 

year except for June 5 and 6. 

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary.

0.01

0.1

1

10

0.01

0.10

1.00

10.00

1-Jan 15-Jan 29-Jan 12-Feb 26-Feb 11-Mar 25-Mar8-Apr 22-Apr

6-May 20-May

3-Jun 17-Jun

1-Jul 15-Jul 29-Jul 12-Aug 26-Aug

9-Sep 23-Sep

7-Oct 21-Oct

4-Nov 18-Nov

2-Dec 16-Dec Discharge, in Cubic Feet per Second

Discharge, in Cubic Metres per Second

Apportionment recommendation for minimum flow

350

3.5

0.35

2012

35
9 

3.2.4 On-Demand Release

In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an 

on-demand release to be delivered in the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period 

commencing June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2011 runoff volume of 28,510 dam3

(23,110 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, 

Montana was entitled to an additional release of 1,230 dam3(1,000 acre-feet) from Cookson 

Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2011. Montana 

requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2012. A volume of 1,280 dam3 

(1,040 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. A 

hydrograph showing cumulative volume of the on-demand release request and on-demand release 

delivery made at the East Poplar River at International Boundary is shown in Figure 3.3. 

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release. 

0

325

650

975

1300

0

400

800

1200

1600

1-May3-May5-May7-May9-May 11-May 13-May 15-May 17-May 19-May 21-May 23-May 25-May 27-May 29-May 31-May Cumulative Volume, in Acre-Feet Cumulative Volume, in Cubic Decametres

2012

On-Demand Release Delivery

On-Demand Release Request
10 

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should not exceed 

3.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 1,500 mg/L for TDS for any three consecutive 

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 TDS in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. 

For the period prior to 1982, the three-month moving flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for 

boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly water-quality 

monitoring results. In 2003, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee decided to suspend 

much of the water-quality sampling program until it is warranted again. All surface-water-quality 

sample collection by Environment Canada has been suspended at the East Poplar River boundary 

station. After the monthly discrete sampling program was suspended in 2003, the USGS 

continued to collect four discrete samples per year until 2010, when due to a lack of funding no 

samples were obtained.

Since the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily in the East 

Poplar River at the International Boundary, making it possible to estimate boron and TDS 

concentrations using a linear regression relationship with specific conductance. Thus, the threemonth FWC for boron and TDS for the period 1982 to 2002 was calculated from the results of 

monthly monitoring (discrete water-quality samples collected by both Canada and the United 

States) or from estimated monthly water-quality data based upon daily specific conductance data 

collected by the USGS during months when a discrete water-quality sample was not available.

Since 2003, the Committee has agreed to use the continuous data collected by the specificconductance monitor as a surrogate for the monthly water-quality sampling program. Hence, the 

three-month FWC for TDS and boron in 2012 were calculated using the two equations (shown 

later in text) and the continuous specific-conductance data collected at the East Poplar River at the 

International Boundary.

The Bilateral Monitoring Committee adopted the approach that, for the purpose of comparison 

with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and TDS data are best plotted as a five-year 

moving FWC which is advanced one month at a time. 

Prior to 1988, long-term averages were calculated for a five-year period in which 2.5 years 

preceded and 2.5 years followed each plotted point. Beginning in 1988, the FWC was calculated 

from the 5-year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 2012 is 

calculated from data generated over the period December 2006 to December 2012. The 

calculations are based on the results of samples collected throughout the year, and are not 

restricted to only those collected during the months bracketing the period of irrigation (March to 

October) each year.
11 

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids

TDS is inversely related to streamflow at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

station. During periods of high runoff such as spring freshet, TDS decreases 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 proportionally greater.

Because the ground water entering the river has a higher ionic strength than the surface water, the 

TDS of the stream increases markedly during low-flow conditions. 

The March to October estimated monthly TDS concentrations during 2012 for East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary are shown in Figure 3.4. The estimated monthly TDS concentrations 

during this period ranged from 634 mg/L (May) to 887 mg/L (October). Estimated daily TDS 

concentrations during the 2012 calendar year ranged from 588 mg/L (May 2) to 1195 mg/L 

(December 9-11).

The three-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of 1992-2012 is presented in Figure 3.5. 

The short-term TDS objective has not been exceeded during the period of record. 

The five-year moving estimated FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective 

of 1,000 mg/L in 2012. The maximum monthly five-year estimated FWC in 2012 was about 817

mg/L, down significantly from values prior to May 2011.

The daily TDS values, as estimated by linear regression from the daily specific-conductance 

readings, for the period January 1993 through December 2012 are shown in Figure 3.7. The figure 

shows an abrupt drop in estimated TDS corresponding to the snowmelt runoff occurring during 

the spring of each year. 

The relationship between TDS and specific conductance based upon data collected during the 

March to October period from 1974 to 2009 is as follows: 

TDS = (0.624613813 x specific conductance) + 35.1841527 

 (R2= 0.89, n = 363)
12 

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

1800 Jan-9 3 Jan-9 4 Jan-9 5 Jan-9 6 Jan-9 7 Jan-9 8 Jan-9 9 Jan-0 0 Jan-0 1 Jan-0 2 Jan-0 3 Jan-0 4 Jan-0 5 Jan-0 6 Jan-0 7 Jan-0 8 Jan-0 9 Jan-1 0 Jan-1 1 Jan-1 2 Jan-1 3 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

Figure 3.5: Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated 

TDS Concentrations for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average (Statistically Estimated) Based Upon 

Monthly Mean Specific Conductance Values

Short-term Objective 

725 737

634

757 739 763

833

887

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200 Jan-1 2 Feb-1 2 Mar-1 2 Apr-1 2 May-1 2 Jun-1 2 Jul-1 2 Aug-1 2 Sep-1 2 Oct-1 2 Nov-1 2 Dec-1 2 Total Dissolved Soilds (mg/L)

Figure 3.4: Estimated March to October Monthly TDS Concentrations During 2012

for East Poplar River at International Boundary

Maximum Concentration (Statistically Estimated)

Mean Monthly Specific Conductance Values (Statistically Estimated)

Minimum Concentration (Statistically Estimated)
13 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Jan-93Jan-94Jan-95Jan-96Jan-97Jan-98Jan-99Jan-00Jan-01Jan-02Jan-03Jan-04Jan-05Jan-06Jan-07Jan-08Jan-09Jan-10Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

Figure 3.7: Daily TDS Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, 

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600 Jan 93 Jan 94 Jan 95 Jan 96 Jan 97 Jan 98 Jan 99 Jan 00 Jan 01 Jan 02 Jan 03 Jan 04 Jan 05 Jan 06 Jan 07 Jan 08 Jan 09 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

Long-term Objective
14 

3.2.5.2 Boron

All the boron concentrations presented below were estimated using the boron equation that was 

developed from water-quality samples collected during the months March through October from 

1974-2003 and the daily specific conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor. 

The March to October estimated monthly boron concentrations during 2012 for East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary are shown in Figure 3.8. The estimated monthly boron

concentrations during this period ranged from 1.20 mg/L (May) to 1.73 mg/L (October). 

Estimated daily boron concentrations during the 2012 calendar year ranged from 1.10 mg/L (May

2) to 2.38 mg/L (December 9-11).

The 3-month flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron for the period of 1993-2012 is shown 

in Figure 3.9. The short-term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded during the period of 

record. 

The 5-year moving FWC for boron (Figure 3.10) remained well below the long-term objective of 

2.5 mg/L during 2012.

Boron concentrations are not as well-correlated with specific conductance as TDS. Boron is a 

relatively minor ion, and does not in itself contribute to a large degree to the total load of dissolved 

constituents in the water. Accordingly, it appears likely that the standard deviation of dissolved 

boron (relative to the long-term mean boron concentration) may be greater than that of the major 

cations (sodium, potassium, and magnesium) and anions (sulphate, bicarbonate, and chloride) 

around their respective long-term mean concentrations. 

The daily boron values, as estimated by linear regression from the daily specific-conductance 

readings, for the period January 1993 through December 2012 are shown in Figure 3.11. 

The relationship between boron and specific conductance based upon March to October data 

collected from 1974 to 2009 is as follows: 

Boron = (0.0013081 x specific conductance) - 0.0677588 

 (R2= 0.66, n = 363)
15 

1.39 1.41

1.20

1.45 1.42 1.47

1.61

1.73

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00 Jan-1 2 Feb-1 2 Mar-1 2 Apr-1 2 May-1 2 Jun-1 2 Jul-1 2 Aug-1 2 Sep-1 2 Oct-1 2 Nov-1 2 Dec-1 2 Dissolved Boron (mg/L)

Figure 3.8: Estimated March to October Monthly Boron Concentrations During 2012

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

Maximum Concentration (Statistically Estimated)

Mean Monthly Specific Conductance Values (Statistically Estimated)

Minimum Concentration (Statistically Estimated)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0 Jan-93 Jan-94 Jan-95 Jan-96 Jan-97 Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Dissolved Boron (mg/L)

Figure 3.9: Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated 

Boron Concentrations for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average (Statistically Estimated) Based Upon Monthly 

Mean Specific Conductance Values

Short-term Objective
16 

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0 Jan-9 3 Jan-9 4 Jan-9 5 Jan-9 6 Jan-9 7 Jan-9 8 Jan-9 9 Jan-0 0 Jan-0 1 Jan-0 2 Jan-0 3 Jan-0 4 Jan-0 5 Jan-0 6 Jan-0 7 Jan-0 8 Jan-0 9 Jan-1 0 Jan-1 1 Jan-1 2 Jan-1 3 Dissolved Boron (mg/L)

Figure 3.11: Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, 1993-2012 for East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3 Jan-9 3 Jan-9 4 Jan-9 5 Jan-9 6 Jan-9 7 Jan-9 8 Jan-9 9 Jan-0 0 Jan-0 1 Jan-0 2 Jan-0 3 Jan-0 4 Jan-0 5 Jan-0 6 Jan-0 7 Jan-0 8 Jan-0 9 Jan-1 0 Jan-1 1 Jan-1 2 Jan-1 3 Dissolved Boron (mg/L)

Figure 3.10: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 

Long-term Objective
17 

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives

Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at 

International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board in 

1979 to the IJC. Please note that no samples were obtained during the 2012 season so the number 

of samples collected for each parameter and excursions from the recommended objectives are 

shown as not applicable (N/A) in the table. 

For years when samples are obtained, the table shows the number of samples collected for each 

parameter and the number of times over the course of the year that the objectives were exceeded. 

Multiple replicate samples collected during the annual quality control exercise are treated as a 

single sample in the table, but where an objective was exceeded in a replicate sample, this is 

charged against the single sample noted. 
18 

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2012 Sampling Program,

East Poplar River at International Boundary (units in mg/L, except as otherwise noted)

Parameter Objective No. of Samples Excursions

USA Canada

Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments

Boron, dissolved 3.5/2.5 (1) N/A N/A N/A

Total Dissolved Solids 1,500/1,000 (1) N/A N/A N/A

Objectives recommended by Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments

Cadmium, total 0.0012 N/A N/A N/A

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 N/A N/A N/A

Lead, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A

Nitrate 10.0 N/A N/A N/A

Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0 (2) N/A N/A N/A

Sodium adsorption ratio 10.0 N/A N/A N/A

Sulphate, dissolved 800.0 N/A N/A N/A

Zinc, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A

Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0 (3) N/A N/A N/A

pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) N/A N/A N/A

(1) Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3.5 mg/L boron and <1,500 mg/L TDS. Five-year average of 

 flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 mg/L boron and <1,000 mg/L TDS. 

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

(3) Natural temperature (April 10 to May 15), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of the year).

(4) Less than 0.5 pH units above natural, minimum pH = 6.5.

N/A – Not applicable

NOTE: No samples were obtained in 2012.
19 

3.3 Ground Water

3.3.1 Operations – Saskatchewan 

SaskPower‟s supplementary supply continued to operate during 2012 with 2,144 dam3(1,738

acre-feet) of ground water being produced. This volume is slightly up from the 2,059 dam3(1,669

acre-feet) pumped in 2011. Production from 1991 to 2012 has averaged 4,404 dam3(3,570 acrefeet) per year. Prior to 1991, the well network was part of a dewatering network for coal mining 

operations, which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid-1980's as 

shown in Figure 3.12. During the 1988-1990 drought period it was evident that there was a 

continued need for ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently 

the wells were taken over by SaskPower for use as a supplementary supply.

Figure 3.12 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station’s Supplementary 

 Water Supply 

SaskPower has an Approval and License for the supplementary supply project to produce an 

annual volume of 5,500 dam3(4,460 acre-feet). The supplementary supply well network currently 

consists of 21 wells with a total of 10 discharge points. No wells were added or deleted from the 

well field during the year. 
20 

In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project south of 

Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil salinity which had developed 

below the dam. The Soil Salinity project consists of a network of production wells discharging 

into the cooling water canal, which in turn discharges directly to Cookson Reservoir. Ongoing 

operational difficulties with the production wells resulted in a continued decline in the annual 

volume pumped from a high of 1,100 dam3(892 acre-feet) in 1994 to a low point of 363 dam3

(294 acre-feet) in 2011. A well rehabilitation program resulted in some recovery in production 

rates with production of 812 dam3(658 acre-feet) in 2006 but subsequent production continued to 

decline as shown in Figure 3.13. 

The total water produced from the Soil Salinity Project for 2012 was 530 dam3(430 acre-feet), 

with all of the production from well PW87104 (311 dam3(252 acre-feet)) and well PW87105 (219 

dam3(178 acre-feet)), both of which are on the east side of the Poplar River. Production since 

operation of this network began in 1990 has averaged 732 dam3/yr (593 acre-feet). 

SaskPower is planning on undertaking an engineering study of the network wells in 2013 followed 

by a replacement program in 2014 for wells that are no longer operational.

 Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project
21 

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring

Equivalent geologic formations present in Saskatchewan and Montana have different names. A list 

of the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2. 

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana

Formation Location Geologic Formation Name

Saskatchewan Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium

Montana Fox Hills Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

In 2003, SaskPower reduced its monitoring network from 180 to about 85 piezometers. 

Saskatchewan Environment approved this reduction based on modelling studies undertaken by 

SaskPower. 

The goal of the Soil Salinity Project is to lower groundwater levels in the Empress Sands below 

Morrison Dam two to three metres (6.6 to 9.8 feet), which is roughly equivalent to pre-reservoir 

levels. Groundwater withdrawals from 1990 to 1995 ranged between 900 and 1,100 dam3/year (or 

730 and 892 acre-feet/year, respectively) and consequently the drawdown objectives were 

achieved in 1995 and 1996. Due to declining well efficiency, high reservoir levels, and increased 

precipitation, the water level in the Empress Sands has been increasing since 2009.

The hydrographs of selected Hart Coal Seam monitoring wells near the International Boundary are 

shown in Figure 3.14. These hydrographs do not show any significant changes in water levels in 

the Hart Coal Seam near the boundary in the past 25 years.
22 

Figure 3.14 Hydrographs of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam
23 

3.3.2.2 Montana

Hydrographs from monitoring wells completed in the Fort Union Formation and/or the Hart Coal 

Seam (wells 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, and 19) exhibit two general patterns. Water levels in wells 9, 13, 

17, and 19 have changed less than 5 ft (1.5 m) since the time monitoring began in 1987. Water 

levels generally declined between 1987 and 1992-1994; since 1994, water-level trends have been 

flat or slowly rising with water levels in wells 9 and 19 reaching period-of-record highs in 2011. 

Water levels in wells 13 and 17 reached period-of-record highs in 2012. Water-level hydrographs 

from wells 17 and 19 are shown on Figure 3.15. Offsets noted in the legend for Figure 3.15 have 

been applied to make the hydrographs more readable. Water-level data used to construct the 

hydrographs in Figure 3.15 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information 

Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu. 

During their period of record, water levels in wells 6, 7, and 16 have changed as much as 17 ft (5.2

m) but generally declined from the beginning of monitoring in 1979 (wells 6 and 7) and 1985 

(well 16) until the mid 1990s. Since then, water levels have generally risen. Water levels in well 

16 reached period-of-record highs in 1985 and 2012. High water-level elevations in 2011-2012

were related to heavy winter snow accumulation, associated snowmelt runoff, and positive 

departures from average annual precipitation of almost 6 in (15.2 cm) in the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration‟s northeast Montana climate station. Water-level hydrographs for 

wells 6 and 7 are shown on Figure 3.15.

Figure 3.15 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers
24 

Water levels in monitoring wells 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24, completed in alluvium and/or outwash, show 

seasonal change caused by climate and/or precipitation. Heavy snow accumulation and melt in 

early 2004 caused upward water-level response during the remainder of that year. In subsequent 

years water levels steadily declined returning to pre-melt 2003 elevations between 2005 (Well 23) 

and 2008 (Wells 5and 8). Water levels in wells 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24 peaked again in response to 

wet climate in 2011.

Hydrographs from alluvium and outwash (wells 10, 23, and 24) and the Fox Hills/Hell Creek 

aquifer (well 11) are shown in Figure 3.16. Offsets noted in the legend have been applied to the 

data to make the hydrographs more readable. Measurements from wells 11 and 24 where the 

wellhead was noted as being frozen are not included. Water-level data used to construct the 

hydrographs in Figure 3.16 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information 

Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu. 

The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 11-Figure 3.16) has 

shown little fluctuation during the 1979-2012 monitoring period.

Figure 3.16 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers

Above average precipitation including heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused 

water levels to rise to near record highs in wells 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, and 24

during 2011 and 2012. Wells 23 and 24 were flowing over their casing tops in April and July 2011

respectively. Water levels in all wells have fallen since and most remain between 1 ft (0.3 m) and 

4 ft (1.2 m) above their 2010 altitudes. Exceptions in October 2012 are well 16 where the water 

level was about 15 ft (4.6 m) and well 23 where the water level was about 0.5 ft (0.2 m) below 

their respective October 2010 measurements.
25 

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 

The water quality from the Poplar River Power Station‟s Supplementary Water Supply Project 

discharge points has been consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently 

tested parameters during 2012 is provided in Table 3.3. Result averages for the 1992-2011 periods 

are also included in this table for comparison.

TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from

 Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells*

1992 to 2011

Average

2012

Average

pH (units) 8.1 8.0

Conductivity (μs/cm) 1283 1182

Total Dissolved Solids 882 842

Total Suspended Solids 12 15

Boron 1.2 0.8

Sodium 171 135

Cyanide (μg/L) 2 2

Iron 0.3 0.4

Manganese 0.1 0.09

Mercury (μg/L) 0.07 0.02

Calcium 67 69

Magnesium 53 58

Sulfate 275 300

Nitrate 0.08 0.97

*All units mg/L unless otherwise noted. Samples obtained at Site “C3” on Girard Creek. 

Average results from the common discharge point for the Soil Salinity Project for 2012, plus an 

average of the 1992-2011 results are provided in Table 3.4. Results have remained relatively 

consistent since 1992.
26 

TABLE 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity 

Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe*

1992-2011

Average

2012

Average

pH (units) 7.6 7.7

Conductivity (μs/cm) 1462 1679

Total Dissolved Solids 1020 1191

Boron 1.6 1.6

Calcium 104 108

Magnesium 60 58

Sodium 159 228

Potassium 7.5 8.1

Arsenic (μg/L) 11.8 18.0

Aluminum 0.05 0.001

Barium 0.033 0.019

Cadmium 0.013 <0.001

Iron 4.1 4.1

Manganese 0.129 0.114

Molybdenum 0.013 0.001

Strontium 1.741 1.775

Vanadium 0.013 <0.001

Uranium (μg/L) 0.658 1.050

Mercury (μ/L) 0.07 0.02

Sulfate 331 425

Chloride 6.7 7.4

Nitrate 0.064 0.040

*All concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted.

Leachate movement through the ash lagoon liner systems can potentially affect ground-water 

quality in the vicinity of the ash lagoons. The piezometers listed in the Technical Monitoring 

Schedules are used to assess leachate movement and calculate seepage rates. Piezometric water 

level, boron, and chloride are the chosen indicator parameters to assess leachate movement.

The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is expected to differ from the surface 

water of the lagoons. Meaningful information is only available from piezometers installed within 
27 

Ash Lagoon # 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. Future monitoring of all 

piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in order to improve the 

understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons.

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a 

ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. The mound extends from the center of the Ash 

Lagoon No. 1 to the southeast side of Ash Lagoon No. 2. Piezometers located in the oxidized till 

suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till.

The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till have occurred 

where piezometric levels have changed the most. Although increasing water levels do not 

automatically suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric 

levels do suggest ground-water movement. On the west side of the Polishing Pond, the boron 

levels have changed only slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, where the 

chloride levels have changed more significantly. The chloride level for C728A had decreased 

from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 246 mg/L in 2012. The chloride level for C728D has increased from 

185 mg/L in 1983 to 349 mg/L in 2012. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and 

installed at the same level, they are being influenced by different water. Chloride results for 

C728A suggest initial seepage and it is to be expected that over time the same observation will be 

seen in C728D.

The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to 

southeast below Morrison Dam. As a general observation, Empress piezometers respond to 

changing reservoir levels. Results for the Empress layer do not indicate seepage activity with the 

majority of the analyses showing little change in boron or chloride results.

Piezometer C712B has been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels were below 1 

mg/L. From 1992 to 2012, boron levels have remained relatively steady between 12 and 20 mg/L.
28 

3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2012. Well 7 is completed in 

the Hart Coal Seam, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed 

in alluvium. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations in samples from wells 7 and 24 are about 

the same as they were in 2006 but have been trending higher since 2009. The 2012 sample shows 

that the TDS concentration in well 16 was above the concentration observed in the 2011 sample; 

all samples since 2009 are well above the anomalously low value observed that year, and TDS in 

2012 was very near that observed in 2008. Changes in TDS with time for wells 7, 16, and 24 are 

shown in Figure 3.17. Water-chemistry data used to construct the graphs in Figure 3.17 can be 

accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at 

http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu.

Figure 3.17 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells.
29 

3.4 Cookson Reservoir

3.4.1 Storage

On January 1, 2012, Cookson Reservoir storage was 39,400 dam3(31,940 acre-feet) or 91 % of 

the full supply volume. The 2012 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are 

shown in Table 3.5. 

Spring inflows into the reservoir were above median in 2012, bringing the reservoir to its full 

supply elevation of 753 m (2,470.47 ft) on March 19. The reservoir was at full supply level until 

early April before water levels started to decrease, due to limited inflows, evaporative processes, 

and water releases. A release of 1,384 dam3(1,122 acre-feet) was made in May to meet the 

recommended Poplar River Basin demand release. Rainfall runoff events during early June 

combined with groundwater pumping brought the reservoir up 0.14 m (0.46 ft) to an elevation of

752.91 m (2,470.18 ft) on June 9. At the end of 2012, the reservoir was at 751.98 m (2,470.18 ft), 

or approximately 1 m (3 ft) below full supply. 

In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by groundwater pumping. Wells in the 

abandoned west block mine site supplied 2,144 dam3(1,738 acre-feet) to Girard Creek. Wells in 

the soil salinity project area supplied 530 dam3(430 acre-feet).

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2012

Date Elevation

(m)

Elevation

(ft)

Contents

(dam3)

Contents

(acre-feet)

January 1 752.47 2,468.73 39,400 31,940

April 4

(Maximum) 753.02 2,470.54 43,556 35,310

December 31

(Minimum) 751.98 2,467.13 35,826 29,040

December 31 751.98 2,467.13 35,826 29,040

Full Supply Level 753.00 2,470.47 43,410 35,190
30 

The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling. 

Power plant operation is not adversely affected until reservoir levels drop below 749.0 m (2,457.3 

ft). The dead storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 m (2,444.2 

ft). The 2012 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.18 along with 

the 10-year median levels. Likewise, the 2012 storage and associated operating levels are shown 

in Figure 3.19 along with the 10-year median levels. 

Figure 3.18 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2012 and 

 Median Daily Water Levels, 2002-2011
31 

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2012 and 

 Median Daily Storage, 2002-2011

3.4.2 Water Quality 

One major factor affecting the water quality of Cookson Reservoir is volume. Low reservoir 

volumes will decrease the water quality while high volumes will improve the water quality. The 

reservoir volume is controlled by two factors: inflow, which consists of spring runoff, 

precipitation and supplementary water supply, and losses, which consist of evaporation, water uses 

and apportionment releases.

The period from 1987 to 1993 saw very low volumes of surface-water run-off to Cookson 

Reservoir. Consequently, total dissolved solids (TDS) in the reservoir increased steadily from 

approximately 780 mg/L to over 1,800 mg/L as shown in figure 3.20. From 1997 to 2004, the 

TDS levels in the reservoir generally remained below 1,000 mg/L. The TDS levels increased to 

1,540 mg/L between 2005 and 2008 before significant runoff reduced the TDS levels to 1,160 

mg/L in 2009. Above normal precipitation runoff volumes in June 2011 significantly reduced the 

average TDS level in Cookson Reservoir to 391 mg/L with a slight increase to 694 mg/L

occurring in 2012. 
32 

Figure 3.20 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-2012

for Cookson Reservoir

3.5 Air Quality 

SaskPower‟s ambient SO2 monitoring for 2012 recorded no values greater than Saskatchewan 

Environment‟s one-hour average standard of 0.17 ppm and the 24-hour average standard of 0.06 

ppm. The 2012 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 12.6

μg/m3and 2012 was the twenty-first consecutive year of below-average standard particulate 

readings.

3.6 Quality Control

3.6.1 Streamflow

No comparative current-meter discharge measurements were made in 2012 at the East Poplar River at 

International Boundary site between personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and 

Environment Canada (EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability. 

3.6.2 Water Quality

No joint sampling was performed in 2012 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to 

continued suspension in the surface-water-quality sampling program by the USGS and EC. 
 A1-1

ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA-UNITED STATES
 A1-2
 A1-3

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 quality monitoring programs 

being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary in response to 

SaskPower 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 Resource Management

Government of the United States of America: United States 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:
 A1-4

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. Cochairpersons may by mutual agreement invite agency technical experts to participate in the work of the 

Committee.

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 fulfil 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 Co-chairperson will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart Co-chairperson on a 

regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in 

accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.
 A1-5

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;

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.

(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.
 A1-6

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 

respective 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.
A2-1

ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2013

CANADA-UNITED STATES
A2-2
A2-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE A2 - 5

CANADA

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 8

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 10

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

 DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE

 INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY A2 - 14

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

- POWER STATION AREA A2 - 16

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

- ASH LAGOON AREA

WATER LEVEL A2 - 18

WATER QUALITY A2 - 19

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 

 DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32
A2-4
A2-5

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.

Additional information has been or 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, ground-water 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 has been collected on either a routine or specific-studies basis by various 

agencies.
A2-6
A2-7

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2013

CANADA
A2-8

STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally 

published in surface-water-data publications.

Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada, Security Water Agency

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

1

*

11AE003**

(06178500)

East Poplar River at International Boundary

2 11AE013*** Cookson Reservoir near Coronach

3 11AE015*** Girard Creek near Coronach Cookson Reservoir

4 11AE014*** East Poplar River above Cookson Reservoir

5 Fife Lake Overflow****

6

*

11AE008

(06178000)

Poplar River at International Boundary

*

 International gauging station.

** Environment Canada assumed monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012.

***

 SWA took over the monitoring responsibility effective July 1, 1992.

**** Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Security Water Agency (SWA) during 

periods of outflow only. 
A2-9
A2-10

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

1 00SA11AE0008

Suspended

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data collected by: Sask Power

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

2

3

4

5

6

12386

Discontinued

12368

12377

Discontinued

12412

Discontinued

7904

East Poplar River at Culvert immediately below 

Cookson Reservoir

Cookson Reservoir near Dam

Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36

Girard Creek at Coronach, Reservoir Outflow

Fife Lake Outflow*

*Sampled only when outflow occurs for a 2-week period, which does not occur every year.
A2-11
A2-12

PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

ENVIRODAT*

Code

Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency

Station No. 1

10151

10111

13102

13302

07540

33108

56001

06201

05211

96360

48002

20113

06104

06901

06002

06301

17206

06717

24003

27002

36012

36002

02021

02041

06610

09117

06401

10602

17811

08501

26104

82002

12102

25104

07901

07651

10401

28002

07110

07603

10650

18XXX

08101

15901

15465

185XX

15423

19103

11250

011201

00210

34108

14108

11103

00211

16306

00201

02061

02073

23002

30005

10301

92111

Alkalinity-phenolphthalein

Alkalinity-total

Aluminum-dissolved

Aluminum-extracted

Ammonia-total

Arsenic-dissolved

Barium-total

Bicarbonates

Boron-dissolved

Bromoxynil

Cadmium-total

Calcium

Carbon-dissolved organic

Carbon-particulate

Carbon-total organic

Carbonates

Chloride

Chlorophyll a

Chromium-total

Cobalt-total

Coliform-fecal

Coliform-total

Colour

Conductivity

Cyanide

Fluoride-dissolved

Free Carbon Dioxide

Hardness

Hexachlorobenzene

Hydroxide

Iron-dissolved

Lead-total

Magnesium

Manganese-dissolved

N-particulate

N-total dissolved

NFR

Nickel-total

Nitrate/Nitrite

Nitrogen-total

Non-Carbonate Hardness

Organo Chlorines

Oxygen-dissolved

P-particulate

P-total dissolved

Phenoxy Herbicides

Phosphorus-total

Potassium

Percent Sodium

SAR

Saturation Index

Selenium-dissolved

Silica

Sodium

Stability Index

Sulphate

TDS

Temperature

Turbidity

Vanadium-total

Zinc-total

pH

Uranium

Potentiometric Titration

Potentiometric Titration

AA-Direct

AA-Direct

Automated Colourimetric

ICAP-hydride

AA-Direct

Calculated

ICAP

Gas Chromatography

AA Solvent Extraction

AA-Direct

Automated IR Detection

Elemental Analyzer

Calculated

Calculated

Automated Colourimetric

Spectrophotometric

AA-Solvent Extraction

AA-Solvent Extraction

Membrane Filtration

Membrane Filtration

Comparator

Wheatstone Bridge

Automated UV-Colourimetric

Electrometric

Calculated

Calculated

Gas Chromatography

Calculated

AA-Direct

AA-Solvent Extraction

AA-Direct

AA-Direct

Elemental Analyzer

Automated UV Colourimetric

Gravimetric

AA-Solvent Extraction

Colourimetric

Calculated

Calculated

Gas Chromatography

Winkler

Calculated

Automated Colourimetric

Gas Chromatography

Colourimetric (TRAACS)

Flame Emission

Calculated

Calculated

Calculated

ICAP-hydride

Automated Colourimetric

Flame Emission

Calculated

Automated Colourimetric

Calculated

Digital Thermometer

Nephelometry

AA-Solvent Extraction

AA-Solvent Extraction

Electrometric

Fluometric

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

* - Computer Storage and Retrieval System -- Environment Canada

AA - Atomic Absorption UV - Ultraviolet

NFR - Nonfilterable Residue ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. SUS – Suspended
A2-13

PARAMETERS

* 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; AA – Atomic Absorption; Pot – Potentiometric; tot – total; Pet – Petroleum;

fec – fecal; diss – dissolved; EXT – extract; NFR – Nonfilterable residue; NFR(F) – Nonfilterable residue, fixed;

ICAP – Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; (MIBK) – sample acidified and extracted with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone;

DIS - Discontinued.

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data Collected by: SaskPower

ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analytical method

Sampling Frequency 

Station No. 

2 3 4 5 6

10151 Alkalinity-phenol Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10101 Alkalinity-tot Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

13004 Aluminum-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

33004 Arsenic-tot Flameless AA DIS A DIS DIS

06201 Bicarbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS Q DIS DIS W

48002 Cadmium-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

20113 Calcium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06005 Carbon-tot Organic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06301 Carbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

17203 Chloride Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06711 Chlorophyll- „a‟ Spectrophotometry DIS Q DIS DIS

24004 Chromium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

36012 Coliform-fec Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

36002 Coliform-tot Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

02041 Conductivity Conductivity Meter DIS Q DIS DIS W

29005 Copper-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

09105 Fluoride Specific Ion Electrode DIS A DIS DIS

82002 Lead-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

12102 Magnesium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

80011 Mercury-tot Flameless-AA DIS A DIS DIS

42102 Molybdenum AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) DIS A DIS DIS

07015 N-TKN Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10401 NFR Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10501 NFR( F) Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

28002 Nickel-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS Q DIS DIS OF

07110 Nitrate + NO2 Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06521 Oil and Grease Pet. Ether Extraction DIS A DIS DIS

08102 Oxygen-diss Meter DIS Q DIS DIS OF

15406 Phosphorus-tot Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

19103 Potassium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

34005 Selenium-Ext Hydride generation DIS A DIS DIS

11103 Sodium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

16306 Sulphate Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10451 TDS Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

02061 Temperature Thermometer DIS Q DIS DIS OF

23004 Vanadium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

30005 Zinc-D Zinc-tot AA-So AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

10301 pH Electrometric DIS Q DIS DIS W
A2-14

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN

DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

Responsible Agency: Security Water Agency*

Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

Piezometer

Number

Location Tip of Screen

Elevation (m)

Perforation Zone

(depth in metres)

52

506B

507

509

510A

NW 14-1-27 W3

SW 4-1-27 W3

SW 6-1-26 W3

NW 11-1-27 W3

NW 1-1-28 W3

738.43

48.27

725.27

725.82

769.34

43-49 (in coal)

81-82 (in coal)

34 - 35 (in coal)

76-77 (in coal)

28-29 (in coal and clay)

*Data Collected by: SaskPower
A2-15
A2-16

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA--WATER LEVELS

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C525 Empress

C526 Empress

C527 Empress

C539 Empress

C540 Empress

C737 Empress

C739 Empress

C740 Empress

C741 Empress

C743 Empress

C756 Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA--WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C526 Empress

C540 Empress

C741 Empress
A2-17
A2-18

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA--WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

C534 Oxidized Till

C654 Unoxidized Till

C711 Oxidized Till

C712A Unoxidized Till

C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till

C712D Oxidized Till

C713 Oxidized Till

C714A Unoxidized Till

C714B Unoxidized Till

C714C Oxidized Till

C714D Oxidized Till

C714E Empress

C715 Oxidized Till

C717 Oxidized Till

C720 Oxidized Till

C721 Oxidized Till

C722 Oxidized Till

C723 Oxidized Till

C725 Oxidized Till

C726B Unoxidized Till

C726C Oxidized Till

C726E Empress

C728A Oxidized Till

C728C Mottled Till

C728D Oxidized Till

C728E Empress

C741 Empress

C742 Empress
A2-19

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA--WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C758 Intra Till Sand

C763A Mottled Till

C763B Oxidized Till

C763D Unoxidized Till

C763E Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

C534 Oxidized Till

C654 Unoxidized Till

C711 Oxidized Till

C712A Unoxidized Till

C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till

C712D Oxidized Till

C713 Oxidized Till

C714A Unoxidized Till

C714B Unoxidized Till

C714C Oxidized Till

C714D Oxidized Till

C714E Empress

C715 Oxidized Till

C717 Oxidized Till

C720 Oxidized Till

C721 Oxidized Till

C722 Oxidized Till

C723 Oxidized Till

C725 Oxidized Till

C726B Unoxidized Till
A2-20

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C726C Oxidized Till

C726E Empress

C728A Oxidized Till

C728C Mottled Till

C728D Oxidized Till

C728E Empress

C741 Empress

C742 Empress

C758 Intra Till Sand

C763A Mottled Till

C763B Oxidized Till

C763D Unoxidized Till

C763E Empress

 
A2-21
A2-22

Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 

Data Collected by: SaskPower

No. On Map Location Parameters Reporting Frequency

1 Coronach (Discontinued) Sulphur Dioxide Continuous monitoring with hourly 

averages as summary statistics.

Total Suspended

Particulate

24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, 

corresponding to the national air 

pollution surveillance sampling 

schedule. 

2 International Boundary Sulphur Dioxide Continuous monitoring with hourly 

averages as summary statistics.

Total Suspended 

Particulate

24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, 

corresponding to the national air 

pollution surveillance sampling 

schedule.

3 Poplar River Power Station Wind Speed and Direction Continuous monitoring with hourly 

averages as summary statistics 

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment

Pulsed fluorescence

Total Suspended Particulate Saskatchewan Environment

High Volume Method

 
A2-23
A2-24
A2-25

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2013

UNITED STATES
A2-26

STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: U.S. 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.

 

** Environment Canada assumed monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012.
A2-27
A2 - 28

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING -- Station Locations

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

No. On Map USGS Station No. STATION NAME

1 06178000 Poplar River at International Boundary

2 06178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary

PARAMETERS

Annual Sampling Frequency

Analytical

Code Parameter Analytical Method Site 1*

Site 2**

29801

00608

01002

00025

01020

01027

00915

00940

00095

00061

00900

00950

01051

00925

00613

00631

62855

00300

00400

00671

00665

00935

00931

80154

70331

80155

00955

00930

00945

70301

00010

00020

01092

Alkalinity - lab

Ammonia - diss

Arsenic - tot

Barometric pressure

Boron – diss

Cadmium - tot/rec

Calcium - diss

Chloride - diss

Conductivity

Discharge - inst

Hardness

Fluoride - diss

Lead - tot/rec

Magnesium - diss

Nitrate - diss

Nitrate + Nitrite - diss

Nitrogen, total

Oxygen-diss

pH

Phos, Ortho-diss

Phosphorous - tot

Potassium - diss

SAR

Sediment - conc.

Sediment - %<.063mm

Sediment - load

Silica - diss

Sodium - diss

Sulphate - diss

Total Dissolved Solids

Temp Water

Temp Air

Zinc - tot/rec

Fixed endpoint Titration

Colorimetric

ICP, MS

Barometer, field

ICP

ICP, MS

ICP, AES

IC

Electrometric, field

Direct measurement

Calculated

ISE

ICP, MS

ICP

Colorimetric

Colorimetric

Colorimetric

Oxygen membrane, field

Electrometric, field

Colorimetric

Colorimetric

ICP, AES

Calculated

Filtration-Gravimetric

Sieve

Calculated

ICP, AES

ICP, AES

IC 

Calculated

Stem Thermometer

Stem Thermometer

ICP, MS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

SUS

Samples collected obtained during the monthly periods: * -- March - April; May; June; July - September

** -- May; June; July; August - September

Abbreviations: AES - atomic emission spectroscopy; conc. – concentration; diss – dissolved; IC - ion exchange chromatography; ICP - inductively coupled 

plasma; ISE – ion-selective electrode; MS – mass spectroscopy ; Org – organic; phos. – phosphate; SAR – sodium adsorption ratio;

SUS – sampling suspended; tot – total; tot/rec - total recoverable
A2 - 29
A2 - 30

SYMBOLS:

** - Computer storage and retrieval system -- EPA ICP – Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit

cm – centimetre ICP – MS – Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry diss – dissolved m – metre

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING -- Station Locations

Map

Number

Well

Location

Total Depth

(m)

Casing

Diameter 

(cm)

Aquifer Perforation Zone 

(m)

7

16

24

37N47E12BBBB

37N46E3ABAB

37N48E5AB

44.1

25.5

9.6

10.2

10.2

10.2

Hart Coal

Fort Union

Alluvium

39-44

23-25

9.2-9.6

Parameters

Storet ** Code Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No.

0041001106

01095

50250

01005

01010

00440

01020

82298

01025

00915

00445

00940

01030

01035

00095

01040

00950

09000

01046

01049

01130

00925

01056

01060

01065

00630

00671

00400

00935

00931

01145

00955

01075

00930

01080

00445

01057

01150

28011

01085

00190

01160

*

70301

Alkalinity

Aluminum dissolved

Antimony dissolved

Arsenic dissolved

Barium dissolved

Beryllium dissolved

Bicarbonates

Boron-diss

Bromide

Cadmium,dissolved

Calcium

Carbonates

Chloride

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Conductivity

Copper, dissolved

Fluoride

Hardness

Iron-diss

Lead-diss

Lithium-diss

Magnesium

Manganese-diss

Molybdenum

Nickel, dissolved

Nitrate

Orthophosphate

pH

Potassium

SAR

Selenium-diss

Silica

Silver, dissolved

Sodium

Strontium-diss

Sulphate

Thallium, dissolved

Titanium, dissolved

Uranium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissoved

Zinc-diss

Zirconium, dissolved

Sum of diss. Constituents

TDS

Calculated

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Electrometric Titration

Emission Plasma, ICP

Ion Chromatography

ICP or ICP-MS

Emission Plasma

Electrometric Titration

Ion Chromatography

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Wheatstone Bridge

ICP or ICP-MS

Ion Chromatography

Calculated

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Ion Chromatography

Ion Chromatography

Electrometric

Emission Plasma, ICP

Calculated

ICP-MS

Emission Plasma, ICP-MS

ICP-MS

Emission Plasma, ICP

Emission Plasma, ICP

Ion Chromatography

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Emission Plasma, ICP

ICP or ICP-MS

Calculated

Calculated

Sample collection is annually for

all locations identified above.

The analytical method descriptions

are those of the Montana Bureau of

Mines and Geology Laboratory where

the samples are analyzed.
A2 - 31
A2 - 32

GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

No. on Map Montana Ground Water

Information Center ID No.

Sampling

5 GWIC ID 4321 Determine water levels quarterly

6 GWIC ID 4227 Determine water levels quarterly

7 GWIC ID 4267 Determine water levels quarterly

8 GWIC ID 4287 Determine water levels quarterly

9 GWIC ID 4274 Determine water levels quarterly

10 GWIC ID 4340 Determine water levels quarterly

11 GWIC ID 4329 Determine water levels quarterly

13 GWIC ID 4248 Determine water levels quarterly

16 GWIC ID 4211 Determine water levels quarterly

17 GWIC ID 4297 Determine water levels quarterly

19 GWIC ID 4290 Determine water levels quarterly

22 GWIC ID 4261 Determine water levels quarterly

23 GWIC ID 124105 Determine water levels quarterly

24 GWIC ID 144835 Determine water levels quarterly
A2 - 33
A2 - 34
A3-1

ANNEX 3

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD,

POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976)
A3-2
A3-3

*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 confluence 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 

decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 

cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to 

the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In 

addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (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 

decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters 

(7,500 acre-feet), 

* Canada-United States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment, Poplar River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, 

International Souris-Red Rivers Board, Poplar River Task Force, 43 pp.
A3-4

then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057 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 

decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon 

demand at any time during the 12-month period commencing June 1st.

(iii) 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 decameters (7,500 

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

decameters (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 decameters (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 1,230 cubic 

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

demand at any time during the 12-month period commencing 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.
A4-1 

ANNEX 4

CONVERSION FACTORS
A4-2 
A4-3 

CONVERSION FACTORS

ac = 4,047 m3= 0.04047 ha

ac-ft = 1,233.5 m3= 1.2335 dam3

oC = 5/9(o

F-32)

cm = 0.3937 in.

cm

2

= 0.155 in2

dam3= 1,000 m3= 0.8107 ac-ft

ft3= 28.3171 x 10-3m

3

ha = 10,000 m2= 2.471 ac

hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft

hm3= 1 x 106m

3

I. gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 x 10-3tons

km = 0.62137 miles

km2= 0.3861 mi2

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

2

= 10.765 ft2

m

3

= 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft3= 219.97 I. gal= 264.2 U.S. gal

m

3

/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 substance/24.45) mg/m3