S Poplar River

333.91 Bilateral

*2Sprar Monitoring

\C\<}<fc annual report of

the 30vem«ents of

Canada, United

States,

1988 ANNUAL REPORT

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION to the

FEB '< 1990

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MONTANA 59620 GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1988

LEASE RETU

October 1989
Montana State Library

3 0864 1004 5762 4
1988 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1988

October 1989

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 1988, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill

the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar Cooperative

Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. Through the exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on March 12, 1987, the Arrangement was extended to March 1991. Water quantity, water quality, and air quality relevant to the International

Boundary were monitored in accordance to the 1987 Technical Monitoring Schedule.

The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. Herein is the report

of activities of 1988 and the proposed monitoring schedule for 1989.

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 1988, the Committee finds that the measured conditions are within the norms of the accepted objectives.

During 1988, monitoring continued with only minor changes in site locations and

schedules from 1987. Coal mining will continue in 1989 west of Girard Creek in

a northwesterly direction. Prairie Coal Limited plans to move the drag lines in the latter part of 1989 and begin mining the South Block.

Yours sincerely,

J./R. Knapton

Chairman, United States Section

R. A. Halliday

Chairman, Canadian Section

R. E. Driear J) Member, United States Section

/'d. a. f

f Member, Canadian Section

-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL i TABLE OF CONTENTS ii

1988 HIGHLIGHTS v INTRODUCTION 1 POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 4 Operations 4 Construction ..... 5 Mining 5 SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 6 Streamflow 6 Quality Control 7 Reservoir Storage 7 Apportionment 8 Minimum Flows 8 On-Demand Release 9

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 10 East Poplar River 10 Total Dissolved Solids 11 Boron 13 Other Water Quality Variables 14 Girard Creek and Cookson Reservoir 17 Quality Control 17 Review of Flow-Weighted Objectives 18

GROUND WATER QUANTITY 20 Saskatchewan 20 Coal Mine Dewatering 20 Water Levels 21 Montana • 21

GROUND WATER QUALITY .... 24 Saskatchewan 24 Water Quality in the Tills 24 Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 26 Montana 28 ASH LAGOON QUANTITY AND QUALITY 32

AIR QUALITY 35 Saskatchewan 35 Saskatchewan Environment 35 Saskatchewan Power Corporation 37 Montana 38

REFERENCES CITED 39

-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

Page

Table 1 - 1988 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2 4

2 - Simultaneous Streamflow Measurement Results 7

3 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1988 8

4 - Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions,

1988 Sampling Program, East Poplar River

at the International Boundary 16

5 - 1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities . . 20

6 - Poplar River Power Station Ash System, 1988 Calculated

Seepage Rates 32

7 - Sulfation Rate of Sulfur Trioxide in Milligrams per 100 Square Centimeters per Day at Five Locations During

1988 38 Figure 1 - Discharge During 1988 Compared with Median Discharge for

1951-1980 for Poplar River at International Boundary. . 6

2 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum

Flow 9

3 - 1988 Total Dissolved Solids Grab Sample Data, East Poplar

River at International Boundary 11

4 - Total Dissolved Solids Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration, East Poplar River at International

Boundary 12

5 - Total Dissolved Solids Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted

Concentration, East Poplar River at International

Boundary 12

6 - 1988 Boron Grab Sample Data, East Poplar River at International Boundary 13

7 - Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, East Poplar River at International Boundary 15

8 - Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, East Poplar River at International Boundary 15

9 - Cone of Depression In the Hart Coal Seam from Dewatering

Activities as of December, 1988 22

10 - Water Levels of Two Selected Wells in the United States . 23 -iii-
TABLES OF CONTENTS (continued)

Page

Figure 11 - Total Dissolved Solids in Selected Piezometers in the Tills 25

12 - Total Dissolved Solids in Selected Piezometers in the

Empress Gravels 2 7

13 - Saskatchewan Maximum Hourly SO2 Air Quality Data,

Coronach Water Treatment Plant, 1983-1988 36

14 - Saskatchewan Maximum Daily SO2 Air Quality Data,

Coronach Water Treatment Plant, 1983-1988 36

Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Canada-United States

2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1989, CanadaUnited States

3 - Reports Reviewed during 1988 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

-iv-
1988 HIGHLIGHTS

The Poplar River Power Station completed its fifth full year of operation in 1988. The two 300 megawatt coal-fired units generated

4,568,800 gross megawatt hours of electricity, up 5 percent from 1987 and 15 percent from 1986. Following the trend of past years, plant

startups decreased, resulting in a decreased oil consumption of 200

tonnes compared to 1987.

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 1988 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1987 annual report.

Regional drought conditions resulted in streamflows being much below

normal in 1988. The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River

at the International Boundary for 1988 was only 23 percent of the mean annual flow since completion of the Morrison Dam in 1975. However, the United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar

River throughout the year and all aspects of the International Joint

Commission's apportionment recommendations were 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.

One excursion of a minor nature of other water quality objectives

was measured on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

Quality control sample splits showed improved comparability between

Canadian and United States laboratories.
The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewatering

remained about the same distance north of the International Boundary.

Pumpage from the mine had a 37 percent decrease compared to pumpage

in 1987.

The total estimate of seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing pond was 0.90 litre per second, much less than seepage limits proposed by

the International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate

front was calculated to have advanced 10.79 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.

-vi-
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 4 years to March 1991.

The Committee is composed of representatives of the Government of the United States of America, State of Montana, and 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 1988, 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. R.A. Halliday

Environment Canada

Chairman, Canadian Section

Mr. D.A. Fast Environment Canada

Member, Canadian Section

Mr. J.R. Totton

Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte

Ex-Officio Member, Saskatchewan
- 2 -

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.

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, with the report for 1988 being the eighth 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.

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 forthcoming year.

The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change.
- 3 -

Another responsibility of the Committee includes an ongoing quarterly

exchange of data acquired through the monitoring programs. The ex- change of monitoring information was initiated with the first quarter

of 1981, and is an expansion of the informal quarterly information ex- change 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 1988 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.
- 4 -

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION

Operations

The 1988 operating statistics for the two units at Poplar River Power

Station are shown in Table 1. The capacity factor of 96.2 percent

of Unit No. 2 was the highest since the unit was commissioned. A major repair of the boiler for Unit No. 1 during the fourth quarter

accounts for the lower capacity factor of Unit No. 1.

Table 1. 1988 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No . 2

Unit No. 1 Unit No. 2

Hours of Operation 6,958 8,458

Gross MWH Generated 2,083,500 2,485,300

Availability (hours) (percent) 79.21 96.29

Capacity Factor (percent) 79.6 96.2 Number of Start-ups 10 6 Coal Consumed (tonnes) 1,787,510 2,129,321

Oil Consumed (tonnes) 1,412 747 Hours in Period 8,784 8,784

The average sulphur content of the coal was 0.60 percent. Analyses were conducted by the Poplar River Power Station laboratory. Analyses

of a monthly duplicate coal sample by an independent laboratory

indicated, on average, a 0.1 percent lower value. Testing was done

in accordance with ASTM procedure D3176. The sulphur content of the fuel oil was 0.80 percent.
- 5 -

Two reportable spills occurred during 1988, April 13 and July 27. Both spills involved the discharge of ash/ash water. The April 13, 1988 spill resulted from a failed gasket on ash line "C" by the west

side of Ash Lagoon No. 1. Ash/ash water in the amount of 15 cubic meters (nr) was released and all was contained in a small area.

The 1988 July 27 spill occurred because of an eroded elbow on ash

line "C" west of the ash recirculation building. About 250 m

3 of ash/ash water were released. None reached the reservoir. To reduce

the occurrence of an ash/ash water spill in the future, two of the three ash lines from the power station and the lagoons were completely

changed in the third quarter of 1988. The Poplar River Power Station

has also instituted an ash line thickness monitoring program to keep

track of the condition of the ash lines.

Operation of the ash lagoons was similar to 1987. Most of the ash

was directed to Ash Lagoon No. 1 during 1988. Ash Lagoon No . 3 was

used to a greater extent in 1988. Surcharging continued on Ash Lagoon

No . 1 . Monitoring of the surcharge ash will be started in 1989.

The revegetation project started in 1987 was continued and expanded

in 1988. Several species continued to show promise. Testing will

continue in 1989.

Construction

There was no construction activity during 1988.

Mining

Coal mining continued to the west of Girard Creek and will continue in

a northwesterly direction in 1989. The South Block infrastructure

was developed in 1988, including construction of the causeway crossing the East Poplar River. Prairie Coal Limited plans to move the draglines to the South Block by the end of June 1989 to begin mining

operations there. Saskatchewan Power Corporation plans to continue

dewatering operations at the abandoned mine site to supplement the water supply in Cookson Reservoir.
- 6 -

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY

Streamf low

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was much below normal during 1988,

assuming the recorded flow of the Poplar River at the International

Boundary is a good indicator of natural runoff conditions in the basin. The March to October recorded flow volume at the gauge was

only 1,180 cubic decametres (dam3 ), or 7 percent of the long-term

average. The volume is the smallest since records began in 1931 and

indicative of general drought conditions in the great plains. A comparison of the flows of 1988 with those of the 1951-80 median

flow is shown in Figure 1.

10 O

Oui

to

oc

Ld

O-

(/) UI

OHO

CDo

o

ce: <

o

in

I 1— 1 I

MEDIAN OF MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1951-80 - MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1988

0.1 t

0.01

0.001MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

-O

OCT

Figure 1. Discharge during 1988 Compared with Median Discharge for 1951-1980 for the Poplar River at International Boundary
- 7 -

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

Boundary for 1988 was 2,560 dam 3, or 23 percent of the mean annual

flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975.

Quality Control

A set of simultaneous streamflow measurements was made on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary on May 17, 1988, by per- sonnel of Environment Canada (EC), and the U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS). Measurement results were within allowable differences. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Simultaneous Streamflow Measurement Results
- 8 -

Table 3. Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1988

Elevation Contents

Date (1988) (m) (dam3

) January 1 751.822 34,700

March 23 (maximum) 751.829 34,700

December 31 750.491 26,400

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43,400

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 re- garding apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although

not officially adopted by the two countries, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adhered to the Apportionment Recom- mendations 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, 1988 was 1,160 dam3

. 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 0.028 cubic metre per second (m 3 /s) from June 1, 1988 to May 31, 1989, on the East Poplar at the International Boundary. The minimum flow of 0.028 m

3 /s for the first 5 months of 1988

had previously been determined on the basis of March 1 to May 31, 1987 Poplar River flow volume.

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

Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the IJC are shown in

Figure 2.
- 9 -

i r

0.028 m3/t

Apportionment recommendation for minimum flow'

J I I L- JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

1988

Figure 2. Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River

at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum

Flow.

On-Demand Release

Based on the apportionment recommendation of the IJC, the United

States is entitled to an on-demand volume of 3 70 dam3 at any time from

June 1, 1988 to May 31, 1989. As of December 31, 1988 Montana had

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

1987 of 370 dam3 was requested on March 21, 1988, to be delivered

May 1 to 30. A volume of 488 dam3 was delivered during this period.
- 10 -

SURFACE WATER QUALITY

East Poplar River

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 mg/L for boron and

1500 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 1000 mg/L or less for total dissolved solids

in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

.

For the period prior to 1982, three-month moving flow-weighted

concentrations (FWC) for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) have

been calculated solely from monthly monitoring results. Since the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily

in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, allowing

estimates of daily boron and TDS concentration to be derived from

regression relationships with specific conductance. Thus, threemonth FWCs for the period 1982 to 1988 have been calculated from

both the results of monthly monitoring and the daily concentration

estimates .

The Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the approach that

for the purposes of comparison with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and TDS data are best graphically plotted as 5- year moving flow-weighted concentrations which are advanced one month

at a time. Prior to this year, long-term averages were calculated
- 11 -

from a 5 year period in which 2.5 years preceded and 2.5 years fol- lowed each plotted point. The FWCs in this report are calculated

from the five year period preceding each plotted point. For example,

the FWC for December 1988 refers to the FWC of the period December

1983 to December 1988. It should be emphasized that the calculations

have been based on the results of all samples collected, and not restricted to samples collected during March to October.

Total Dissolved Solids

Grab sample TDS concentrations during 1988 ranged from 859 milligrams

per liter (mg/L) (September 7) to 1,169 mg/L (January 6). The 1988 TDS results are presented in Figure 3.

1200T

1100

1000+

\ 900-

a 800

700-

600

1988 D 1989

Figure 3. 1988 TDS Grab Sample Data, East Poplar River at International Boundary

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L . A time plot

of the three-month moving FWCs for TDS is presented in Figure 4. No exceedences of the objective have been observed during any three

month period since 1975. The three-month FWCs moved within a narrow

range near 900 mg/L during 1988, reflecting lower than normal discharges during the spring period.
- 12 -

Short-Term Objective (1500 mg/U

Fi

from sample analysis

+ from regression gure 4. TDS Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, East Poplar River at International Boundary.

1BOO--

1700-

1600--

1000--

1400--

1SOO--

12O0-- 1100"

1000-

900-" 00--

700-" 800--

500--

400--

3O0-" 200-"

100- —

Long-Term Obiective (1000 mg/L)

Figure 5. TDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, East Poplar River at International Boundary.
- 13 -

Five-year FWCs for TDS (Figure 5) remained below the long-term objective of 1,000 mg/L. A 200 mg/L increase in the five-year FWCs occurred in early 1988. This corresponds to a loss of the influence of high 1983 spring flows. A similar increase was seen during 1987, a remnant of 1982 discharge. Relatively low spring discharges have

occurred since 1984; it is expected that the five-year FWCs for the next few years will level off if spring discharges remain low, or decrease if high runoff years occur.

The relationship between TDS and specific conductance generated from

data collected to the end of 1988 was as follows:

TDS = (0.640 x specific conductance) + 10.875

(R 2 = 0.87, n=350)

Boron

During 1988, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary varied from 1.7 mg/L (May 17) to 2.6 mg/L

(January 6) (Figure 6).

2.8-r

2.6

2.4 - 2.2 -

2 -

1.8-

1.6

• • • •

• •

1988 1989

Figure 6. 1988 Boron Grab Sample Data, East Poplar River at International Boundary.
- 14 -

Three-month boron FWCs for the period of record are shown in Figure

7. The short term objective of 3.5 mg/L boron has not been exceeded

in the period 1975-1987. (The similarity in shape between the TDS

and boron plots is an indication of the major influence of discharge

in FWC functions.)

The five-year boron FWCs appearing in Figure 8 remained well below

the long term objective of 2.5 mg/L boron. As was the case with TDS,

the five-year calculations for boron were significantly influenced by

high discharge during the springs of 1982 and 1983.

The relationship between boron and specific conductance at the East Poplar River sampling location during the period 1975-1988 is described by the equation:

boron = (0.00148 x specific conductance ) - 0.285

(R2=0.73, n=350)

Other Water Quality Variables

Table 4 contains the multi-purpose water quality objectives for the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC.

One exceedence of the multi-purpose objectives occurred in 1988. The 4.0 mg/L objective for dissolved oxygen was exceeded on July 15,

1988, when 3.6 mg/L was measured by the USGS. The sample was collected

at 8 a.m. in mid summer when oxygen depletion by heavy algae growth

would be expected. A reading by Environment Canada 9 days earlier at mid day had indicated 7.5 mg/L dissolved oxygen. A review of Saskatchewan Power Corporation automonitor data has shown that very

low dissolved oxygen was present during the first half of July, with

concentrations on occasion dropping as low as 1.0 mg/L. A number of winter measurements by both the USGS and Environment Canada were in

the 5.0 mg/L range, just above the objective.
- 15

Short-Term Objective (3.5 mg/L)

from sample analysis

from regression

Figure 7. Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration,

East Poplar River at International Boundary.

4.0--

S.8--

3.8-- 3.4--

3.2--

3.0--

O) 2.4-- — 2.8-- 2.0- O I-*" - m 1.4--

Lonq-Term Objective (2.5 mq/L)

l.o-- o.a--

o.e--

0.4-"

0.2-

Figure 8, Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration,

East Poplar River at International Boundary.
- 16 -

Table 4. Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1988 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the International

Boundary (units in mg/L except as otherwise noted)

Parameter Objective

No. of samples USA Canada Excursions

Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments Boron - total

Total dissolved solids

3.5, 2.5 (1) 14 1500, 1000 (1) 14 1414 nil

nil

Objectives recommended by Board to IJC Aluminum-dissolved
- 17 -

Environment Canada monitored the East Poplar River for phenoxy-acid

herbicides and organochlorine compounds during 1987. Trace concentrations of MCPA (in one of twelve samples), 2,4-DP (in one of twelve

samples), and alpha-BHC (in three of twelve samples) were recorded.

Traces of these compounds are not uncommon in prairie waters, and the concentrations measured are not considered a hazard. All other

organic compounds monitored were reported as being below analytical

detection limits.

Girard Creek and Cookson Reservoir

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety reported quarterly on the water quality at four locations in the Poplar River Basin during 1987. Sites included Girard Creek south of Coronach, Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36, Cookson Reservoir near Morrison Dam, and East Poplar River

immediately below Morrison Dam. Sampling at these sites was carried

out in February, May, August, and November.

A review of the data from these locations showed concentrations of all water quality variables to be within the recommended water quality

objectives for the East Poplar River (listed in Table 4).

Quality Control

Quality control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary on May 17, 1988. Participating agencies

included the United States Geological Survey, Environment Canada,

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety, and Saskatchewan Power.

Sets of triplicate samples were split from USGS sampling churns and

submitted to the respective agency laboratories for analyses. Pro- cedures were identical to those used during 1986 and 1987.
- 18 -

The results were subsequently distributed to all participants for

review by both field and analytical personnel. The majority of parameters showed good reproducibility. The results for a number of trace metals and some nutrients were more variable, with order of magnitude

differences existing between agencies in some cases. It is thought

that much of this variability relates to differences in analytical

technique (for example, atomic absorption versus inductively-coupled

argon plasma). These annual quality control exchanges will prove very valuable to any future interpretive undertakings.

Review of Flow-Weighted Objectives

During 1988, Environment Canada funded a study to assess the appro- priateness of using flow-weighted objectives for the East Poplar

River. The study also included the documentation of the current flow-weighted algorithm, and an assessment of the suitability, significance, and representivity of the method.

The report titled, "Evaluation of the Transboundary TDS and Boron Water Quality Objectives for the Poplar River" prepared by Hydro-Qual

Consultants, Inc. (October 1988) contained the following recommendations:

1. Flow-weighting should be discontinued, as the relationship between

flow-weighted concentration and the toxic effects associated with

irrigation is weak.

2. Since the likelihood of exceedance of the boron and TDS and boron

objectives now appears to be small, it was recommended that the

monitoring effort on the East Poplar River be reduced.
- 19 -

3. If flow-weighting is to be maintained, it was recommended that flow-weighted moving averages be calculated using geometric mean

flows, and that the regression relationship between parameters of interest and conductance be derived from the daily conductance

readings, rather than from the monthly grab sample results.

The report and recommendations are being studied by the Bilateral

Monitoring Committee and will be on the agenda at a future meeting.

However, the Committee determined that sampling at East Poplar

River at International Boundary would be decreased by 50 percent

(bimonthly sampling from both the USGS and EC would yield 12 samples annually rather than the previously collected 24).

Copies of the report are available on request from Environment Canada, Water Quality Branch, Regina, Saskatchewan.
- 20 -

GROUND WATER QUANTITY

Saskatchewan

Coal Mine Dewatering

Due to coal mine dewatering activities, a total of 3,492 dam3 (2,381

acre-feet) of ground water was discharged during 1988. This is down

by 2,040 dam3 (1,650 acre-feet) from 1987 (37 percent). A summary

of the monthly pumpages from all the coal dewatering wells is shown

in Table 5.

Table 5. 1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities

Pumpages

Month Total (dam 3) Rate (L/s)

January

February

March

April

May

June July

August

September

October

November

December

293
- 21 -

Water Levels

Two piezometric pressure maps, dated June and December 1988, were

prepared by Prairie Coal Ltd. Figure 9 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 1988 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.

Ground water was discharged at 16 locations during 1988. 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.

There are indications that ground water levels have risen and are causing salinity problems to agricultural lands to the south and west

of Morrison Dam. Saskatchewan Power Corporation is considering a plan to dewater the area with a network of pumping wells. Pumpage

would be into Cookson Reservoir.

Montana

Location of the Montana monitoring wells is shown in the technical

monitoring schedule. During 1988, quarterly water levels were

obtained from 21 wells located in Montana. To illustrate past trends,

hydrographs for wells 5 and 10, which are completed in alluvium, are presented in Figure 10. The water levels for all wells for the period of record fluctuated within one foot of their average during

1988. These variations are mainly due to regional climatic conditions

and not dewatering. Over the period of record, no observable trend

in water levels is apparent.
- 22 \
_ 23 - ++
- 24 -

GROUND WATER QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ground water sampling continued in 1988 at the locations specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedule.

Water Quality in the Tills

The overall quality of ground water from the tills is expressed in Figure 11 and as plots of TDS -vs- time for each piezometer for the period of record. Higher and more variable TDS concentrations are associated with the tills, compared to the Empress Gravels.

At location 2a just north of the polishing pond, piezometer C712B

shows an increase in boron concentration from less than 1 mg/L in

July, 1987 to 6.93 in November, 1988. TDS in piezometer C712B has

shown considerable variation since monitoring began in 1980.

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 over the period of record. Although these two sites are close together, there are large differences in the quality of water from C718 and C719. The much higher sulphate concentrations

in C719 compared to C718 may be due to the presence of gypsum, distributed unevenly throughout the till.

At location 8a, west of cell No. 1 of the ash lagoon, piezometers

C726A, C726B, C726C, and C726D display no consistent changes in water quality since 1987.
- 25 -

I?

7 -

6 -

i

3 -

+ °

a a

* o

° „

+

' + + D

a + n a

+

= . .

4

• .

i I T

i

1 1 1 1 1—i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 r

Jun-60 Aug-81 S«p-82 Oct-B3 Nov-84 Dac-66 Jon-87 F*b-88 Apr-89

lima D c719 + e712b e726c
- 26 -

At location 9a, at the west end of the polishing lagoon data are reported for piezometer C728A, which was dry from 1980 to 1987. Uranium values in the piezometers at location 8a are quite high,

relative to other locations. Piezometer C728B shows no consistent

water-quality trends over the period of record. Piezometer C728C may

show a vaguely-defined long-term trend to lower boron and aluminum,

and higher sulphate concentrations over the entire period 1981-1985,

but these species have been relatively constant since 1985. Monitoring data obtained over 1986-1988 show that the uranium concentration

in C728C has remained fairly constant, and that the long-term trend

to higher concentration postulated in the 1988 report did not occur.

Piezometer C534 is located to the south of the ash lagoon. The TDS concentration has remained fairly constant at around 4,500 mg/L

.

The aluminum concentration data for 1988 from C534 remained below

the 0.01 mg/L detection limit. No trends are seen in the other

species monitored.

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels

Figure 12 shows that there are no significant trends in TDS in the Empress Gravels. Piezometer C726E at location 8a, west of ash lagoon

cell No. 1, displays a greater variability in TDS concentration than

the other piezometers, possibly due to variable recharge from the overlying tills under certain conditions.

Ground water-quality characteristics at locations 2a and 9a (piezometers C726E and C728E, respectively) are generally similar. Boron remains consistently higher in C728E (near 1.2 mg/L) than in C726E

(near 0.7 mg/L).

At location C533, south of the ash lagoon, there are no trends evident in any of the water-quality parameters monitored.
1.3

EI?

I

if

1.2 -

1.1 -

1 -

0.8 -

0.8 -

0.7 -

0.6

05 -

0.4

_ 27 _ a

D

+ n a

5

D

+

D * * OB? 5

+

+ + + : *? +

~t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 r

Jun-60 Aug-81 Sop-82 Oct-63 Nov-84 Doc-85 Jon-87 Fob-88 Apr-89

n c741 Tlmo + c728o c533

1.4

1.3 -

1.2 -

1.1 -

1 -

0.9

0.8 -

0.7 -

0.6 -

0.8 -

0.4

+ + DQ + n D

n d + D D

+

-t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 r

Jun-80 Aug-81 Sop-82 Oct-83 Nov-84 Doc -85 Jon-87 F«b-88 Apr-89

e742

Tlmo + c726e Figure 12. Total Dissolved Solids in Selected Piezometers in the Empress Gravels (piezometer numbers and symbols indicated

below each graph)
- 28 -

At location 18 (piezometer C741), situated near the southwest end of Morrison Dam, there are no trends discernible over the past three years. At location 21 (piezometer C742) there are likewise no noteworthy trends in water quality.

Montana

Samples collected and analyzed in 1988 show that previous trends are being maintained and no outstanding anomalies have been noted. Data

from the initial group of wells that have been sampled since 1980 are internally consistent. The second group of wells, first sampled as a group in 1985, have data which show minor changes. Annual sampling

does not constitute substantial development and these minor shifts may simply represent the diminishing construction effects of "delayed

equilibration."

Well 16, reported to be completed in a gravel, has a total depth of 85 feet. Analyses of the water from this well have a trend of decreasing hardness, sulfate, and TDS, coupled with a stable sodium

concentration and increasing sodium adsorption ratios (SARs) and

alkalinity. The low alkaline earth concentration (Ca=13.4 mg/L,

Mg=6.5 mg/L) and elevated sodium concentration (220 mg/L) are not typical of the Empress Gravels. The low chloride concentration

eliminates upward leakage from the Fox Hills/Hell Creek aquifer as a possible explanation. Thus, the water chemistry is a bit of an enigma.
- 29 -

The relatively low SAR values and sodium concentrations of less than

100 mg/L associated with the first group of coal wells is in distinct

contrast with coal well data from other eastern coal fields in Montana and the second group of wells at this site. These samples may represent waters in the recharge portion of the flow system, alluvial

recharge, or a separate flow system. Because the coals are thin, and

the monitoring wells south of the border are deep, sealing materials

possibly did not isolate permeable units adjacent to the coal bed

that was the monitoring target during drilling and well installation.

Alternatively, the chemical differences in the analytical results may

be the result of ground water interaction with the overburden materials (Fort Union or Ravenscrag Formations). The value of the monitoring wells is not decreased so long as consideration is given to the above conditions. Using the first group of wells completed in

the coal as a control group, the September 1988 samples show the

following results:

Well
- 30 -

The second group of monitoring wells, completed in coal and located

essentially to the west of the first group, has distinctly higher

sodium levels in four of the five wells as evidenced by the September

1988 sample results:

Well
- 31 -

In summary, the differences in chemistry seen from samples of wells

completed within the coal zone(s) are not unreasonable, as the coals pinch out against the Roncott platform. Water from well 16 is

developing a chemistry indicative of the coal zone in the western

half of the study area. This type of chemistry is most likely the result of completing this shallow (85 feet) well in a thin stringer

of the Coronach Coal, rather than in the clastic portion of the

Ravenscrag Formation.
- 32 -

ASH LAGOON QUANTITY AND QUALITY

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 1988, the sluiced ash was generally directed to either the north end of Lagoon No . 1 or the southeast corner of Lagoon No. 3. For the former, the operating series sequence is Ash

Lagoon No. 1, Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the polishing pond. When ash is directed to Ash Lagoon No. 3, the normal series operation is Ash

Lagoon No. 3, Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the polishing pond. Water from

the polishing pond is returned to the plant for sluicing.

During 1988, maximum and minimum water depths were 5.3 and 4.6 m

in Ash Lagoon No. 1, 4.6 and 3.2 m in Ash Lagoon No. 2, 1.6 and 1.2 m in Ash Lagoon No. 3, and 4.6 and 2.3 m in the Polishing Lagoon.

Seepage calculations were made in 1988 using the methods developed by

T.A. Prickett, P.E., of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the calculations

for Ash Lagoons No. 1, 2, and 3 and the Polishing Lagoon are shown

in Table 6.

Table 6. Poplar River Power Station Ash System, 1988 Calculated

Seepage Rates

Source Rate (L/s)

Polishing Lagoon 0.313

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.246

Ash Lagoon No.

2

0.317

Ash Lagoon No. 3 0.022

Total Seepage 0.898
- 33 -

The 1988 calculated seepage has Increased from that calculated for

1987. The calculated total seepage, however, remains 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 IJC. The calculated permeability liners for Ash

Lagoons No. 1 and 2 and the Polishing Lagoon was of the same order

of magnitude (4 to 28.7 x 109 cm/s) as originally calculated by T.A. Prickett. The calculated liner permeability for Ash Lagoon No. 3 Q North was 10.6 x 10 cm/s. The consulting geotechnical engineer

for the Poplar River Power Station has recommended that the method

of seepage calculation be replaced with a more technologically advanced method of seepage analysis using computer technology. This

recommendation is being considered and may be implemented in 1989.

The advancement of the ground water front toward the reservoir in the oxidized till was calculated to be 10.79 m since the lagoons were

initially filled, which is an increase of 2.48 m since 1987. The front in the Empress Gravel formation was calculated to have advanced

1032 m southeast of the lagoons, an increase of 120 m since 1987. Examination of the chemistry of water from the Empress Gravel

formation and till generally shows no significant changes attributable

to lagoon seepage except for increasing boron levels at one location.

Monitoring will be continued and remedial action will be undertaken

if required. Leachate flow into Cookson Reservoir and into the East Poplar River, however, has not been measurable.

The Saskatchewan Department of Environment and Public Safety requires

that the Saskatchewan 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 1988. The geotechnical consultant indicated that

the ash lagoon dykes and liners have good integrity and the ash is contained effectively. The consultant noted that the lagoon system

is performing as designed. Some recommendations were made regarding

remedial measures for erosion protection and continued monitoring.
- 34 -

The Saskatchewan Power Corporation intends to review and implement

the recommendations during 1989. The freeboard requirements were

not exceeced during 1988. The Saskatchewan Power Corporation con- tinues to experiment with the surcharging of dry ash into the lagoons.

The experimental program began in 1987 to determine suitable types

of vegetation for the exposed ash continued in 1988. Three species

of grass have shown good results and will be further tested in 1989.

The Saskatchewan Power Corporation has, since May 1983, analyzed

filtered ash lagoon water samples to obtain appropriate information

on potential leachate quality. Generally, the water quality data

continue to show increases in the ash and polishing lagoons for

sodium, potassium, sulphate, fluoride, boron, and molybdenum; and

continued variability in the levels of uranium. The changes are to

be expected in a closed system of this type.
- 35 -

AIR QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Environment

Ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) monitoring began in Coronach in 1979. To date few high concentrations have been recorded. The monitoring site

(Coronach Water Treatment Plant) is located 5.0 kilometres north of the power plant, on the southern outskirts of the town of Coronach. There

were no recorded violations of Saskatchewan Environment and Public

Safety's hourly or 24 hour standards of 0.17 parts per million (ppm)

and 0.06 ppm, respectively, in 1988. The highest recorded hourly

value of 0.082 ppm was recorded on August 15 at 1200 hours, as compared

to 0.071 ppm recorded in September of 1987. Weather information gained

from the site indicated that winds at the time were blowing from the northeast. As the power plant is located south of the monitoring

location, it can be discounted as the source. The largest 24-hour

average readings of 0.009 ppm occurred on April 15, May 13 and August

15 and were identical to the highest 24-hour average reading recorded

in 1987. Downtime for the monitor during the 12 month period was 4.0 percent, mainly due to an episode of windblown damage and a short

datalogger malfunction. Figures 13 and 14 show, in graphical form,

maximum hourly and daily (24 hour) readings obtained at the monitoring

station during the last five years.

Suspended particulate concentrations obtained from a high volume monitor

at the same site for the 12 month period did not exceed Saskatchewan

Environment and Public Safety's 24 hour average standard of 120 micro-

's grams per cubic metre (ug/m /24 hrs.). The highest reading of 98.5

Ug/m /24 hrs occurred on June 26. Wind data for that date points to field blown dusts as the most probable source, as there were no accountable particulate stack emissions during the testing period.
- 36 -

3ASKATCHCWAM (

[ I I | I

I I I I I 1 M I

I M I M I 1 I I I I 1 I t I M I I I I I II I

I I I I I I I I I I |l

i I I I . I h H I J I U I i J M > I ; I B I h J J I i U > j I B iiiiini

Figure 13. Saskatchewan Maximum Hourly SO2 Air Quality Data, Coronach Water Treatment Plant, 1983-1988.

0.O4S0.060- O.OiiO.05O0.0<S0.0<0- 0.01V

0.OJ0-

0.C25 0.020-

0.015 0.O10 0.005-

0.000

SASKATCHEWAN 24 KB. STANDARD. 7

HISSING DATA

• s o k » j r

Figure 14. Saskatchewan Maximum Daily SO2 Air Quality Data,

Coronach Water Treatment Plant, 1983-1988.
- 37 -

Saskatchewan Power Corporation

Ambient SO2 monitoring conducted 8.0 kilometres southeast of the

plant, near the 49th parallel, showed no violations for 1988, the same as 1987. The highest hourly reading of 0.056 ppm occurred on February 19, at 0200 and 0300 hours. Weather data recorded by En- vironment Canada's weather station located at Rockglen (37 kilometres

northwest of the plant) indicated winds blowing from the plant towards

the monitor at the time. This reading compares to the highest hourly

reading recorded in 1987 of 0.053 ppm. Downtime for the monitor was

3.0 percent as compared to 0.7 percent in 1987.

Suspended particulate concentrations at the monitoring station exceeded Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety's 24 hour standard

on seven occasions in 1988, the same as in 1987. The largest recorded

value of 672.3 ug/m /2 4 hrs. occurred on June 8. That violation, as well as the other six violations, was probably caused by field blown

dusts, as no specific episodes of heavy particulate release from the plant stack on violation days could be determined. The annual geo- metric mean of 38.7 ug/m is well below the provincial standard of 70.0 and compares with the 1987 mean of 34.6. Downtime for the

sampler was 1.6 percent, virtually the same as the 1.7 percent in

1987.

Sulphur dioxide averages from in-stack monitoring were slightly

greater in 1988 than 1987, with daily concentrations ranging from

1,749 to 3,421 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m ) (corrected to 3 percent O2). The average yearly concentration was 2,698 as compared

to 2,556 in 1987. Downtime for the SO2 in-stack monitor was the same

as during 1987 —15 percent. Nitrogen oxide averages were lower in

1988, with daily concentrations ranging from 603 to 1,089 mg/m

(corrected to 3 percent O2). The average yearly concentration was

776 in 1988 and 806 in 1987. Downtime for the nitrogen oxide in-stack

monitor was 16 percent compared to 18 percent in 1987. Daily opacity

readings ranged from to 90 percent, with a yearly average of 18 percent. Saskatchewan's opacity standard of 40 percent was exceeded

193 times in 1988, significantly less than the 330 times in 1987.
_ 38 _

Downtime for the opacity monitor was 2.2 percent in 1988 and 0.3 percent in 1987. Stack gas flow rates ranged from 378 to 658 m^/s, with

an average flow of 590 in 1988, which is close to the 580 m

3 /s in

1987. Downtime for the 12 month period in 1988 was 5.2 percent, up from 1.9 percent in 1987.

Montana

The Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Air

Quality Bureau, operates five sulfation plate sampling sites in the Scobey area—Richardson Residence (Scobey), Flaxville, TV Tower Hill,

Scobey Downtown, and Four Buttes. Samples from these sites are

indicators of sulfation levels in the area, and a high concentration would give warning of a potential problem. There is no standard

for sulfation rate; readings greater than 0.5 rag/100 centimeters

squared per day (cm2 /d) indicate possible trouble spots. The highest

reading for 1988 was 0.07 mg/100 cm2 /d at the Flaxville site in

February. Table 7 gives the sampling results for 1988.

Table 7. Sulfation Rate of Sulfur Trioxide in Milligrams per

100 Square Centimeters per day at Five Locations

During 1988.

Site Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Richardson
39 -

REFERENCES CITED

Irvine, J. A., Whitaker, S.H., and Broughton, P.L., 1978, Coal re- sources of southern Saskatchewan — A model for evaluation

methodology: ( Note: this report is listed three ways ) Geological Survey of Canada Economic Geology Report 30 or Department

of Mineral Resources Report 209, or Saskatchewan Research Coun- cil Report 20; Part I, 151 p., Part II, 56 oversize plates.

Linton, L.R., McDonald, R.A., and Hamilton, H.R., 1988, Evaluation

of transboundary TDS and Boron water quality objectives for the Poplar River: HydroQual Consultants Inc., Calgary, Alberta (prepared for Environment Canada, Inland Waters Directorate, Western

and Northern Region), 78 p.

ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA - UNITED STATES

- 1 -
September 2 3, 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 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;

ii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any definitive changes in the monitored parameters, based on collation and technical interpretation of exchanged data

(i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other

appropriate techniques);

iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any recommendations regarding the adequacy or redundancy of any scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals regarding

modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based

on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including

analytical methods to ensure their comparability.

- 3 -
c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of 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

1989

CANADA - UNITED STATES

- 1 -
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

1989

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 Map

1.

2.

3.

*4.

Station No.

11AE003

(06178500)

11AE013

11AE015

11AE014

Station Name

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Cookson Reservoir near Coronach

Girard Creek near Coronach

Cookson Reservoir

East Poplar River above

Cookson Reservoir

5. **Fife Lake Overflow

*6. 11AE008

(06178000)

Poplar River at International

Boundary

* - International gauging station

** - Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Sask Water during periods of outflow only.

- 6
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

- 7 -
No. on Map

I

2

34

5

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Station No. OTSTOTUOOTJuT 0SSK02000007 05SK02000008

05SK020000O4

05SK02000003

Station Name

Fife Lake Overflow

Glrard Creek at Coronach Reservoir Outflow Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 Cookson Reservoir near Dam East Poplar River at culvert immediately below

Cookson Reservoir

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada OOSA11AE0008 East Poplar River at International Boundary

Parameters Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety
PARAMETERS (Continued)

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

L EGEND

ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWA

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

- 11 -
GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety Station Description

Map
R. 27 R.26

T.I

Ash

Lagoons

1/5

21

1CALE A

•OO KXM HTtll J 1 k,

CANAOA

US. A.

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

- 13
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR

POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL

SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

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

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

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Station

la

lblc2a l 2a2 2a3 2a4

2b

2c

3a

3b

3c

6a i 6a2 633

6a4

7*1 7a2 7a3 7a4 C534

8a! 8a2 8a3 834

8b! 8b2 8b3 8Cl 8c2 8c3 8d

9a 1 9a2 9a3 9a4 9bi 9b2 9b3 9b4

Piezometer No.

C716

C717 C711 C712A

C712B

C712C

C712D

C718 C719

C713 C720

C721 C763A

C763B

C763C

C763D

C729A

C729B

C729C

C729D

C534 C730A

C730B

C730C

C730D

C727A

C727B

C727C

C726A

C726B

C726C

C748 C764A

C764B

C764C

C764D

C728A

C728B

C728C

C728D

Frequency of Measurement

All piezometer levels

are measured quarterly

- 16 -
R. 27 R 26

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

T.I

R 26

LEGEND

Pitioa»t*ri EaaartM • Oro.al ^ Pitzoaiitari Hart S« 8 sit

>s (D16

/7 C530 C540

I* ia si

CANADA

A

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.

Total

Suspended

Particulates

24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding

to the National Air

Pollution Surveillance

Sampling Schedule.

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Colourimetric Titration,

Pulsed Fluorescence

Total Suspended

Particulates

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

High Volume Method

* This station is operated by Saskatchewan Power.

- 20 -
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

- 21
SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

No. on Map Station Location Parameters Sampling Frequency

1 At Poplar River Sulphur Dioxide, Continuously reported

Power Plant Nitrogen Dioxide, as Hourly Averages

Opacity.

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Ultraviolet Absorption

Nitrogen Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Chemi luminescence

Opacity Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety

Optical

- 22 -
R 27 R 26

T.I

AstlLagoons

SCALE A

MO IOOO UtTKCI - 1 L,

CANADA

USA.

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

- 23 -

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1989

UNITED STATES

- 25 -
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey

i.. 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

No. on Map

USGS Station

No. 06178000 06178500

06179000

Station Name Poplar River at International Boundary

East Poplar River at International Boundary

East Poplar River near Scobey

PARAMETERS

Sampling Frequency

Analytical

nethod ho. 1

90410 01106

00610

00625 01000

01002 01010

01012

01020 01025

01027 00915

00680 00940

01030 01034

00060

00095 01040

01042

00061 00950

01046 01045

01049

01051

00925 01056

01055

01065

01067 00615 00630

00300

70507 00400

00665 00935

00931 80154

80155

01145 01147 00955

00930

00945

70301 00010

00020

00076

80020 01090

01092

Alkalinity-lab Aluminus-diaa

Ammonia-tot AmmomatOrg N-tOt Araenic—diaa Araenic-tot

beryl lium-dies Beryllium-tot/rec

Boron—diaa Cadmium—diaa

Cadaiuar*Cot/rec Calcium

Carbon-tot Org Chloride—diaa Chroaium-diaa Chromium-tot/rec

Color Conductivity

Copper—diaa Copper- tot /rec Diacbarge-inat

Fluoride

Iron—diaa Iron—tot/rec Lead-diaa Lead-tot/rec Magneaium-diaa Hanganeae—diaa Hanganeae—tot/rec Nickel-diaa

Nickel tot/rec Nitrite-tot

Nitrate+Ni trite-tot Oxygen—diaa

Fhoa, Ortho-tot

pHPhopboroua-tot Potaaeium-diaa

SAI Sediment-cone.

Sediment- load Selenium—diaa Selenium tot Silica Sodium

Sulfate-diaa

Total Diaaolved Solida Temp Water

Temp Air Turbidity Uranium-diee

Zinc-diaa Zinc-tot/rec

Elect. Titration

AAColor imetric Colorimetric

AA, hydride

AA, hydride

AAAA-Peraulfate

ICP AA-peraulfate

AAWet Oxidation

Ion chromatography

AAAA-peraulfate

Electrometric, viaoal Wheatatone Bridge

AAAA-peraulfate

Direct meaaur. Electrometric

AA

AA-peraulfate

AAAA-peraulfate

AA

AAAA-peraulfate

AAAA-peraulfate

Colorlaetrlx Colorimetr ic Winkler/meter

Colorimetric

Electrometric

Colorimetric AA

Calculated

Pi It rat ion-gravimetric Calculated

AA, hydride

AA, hydride Colorimetric AA

Colorimetric Calculated

Toluene

Toluene

Nephelometric

Fluorimetric

AAAA-peraulfate

•Computer atorage and retrieval ayatem - 0SCS

Symbola: C-continuoua; D-daily; H-monthly; HC-monthly compoaite; A-annually

at high flov; SA-aemi-annually at low and high flow; AA-atomic

abaorption; tot-total; rec-recoverable; diaa-diaaolved
CANADA

U.S.A.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

- 29
GROUND WATER QUALITY HON I TOR INC Station Locations

Responi ible Agency: Montana Bureau of Nino and Ceology
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 MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

- 33 -
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Responsible Agency: State of Montana

Air Quality Bureau

No. on Map Location

2 Richardson

5 Flaxville

6 TV Tower Hill

7 Scobey Downtown

8 Four Buttes

TYPES OF SAMPLING

Sulfation Rate - Monthly Averages

METHODS

Methods of Air Sampling and Analysis, 2nd Edition , "Tentative Method of Analysis of the Sulfation Rate of the Atmosphere (Lead Dioxide Plate

Method - Turbidimetric Analysis," p. 691.

34 -
7 Scobey 6

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

35 -

ANNEX 3

REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1988

BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

1 -
REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1988

BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

1. Saskatchewan Power Corporation, 1987, Poplar River Power Station,

Uranium in Groundwaters, Environmental Programs, 12 p.

2. Linton, L. R., McDonald, R.A. and Hamilton, H.R., 1988, Evaluation

of the Transboundary TDS and Boron Water Quality Objectivies for

the Poplar River, Environment Canada, Water-Quality Branch, Regina,

Saskatchewan, 78 p.

- 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 suceeding 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.

li) 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-United 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-month 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 m

2 = 0.404 7 ha

ac-ft = 1,233.5 m

3 = 1.2335 dam3

C° = 1.8 F° cm = 0.3937 in.

cm 2 = 0.155 in 2

dam 3 = 1,000 m

3 = 0.8107 ac-ft

ft 3 = 28.3171 x 10 -3m

3

ha = 10,000 m

2 = 2.471 ac hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft

hm3 = 1 x 106 m

3

I.gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 x 10~3 tons

km = 0.62137 miles

km2 = 0.3861 mi 2

L = 0.3532 ft 3 = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal

L/s = 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpra

m = 3.2808 ft

m

2 = 10.7636 ft 2

m

3 = 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft 3 = 219.97 I. gal = 264.2 U.S. gal

m

3 /s = 35.314 cfs mm = 0.00328ft

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

- 2 -