S Poplar River 

333,91 Bilateral 

1<2(iprar Monitoring 

Annual report of 
the governments of 
Canactat Unite'! 
States V 



H«5 



1985 ANNUAL REPORT 



STATE DOCUMfNTS COLLECTION 

FEB / 1990 

to the 

MONTANA STATb LibRARY 

1515 E. 6th AVE. 
HELENA, MONTANA 59o20 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1985 




ASE RETUR 



May. 1986 



Montana State Librat\ 



3 0864 1004 5789 7 



1985 ANNUAL REPORT 



to the 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



Covering Calendar Year 1985 



May, 1986 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
TO: 



Department of State Department of External Affairs 

Washington, D.C., United States Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 

Governor's Office, State of Montana Saskatchewan Environment 

Helena, Montana, United States Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 



Gentlemen: 

During 1985, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to 
fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar 
River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. Water 
quantity, water quality, and air quality relevant to the International 
Boundary were monitored in accordance to the 1985 Technical Monitoring 
Schedule. The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. 
Herein is the report of activities of 1985 and the proposed monitoring 
schedule for 1986. 

The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project 
conditions and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific 
parameter values that were developed under International Joint Commission 
references. References are made to State, Provincial, or Federal 
standards or objectives where these are relevant. After examination and 
evaluation of the monitoring information for 1985, the Committee finds 
that the measured conditions are within the norms of the accepted 
objectives. 



- 1 ^ 



The Committee was advised that Saskatchewan Environment has required the 
developers of the new coal mines, 10 to 15 kilometres east of the present 
mine, to conduct an environmental impact study. The study will address 
the question of dewatering effects and will be available for public review 
during 1987. 

In September 1985 the initial five-year term of the Cooperative Monitoring 
Arrangement expired. In accordance with Article 5 the parties agreed to a 
one-year extension. It is respectfully suggested that the arrangement be 
extended for a further five-year period or until such time as governments 
have finalized arrangements for another body to monitor developments in 
the Poplar River Basin. 

Yours sincerely. 



<~fl\- Ka,^c.< rJj^ 

J. 'R. Knapton / 

Chairman, United States Section 




G. W. Howard \ 

Acting ChS+wwdn, Canadian Section 



/r. E. Driear 



R. E. Driear 

Member, United States Section 




W. D. Gummer 

Member, Canadian Section 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL i 

1985 HIGHLIGHTS v 

INTRODUCTION 1 

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AND MINING 4 

Operation 4 

Construction 5 

Mining 6 

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 9 

Streamflow 9 

Minimum Flows 10 

Reservoir Storage 11 

On-Demand Release 11 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 12 

East-Poplar River at the International Boundary 12 

Total Dissolved Solids 13 

Boron 15 

Other Water Quality Characteristics 17 

Cookson Reservoir 17 

Data Comparison 19 

GROUND WATER QUANTITY 21 

Coal Mine Dewatering in Saskatchewan 21 

Discharges 21 

Water Levels 22 

Montana 22 

GROUND WATER QUALITY 24 

Saskatchewan 24 

Water Quality in the Tills 24 

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 26 

Montana 27 

ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 28 

AIR QUALITY 31 

Saskatchewan 31 

Montana 34 

Table 1 - 1985 Operating Statistics for Generating 

Units No. 1 and No. 2 4 

Table 2 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985 11 



- TV - 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 



Page 



Table 3 - Recommended Water Quality Objectives, Excursions 
and the 1985 Sampling Program, East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 18 

Table 4 - Data Comparison, June 11, 1985 Sampling Trip 19 

Table 5 - Data Comparability, December 17, 1985 Sampling Trip . . 20 

Table 6 - 1985 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities. . 21 

Table 7 - Calculated Seepage Rates 28 

Table 8 - Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results 

During 1985 in Montana 35 



Figure 1 - Poplar River Mine Expansion 



Figure 2 - Discharge During 1985 Compared with Median Discharge for 

1951-80 for the Poplar River at International Boundary . 9 

Figure 3 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary and 
Recommended Minimum Flow 10 

Figure 4 - (a) Three-Month Flow-Weighted Concentration for TDS; 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary; 
(b) Five-Year Flow-Weighted Concentration for TDS; 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 14 

Figure 5 - (a) Three-Month Flow-Weighted Concentration for Boron; 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary; 
(b) Five-Year Flow-Weighted Concentration for Boron; 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 16 

Figure 6 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from 

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1985 23 

Figure 7 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations; 

East Poplar River Monitoring Piezometers 25 

Figure 8 - Saskatchewan Maximum Hourly SO2 Air Quality Data .... 32 

Figure 9 - Saskatchewan Maximum Daily SO2 Air Quality Data .... 33 

Figure 10 - Surface Wind Roses 39 

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

Annex 2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1986, Canada-United States 

Annex 3 - Metric Conversions 



- V - 

1985 HIGHLIGHTS 

1985 was the second full year of operation for two 300 megawatt coal-fired 
units. Over 4,560,700 gross megawatt hours of electricity were 
generated. The number of start-ups was down to 21 compared to 29 in 1984 
and a high of 58 in 1983. As a result the consumption of oil fell to 
2,743 tonnes, compared to 3,700 tonnes in 1984 and 13,756 tonnes in 1983. 

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States was 
exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling locations, 
frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements identified in 
the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Air quality monitoring in Montana was 
conducted only until the end of June because of funding restrictions. 
Sulfation sites, however, were operated for the entire year. 

The United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar River 
throughout the year which exceeded the minimum flow requirements 
recommended to Governments by the International Joint Commission. On 
April 2, 1985, Montana requested delivery of the 617 cubic decametres of 
on-demand release it is entitled to. The requested amount was not 
delivered In the 37-day period requested but was delivered within 40 
days. Runoff in the basin was again below normal during 1985. 

Boron and total dissolved solids concentrations in the East Poplar River 
were below the long-term and short-term objectives recommended by the 
International Joint Commission to Governments. There were no exceedances 
of other water quality objectives recommended to Governments by the 



VI 



International Joint Commission. Continued investigations of U.S. 
Geological Survey and Environment Canada quality assurance data have not 
resolved incompatibility for certain parameters. Additional quality 
assurance work has been recommended for 1986. 

The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewatering 
remained about the same distance north of the International Boundary. 

The total estimated seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing ponds was 
0.750 litre per second, well below the seepage limits proposed by the 
International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate front has 
been calculated to have advanced 4.23 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. 



INTRODUCTION 

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized by the 
Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River 
Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of 
the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. In 1985 the 
Arrangement was extended by mutual agreement for another year. 

The Committee is composed of representatives of the Government of the 
United States of America, State of Montana, Government of Canada and 
Province of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of 
Governments, two ex-officio members who are local representatives of the 
State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan participate in the 
activities of the Committee. During 1985, the members and ex-officio 
members of the Committee were: 



Mr. J. R. Knapton 

U. S. Geological Survey 

Chairman, U.S. Section 

Mr. R. E. Driear 
Governor's Office 
Member, U.S. Section 

Mr. C. W. Tande 

Daniels County Commissioner 

Ex-officio Member, Montana 



Mr. G. W. Howard 

Saskatchewan Environment 

Acting Chairman, Canadian Section 

W. D. Gummer 
Environment Canada 
Member, Canadian Section 

Mr. J. R. Totton 

Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte 

Ex-officio Member, Saskatchewan 



1 - 



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. 

A responsibility of the Committee includes an ongoing quarterly exchange 
of data acquired through the monitoring programs. The exchange of 
monitoring information was initiated with the first quarter of 1981, and 
is an expansion of the informal quarterly information exchange program 
initiated between Canada and the United States in 1976. Special reports 
dealing with aspects of monitoring and monitoring results requested by the 
Committee are sometimes published. Any such reports are reviewed annually 
by the Committee. No such reports were received by the Committee in 
1985. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the 
agencies of the participating governments or from Committee members. 

The Committee also is responsible for an annual report to Governments 
which summarizes the monitoring results, evaluates apparent trends, and 
compares the data to objectives or standards recommended by the 
International Joint Commission (IJC) to Governments, or relevant State, 
Provincial, or Federal standards. The Committee reports to Governments on 
a calendar year basis, with the report for 1985 being the fifth 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. 

Another responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of the 
monitoring programs in both countries and make recommendations to 
Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The Schedules are 
updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications 
In sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical 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. 



POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AND MINING 

Operation 

The two units operated for the full reporting period. The 1985 operating 

statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1: 

Table 1 
1985 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2 . 



Unit 1 



Unit 2 



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



8 219 


8 066 


2 312 700 


2 248 000 


93.8 


92.1 


88.6 


87.3 


10 


11 


1 966 911 


1 911 298 


1 084 


1 659 


8 760 


8 760 



The average sulphur content of the coal in 1985 was 0.5 percent. Analyses 
were conducted by an independent laboratory according to ASTM procedure 
D3176. The sulphur content of the No. 2 fuel oil consumed at the Poplar 
River Power Station was 0.07 percent. 

Three spills occurred in 1985, all due to ash line ruptures. On 

August 12, 1985 a maximum of 800 m^ of ash recirculation water containing 

some ash spilled immediately south of the Poplar River Power Station. The 

spill was contained upstream of the drainage ditch control structures. 

Cleanup procedures were implemented and no spill materials entered Cookson 

Reservoir. 



- 4 



- 5 - 



On October 22, 1985 approximately 90 m-^ of ash recirculation water and 
some ash spilled adjacent to the ash recirculation pumphouse. The 
pumphouse is located at the northwest corner of the polishing pond. Most 
of the spilled water flowed into the pumphouse sumps which discharge to 
the ash lagoons. The remaining spill liquid was contained in the 
Immediate vicinity. Cleanup procedures were implemented and no spill 
materials entered Cookson Reservoir. 

On December 1, 1985 approximately 2 m^ of ash and an unknown quantity of 
ash recirculation water spilled near the sewage holding pond. Reliable 
evaluation of the spill volume was not possible due to adverse weather 
conditions and snow cover. For the same reasons, effective clean-up was 
not practical. However, the spill materials are contained upstream of the 
drainage ditch main control structure. The ash will be removed once 
weather conditions permit. Ash recirculation water from the spill will be 
monitored prior to release to Cookson Reservoir. 

Construction 

A fourth ash recirculation water pump was installed in the ash 
recirculation pumphouse improving ash handling reliability. Supplemental 
quantities of reservoir water for ash sluicing, often necessary during 
recirculation pump failure, will be reduced. This will help maintain a 
controlled ash lagoon water balance. 



6 - 



A cross dyke to elevation 764.4 m was constructed in the fall of 1985 
separating Ash Lagoon No. 3 into a north and south section. The north 
section dyking and liner is complete. Installation of a return structure 
to the polishing pond and ash piping to Ash Lagoon No. 3 north is planned 
for 1986 spring. 

An interceptor trench was constructed along the outside of the cross dyke 
and the remaining exposed southern portion of Ash Lagoon No. 2 east dyke. 
The trench consists of pervious sand fill and perforated pipe drainage to 
manhole catchment basin system. The trench is designed to prevent 
groundwater mounding effects of Ash Lagoon No. 2 and Ash Lagoon No. 3 
north from adversely effecting the future construction of Ash Lagoon No. 3 
south. 

An online ball type recirculation condenser cleaning system was installed 
on Unit No. 1 in 1985. The system is identical to that installed on Unit 
No. 2 in 1984. The system will continuously recirculate charges of sponge 
rubber and abrasive coated sponge rubber balls through the condenser tubes 
to reduce marine and scale deposits on the water side of the tubes. A 
reduction in scale inhibitor chemical dosing to the cooling water inlet 
and an increase in intervals between condenser acid cleans will result. 

Mining 

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

north westerly direction until 1989 or later. 



- 7 - 



Prairie Coal Limited has been requested by Saskatchewan Environment to 
undertake an environmental assessment of two new mining areas to the east 
and north of Cookson Reservoir (Figure 1). Guidelines for preparation of 
the impact statement asked the company to address such things as ground 
water, surface water and reclamation. 

The impact statement should be. completed in early 1987 and will 
subsequently be available for public review and comment. 



-^- 









V 









44 



'.! J ' 



, i > 1 I- 



^ .-b-;^" 





SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 

Streamflow 

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal during 1985, 
assuming the recorded flow of the Poplar River at the International 
Boundary is a good indicator of basin runoff conditions. The March to 
October recorded flow volume at that gauge was 7 710 cubic decametres 
(dam3), or 47 percent of the long-term average. A comparison of the flows 
of 1985 with those of the 1951-80 median flow is shown in Figure 2. 



10 F 



0.01 



0.001 
MAR 



MEDIAN OF MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE 

FOR 1951-80 



MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1985 




APR 



MAY 



JUNE JULY 



AUG 



SEPT OCT 



Figure 2 - Discharge during 1985 compared with median discharge for 
1951-80 for the Poplar River at International Boundary. 



The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary for 1985 was 2 980 dam^, or 21 percent of the mean annual flow 
since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. 



10 - 



Minimum Flows 

The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International 

Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1985 was 6 890 dam^. For the purposes of 

interpreting the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the recorded 

flow is assumed to be the natural flow. Based on these recommendations, 

this volume entitled the United States to a minimum discharge of 0.057 

cubic metre per second (m-^/s) from June 1 to August 31, 1985 and 

0.028 m3/s from September 1, 1985 to May 31, 1986 on the East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary. The minimum flow of 0.028 m^/s for the 

first 5 months of 1985 had previously been determined on the basis of the 

March 1 to May 31, 1984 Poplar River volume. 

The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 
exceeded the recommended minimum throughout the year. A minimum daily 
discharge of 0.051 m^/s occurred on February 12. A hydrograph of flow in 
the East Poplar River at the International Boundary and the minimum flow 
as recommended by the IJC is shown in Figure 3. 




ApportioniRMt r*coaiin«ndatia)i for mini 



JAN I FEB I MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY I *U6 I SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC 



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



34 


800 


39 


500 


35 


400 



- 11 - 



R eservoir Storage 

Cookson Reservoir was near the full -supply level all year, with contents 
increasing from 34 800 dam^ on January 1 to a maximum of 39 500 dam^ on 
April 19. Elevations and contents for selected dates are given in 
Table 2. 

Table 2 
Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985 



Elevation Contents 

Date (1985) (metres) (cubic decametres) 

January 1 752.149 

April 19 752.805 

December 31 752.222 

Full -Supply Level 753.000 40 900 



Storage increased during the year by 600 darn^ due to above normal 
precipitation in the fall and base flows in Girard Creek which are 
maintained by dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine. These flows 
assisted in offsetting the evaporative losses and releases from the 
reservoir. 

On-Demand Release 

Based on the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the United States 
is entitled to an on-demand volume of 617 dam^ at any time from June 1, 
1985 to May 31, 1986. As of December 31, 1985 Montana had not requested 
this release. The on-demand volume entitlement for 1984 of 617 dam^ was 
requested on March 26, 1985, and corrected on April 2, 1985, to be 
delivered April 25 to May 31. This volume was delivered April 25 to 
June 3. 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended: 

For the March to October period, a maximum flow-weighted 
concentration should not exceed 3.5 mg/L boron and 1500 mg/L for 
total dissolved solids for any three consecutive months in the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary. 

For the March to October period, a long-term average of flow-weighted 

concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1000 mg/L or 

less for total dissolved solids in the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary. 

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



12 



13 - 



The Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the approach that for the 
purpose of determining compliance with the proposed IJC long-term 
objectives, the boron and TDS data are best graphically plotted as a 
5-year flow-weighted moving average which is advanced one month at a 
time. Each point represents the flow weighted concentration for a 
5-year period, with two and one-half years on either side of the plotted 
point. It must be emphasized that the data base is comprised of all data 
collected over the twelve months of all years. 

Total Dissolved Solids 

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L. A plot of the 
3-month moving flow-weighted concentration is shown in Figure 4a. No 
exceedences have been observed in either the grab sample-generated data or 
in the regression-calculated data over the period of record. 

The observed relationship between TDS and specific conductance for the 
entire period of record is: 

TDS = (0.642 X specific conductance + 9.32) (R-squared = 0.87) 

The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS is shown 
in Figure 4b. The long-term flow-weighted values remained well below the 
proposed objective of 1,000 mg/L. Because flow weighting is calculated 
across five years, a radical change in flow or the instantaneous 
concentrations can significantly alter the plot of the moving 5-year 
concentrations (see Figure 4b). The decrease depicted in the graph. 



TDS 
(mg/L) 



1700-r 

1800 4- 

tsoo-- 

1400 
1300' 

iaoo-|- 

1100-- 

1000 -f 
900 

aoo- 

700-- 
B00-- 
900-- 
400-- 
»00-- 



- a 



Short-term objective (1500 mg/L) 



■•- calculated data 
mean monthly grab sample data 



■^ j+\ .+; 






- b 



TDS 
(mg/L) 



Long-term Objective (1000 titg/L) 



1979 1980 

Time 



Figure 4 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for 
TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b) 
Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for TDS, 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



- 15 



from 721 to 548 mg/L, is attributed to the wery high flows of March and 
April 1982. The flow was approximately 30 m^/s in April, almost two 
orders of magnitude higher than the flows recorded at time of water sample 
collection during the period July 1979 to February 1982. 

The instantaneous concentrations for TDS ranged from 780 mg/L in May 1985 
to 1000 mg/L recorded in November 1985 with an annual mean of 911 mg/L. 

Boron 

The proposed short-term objective for boron is 3.5 mg/L. Figure 5a shows the 
3-month moving flow-weighted concentration. There were no excursions over the 
period of record (1975 to 1985). The maximum flow-weighted concentration during 
1985, calculated from the regression equation, was 1.85 mg/L. Whereas the 
maximum calculated from the grab-sample data was 1.75 mg/L. The maximum 
instantaneous boron concentration observed was 2.0 mg/L. 

The relationship between boron and specific conductance over the entire period 
of record is described by the equation: 

B = (0.00146 X specific conductance) - 0.26 (R-squared = 0.75) 

The trend in each annual curve is similar. As autumn approaches, the 
3-month flow-weighted concentrations rise gradually as the ground water 
contribution accounts for a greater percentage of the streamflow. In 1984 
and 1985 the amplitude of the annual fluctuation is considerably less than 
in some previous years. This is probably due to the paucity of runoff 
from snowmelt during the spring of those two years. 



3.B 

3.4-- 

3.2 

3.0- - 



a 



2.6- 

1.4- 
2.2-- 



Boron 2.0 
(mg/L) 



1.0 
o.a-t- 
0.8- - 

0.4-- 

0.2- 



Shopt-term objective (3.5 mg/L) 



-t- calculated data 

mean monthly gnab-sample data 



1979 1980 

Time 



^■•| 



Ki 



^' ^t^ 



2.7-1- 
2.8-- 

2.S 

2.4-- 
2.3- 
2.2- 
2.1-- 
2.0-- 
9-- 



Boron 
(mg/L) 



Long-term objective (2.5 mg/L) 



M 'I H '114. 

— r— t- r -I r--\-—T~ ■ \-—r~ 

tSaO 19fli 19B2 1983 1984 



Figure 5 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for 
Boron, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b) 
Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for Boron, 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



17 



The long-term 5-year moving flow-weighted mean concentration is presented 
in Figure 5b. Although only the irrigation season (March to October) was of 
concern to the IJC, all yearly values are included in Figures 6 & 7, in order 
to better present long term trends in the data. 

The 5-year moving average boron concentration does not at any time during 
the period of record, exceed the 2.5 mg/L recommended long-term 
objective. The maximum value for observed is 1.47, recorded for the 
5-year period July 1976 to June 1981 (plotted at the January, 1979 
location in Figure 5b). The large change in the plot, from 1.35 to 0.94 mg/L 
Is attributed to the very high flows of April 1982 (see discussion for TDS) 
coupled with a low boron concentration. 

Other Water Quality Characteristics 

Table 3 shows the multi-purpose water quality objectives recommended by 
the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. The number 
of samples collected for each parameter is also shown. No exceedences of 
the recommended multi-purpose objectives occurred in 1985. 

Environment Canada data indicate that the dissolved mercury content of the 
East Poplar River was at or below the analytical detection limit of 0.02 ug/L. 

Cookson Reservoir 

There are no trends yet evident in the water quality of Cookson 
Reservoir. Boron and TDS concentrations remained below 2.0 and 1000 ug/L, 
respectively. Dissolved oxygen levels remained high. The data provided 
by Saskatchewan Environment do not exceed the objectives for the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary (Table 3), 



Table 3 

Recommended Water Quality Objectives, Excursions and the 1985 

Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

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







No. of 


samples 




Parameter 


Objective 


USA 


Canada 


Excursions 


Objectives recommended by 


IJC to Government; 


3 

14 


15 




Boron-total 


Note (1) 


nil 


TDS 


Note (1) 


14 


14 


nil 


Objectives recommended by 


Board to IJC 


3 


13 




Aluminum-dissolved 


0.1 


nil 


Ammonia un-ionized (N) 


0.2 


14 


15 


nil 


Cadmium-total 


0.0012 


2 


14 


nil 


Chromium-total 


0.05 


3 


14 


nil 


Copper-dissolved 


0.005 


2 


nil 


nil 


Copper-total 


1.0 


3 


14 


nil 


Fluoride-dissolved 


1.5 


14 


13 


nil 


Lead-total recoverable 


0.03 


3 


14 


nil 


Mercury-dissolved 


0.0002 


nil 


14 


nil 


Mercury-whole fish (mg/kg 


0.5 


nil 


nil 


- 


Nitrate (N) 


10 


14 


15 


nil 


Dissolved Oxygen 


Note (2) 


12 


13 


nil 


S.A.R. 


10 


14 


14 


nil 


Sulphate 


800 


14 


14 


nil 


Zinc-total 


0.03 


3 


14 


nil 


Temperature (deg. C) 


Note (3) 


12 


10 


nil 


pH (pH units) 


Note (4) 


12 


13 


nil 


Col i form 










- fecal (no./lOO ml) 


2,000 


nil 


13 


nil 


- total (no./lOO ml) 


20,000 


nil 


13 


nil 



Note: 

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

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

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

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



19 - 



Data Comparison 

Quality control sampling was carried out on June 11, 1985, during which 
triplicate samples were collected by Environment Canada and the United 
States Geological Survey (Table 4). 

Table 4 

Data Comparison, June 11, 1985 Sampling Trip 
(units are mg/L) 





Environment 


Canada 


U.S. 


Geological 


Survey 


Diffe 


rence 


Parameter 


No. 


Range 


Mean 


No. 


Range 


Mean 


Net % 


of USGS 


T.D.S. 


3 


24 


839 


3 


20 


940 


101 


10.7 


Specific Cond. 


3 


10 


1384 


3 





1450 


66 


4.6 


(us/cm) 


















Alkalinity (Tot) 


2 


1 


396 


3 


14 


468 


72 


15.4 


Ca-dissolved 


3 


1.9 


44.9 


3 


3 


55 


10 


18.2 


Cl-dissolved 


3 


0.1 


5.1 


3 


0.2 


5.9 


0.8 


13.6 


F-dissolved 


3 


0.10 


0.46 


3 





0.3 


0.2 


67. 


S04-dissolved 


2 


4.3 


288 


3 





310 


22 


7.1 


Si02-dissolved 


2 


0.5 


10.0 


3 





11 


1 


9.1 


B-dissolved 


3 


0.05 


1.4 


3 





1.9 


0.5 


26.3 


Fe-dissolved 


3 


0.03 


0.14 


3 


0.003 


0.010 


0.13 


1300. 


Ni-dissolved 


3 





0.002 


3 


0.002 


0.006 


0.004 


67. 


Hardness 


3 


9 


321 


3 


10 


353 


32 


9.1 



Significantly differing TDS and Boron results for the June samples gave 
rise to a second quality control sampling, which was carried out on 
December 17, 1985. 



Samples from the December exercise were split and sent to different labs. 
Canadian samples were sent to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), and 
to the Environment Canada Regional (EC-REG) and National laboratories 
(EC-NAT). 



- 20 



In the United States, samples were sent to the U.S. Geological Survey 
laboratory (USGS), the Montana Department of Health and Environmental 
Sciences (MDHES), and to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG). 
The data for TDS, laboratory specific conductance and boron are shown in 
Table 5. 



Table 5 

Data Comparability, December 17, 1985 Sampling Trip 
(units are mg/L) 



Parameter 



Environment Canada 
SRC EC-NAT EC-REG 



U.S. Geological Survey 

M-HEALTH 

MBMG MDHES USGS 



Total Diss. Solids 
Spec Cond (us/cm) 
Boron-dissolved 



1124 908 
1450 1450 1470 
1.7 - 1.5 



979 987 950 

1496 1497 1550 

1.7 1.8 1.8 



A comparison of June quality control data indicates significant 
differences in the calcium and alkalinity results which are used in the 
calculation of total dissolved solids. The December results showed some 
improvement in the comparability of boron results. It does appear, 
however, that the Water Quality Branch regional laboratory reports 
consistently lower boron concentrations than the USGS laboratory. 
Additional inter-agency quality control work will have to be undertaken in 
1986, with the inclusion of some spiked samples and blanks. 



GROUND WATER QUANTITY 

Coal Mine Dewatering in Saskatchewan 

Discharges 

Due to coal mine dewatering activities, a total of 7,083 dam3 (5,742 

acre-feet) of ground water was discharged during 1985. This amounts to 

9.6 percent less pumpage than in the previous year. A summary of the 

monthly pumpages from all the coal dewatering wells is shown in Table 6. 

Table 6 
1985 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities 



Month 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

TOTAL 



Pumpages 



Total (dam3) 


Rate (L/s) 


626 


234 


603 


249 


668 


249 


629 


243 


576 


215 


594 


229 


573 


214 


547 


204 


531 


205 


616 


230 


536 


207 


584 


218 



7,083 dam3 (5,742 acre-feet) 



The ground water was discharged at 14 locations during 1985. Twelve 
discharges were to Girard Creek, one was directly into Cookson Reservoir 
and one was into a tributary of Goose Creek. From the discharge to the 
Cookson Reservoir, 68.1 dam3 were diverted directly into the Town of 
Coronach water supply. No water from this Goose Creek discharge reached 
the main stem of Goose Creek. 



21 



- 22 



Water Levels 

Two piezometric pressure maps, dated June and December, 1985, were 
prepared by Prairie Coal Ltd.-'- Figure 6 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 1985 is unchanged from its position in the previous year. The 
position of the one metre contour therefore remains at 1.8 kilometres 
north of the International Boundary. 

Montana 

Quarterly water levels were read in 21 wells in 1985. Wells 5, 10, 14, 

and 15 were equipped with continuous recorders. 

Additional development (flushing, surging, pumping) was done on wells 13 
through 19, 21 and 22 in May of 1985. This resulted in a readjustment of 
static water levels in wells 16, 17, 18 and 21. 

Water levels in the 10 original wells continue to fluctuate within one 
foot from their average values. There appears to be no noticeable impact 
caused by mine dewatering activity in Saskatchewan. 



1 Effective December 1, 1984, ownership and operation of the Poplar River 
Mine were transferred from the Saskatchewan Power Corporation to Prairie 
Coal Ltd. 



23 - 



106"'45 



106" 30' 



49»15 



49''00 — 



Ae'AB 




Figure 5 Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from 
Dewatering Activities as of December, 1385 



GROUND WATER QUALITY 

Saskatchewan 

Ground water sampling continued in 1985 at the locations specified in the 

Technical Monitoring Schedules. 

Water Quality in the Tills 

Waters from the tills are of generally poorer quality than those from the 
Empress Gravels. This is illustrated in Figure 7, where TDS has been 
plotted for each piezometer. The higher, and more variable concentrations 
are associated with piezometers completed in till, whereas TDS levels in 
Empress-completed piezometers rarely exceed 1,200 mg/L. 

Piezometer C712B at location 2a, just to the north of the polishing lagoon 
displayed an increase in uranium concentration over 1984 to mid-1985. The 
extremely high uranium values reported in 1985 are possibly questionable, 
being about ten times the expected level. The first-quarter of 1986 
results for C712B should be scrutinized to determine whether a real trend 
is developing, or whether the high uranium concentrations noted in April 
and July 1985 were in error. No other parameter trends are in evidence at 
this location. 

Locations 2b (C718) and 2c (C719), near the north edge of the polishing 
lagoon similarly displayed no consistent water quality trends over the 
period October 1983 to the end of 1985, although the uranium concentration 
at C719 fluctuates widely during the period October 1984 to October 1985. 



24 - 



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26 



At location 9a, at the west end of the polishing lagoon, piezometers 728B 
and 728C show a general increase in uranium level over the period 1983 to 
July 1985, but the concentrations drop off again slightly in October 1985. 

The variability in the concentration for most chemical species observed 
both spatially and temporally in the tills can probably be attributed to 
localized geochemical conditions adjacent to piezometer intakes and to 
variability in recharge rates through the tills. In the case of sulphate, 
this is supported by the observation of gypsum lenses in the tills in 
drill cuttings recovered at the time of piezometer installation. The 
ground water chemistry in the tills is therefore influenced by the amount 
of net ground water recharge over the area, as well as the mineralogic 
content of the tills at the sampling point and along the flow path of the 
infiltrating water. 

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 

No significant water quality trends are evident in the Empress Gravels. 
Figure 7 shows that TDS levels remain generally unchanged over the period 
of record (1980 to 1985). 

Piezometer C533 appears to have undergone a very slight increase in 
chloride concentration over the period of record, but no other chemical 
species have increased consistently. For instance, uranium has remained 
at a relatively stable concentration since early 1981 in all 
Empress-completed piezometers (C533, C534, C726E, and C728E). Boron 
levels decreased in C533 since 1980, and showed no significant trends in 
C534, C726E, and C728E. 



- 27 - 



The average hydraulic conductivity of the Empress Gravels is some five 
orders of magnitude higher than that of the tills. The volume of water 
flowing through the Empress Gravels would therefore, under similar head 
conditions be correspondingly much higher than the volume of leakage from 
the overlying tills into the gravels. Because of this, the dilution 
effect would be large enough so as to mask or otherwise render 
Indeterminable the effects of increased leakage, on the water quality. of 
the gravels. 

Montana 

Water quality samples for wells 2 through 11 were collected in August, 
1985. No significant changes in water chemistry have been observed. 
After additional development on wells 13 through 19, 21 and 22 (by 
bailings), samples were collected from wells 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 
and 22. 



ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 

The ash lagoon system at the Poplar River Power Station continues to be 
operated on a closed system basis with no discharges to surface waters. 
During 1985, most of the sluiced ash was directed into Ash Lagoon No. 2. 
The normal operation has been using Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the polishing 
pond in series. Water from the polishing pond is returned to the plant 
for ash sluicing. End of quarter water depths in Ash Lagoons No. 1 and 2 
were in the 3.2 - 6.1 m and 3.2 - 4.2 m ranges respectively. A small 
amount of ash and water were slurried to Ash Lagoon No. 3 to increase 
water levels and, to protect its lining while this lagoon was not in use. 

Seepage calculations were carried out in 1985 using the methods developed 
by T.E.A. Prickett, P.E., of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the 
calculations for Ash Lagoons No. 1 and 2 and the polishing pond are as 
follows: 

Table 7 
Calculated Seepage Rates 

Source Rate (L/s) 

Polishing Pond 0.239 

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.172 

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.339 

Total Seepage 0.750 



- 28 



- 29 - 



The 1985 calculated seepage was greater than that calculated for the year 
1984. This has been attributed largely to the loading effects on Ash 
Lagoon No. 2. The calculated total seepage is well below the seepage 
limits (5.0 L/s to Cookson Reservoir and 2.0 L/s to the East Poplar River) 
proposed in 1979 by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board of 
the International Joint Commission. The permeability of the Ash Lagoons 
Nos. 1 and 2 and polishing pond liners were calculated and found to be the 
same order of magnitude (10-9 cm/s) as originally calculated by 
T.E.A. Prickett. 

The advancement of the seepage front towards the reservoir in the oxidized 
till was calculated at 4.23 m since the ponds were initially filled, which 
is an increase of 1.75 m since 1984. Whereas the seepage front in the 
Empress formation was calculated to have advanced 628 m southeast of the 
lagoons, an increase of 144 m since 1984. However, examination of Empress 
formation and till water chemistry have not shown significant changes 
attributable to lagoon seepage. Thus leachate flow into Cookson Reservoir 
and into the East Poplar River was zero to date. 

Saskatchewan Environment 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 May, 1985. The freeboard requirements were 
exceeded during a short time in the late spring of 1985 in order to 
minimize any ash blowing problems from Ash Lagoon No. 1. This matter has 
been remedied and satisfactory freeboard maintenance has been subsequently 



30 



practised. Additional piezometers were installed in July, 1985 by SPC to 
provide information on the ground water regime adjacent to Ash Lagoon 
No. 3 

SPC has, since May, 1983, undertaken analyses of filtered ash lagoon water 
samples to obtain appropriate information on potential leachate quality. 
Generally the water quality data show increases in the ash lagoons and the 
polishing ponds for sodium, potassium, sulphate, silica, total dissolved 
solids, fluoride, boron, molybdenum, and strontium; and notable 
variability in the levels for uranium, and vanadium. In addition, there 
were some decreases noted for other measured variables such as lead, 
mercury and recently zinc. The changes are to be expected in a closed 
system of this type. 



AIR QUALITY 

Saskatchewan 

Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. To 
date, a few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this site. 
There were no recorded violations of Saskatchewan Environment's hourly or 
24 hour standards of 17.0 pphm and 6.0 pphm respectively (Figures 8 
and 9). The highest value of 7.5 pphm occurred on November 12 at 1200 
hours. Weather information for this day-indicates winds blowing from the 
southwest quadrant, which would indicate the power plant as the probable 
source. The highest 24 hour value of 0.4 pphm occurred on May 24 and 
November 12. Weather data indicates winds blowing from the southern 
quadrants 46 and 42% of the time respectively. 

Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach did not exceed 
Saskatchewan Environment's 24 hour average standard of 120 micrograms per 
cubic metre (ug/m3/24 hours), as compared to 6 exceedances in 1984. The 
annual geometric mean fell from 39.8 ug/m^ in 1984 to 24.8 ug/m3 in 1985 
and continues to be well below the Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 ug/m3. 

In-stack monitoring results showed a similar variance in 1985 to that of 
1984. Daily nitrogen oxide concentrations ranged from 400 to 1216 
milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with an average yearly concentration of 
757 mg/m^ as compared to 800 mg/m^ in 1984. However, operating problems 
continued to plague the nitrogen oxides monitor; the monitor was not 
available 62% of the time. Daily sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged 
from 1554 to 4710 mg/m^ with an average yearly concentration of 2660 mg/m^ 
as compared to 2600 mg/m3 in 1984. 



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34 - 



Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 8.5 X 10"3 tonnes per megawatt hour 
due to firing on coal and 8.0 X 10-5 tonnes per megawatt hour due to 
firing on oil. Total coal consumption for 1985 was 3,878,000 tonnes and 
oil consumption was 2,743 tonnes (3,044 cubic metres). 

Average daily opacity readings ranged from 1 to 100%, with a yearly 
average of 19% as compared to 22% in 1984. Saskatchewan's opacity 
standard is 40%. In most instances, opacity violations generally occur 
during process start-up, shut down or when one of the precipitators 
experiences a power trip. 

Montana 

The State of Montana operated three primary air monitoring sites and five 
additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of Montana during 
1985. The parameters monitored included: sulphur dioxide, total 
suspended particulate, fine particulates, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind 
direction, and temperature. The primary air monitoring sites were 
operated from July 1984 through June 1985 because the 1983 Montana 
Legislature provided funding for only one additional year of monitoring 
which commenced after both Coronach units sustained near-capacity 
operation. The sulfation rate sites were operated for the entire year by 
utilizing funding from Montana's general air quality budget. The 
monitoring results are summarized in Table 8. 



- 35 - 

Table 8 

Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results During 1985 in Montana 



Sulphur Dioxide (pphm) 
















Site Highe 


St 1-hr 


Highe' 


St 3-hr 


Highest 24-hr 


Annual Avg. 


Border (6)1 12.7 


1 


6.4 




0.9 






0.1 


Hanrahan (6)1 


3.1 




2.4 




0.7 






0.1 


Sulfation Rate (mg/100 cm2/day) 














Site Jan. 


Feb. Mar. 


Apr. 


May June 


July 


Aug. 


Sep. 


Oct. 


Nov. Dec. 


Richardson .00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.01 


.00 


.00 


.05 .05 


Microwave Tower .10 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.01 


.00 


.00 


.05 


Flaxville .06 


.00 .00 


.01 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.04 .10 


TV Tower Hill .06 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.04 .04 


Scobey Downtown .07 


.01 .00 


.00 


.00 




.00 


.00 


.00 


.05 .06 


Four Buttes .00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.03 .00 


International .06 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.04 


.00 


.00 


.00 .10 


Boundary 


















International .10 


.04 .06 


.03 


.07 .20 












Boundary (S02)2(6)l 


















Hanrahan .00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.00 .00 


.00 


.01 


.00 


.00 


.04 .07 


Hanrahan .06 


.11 .15 


.02 


.07 .20 












(S02)^(6)l 


















Total Suspended Part 


iculate (u 


g/m3) 
























Geometric Arithmetic 


Site Highest 24-hr 


2nd 


Highest 


24-hr 




Mean 




Mean 


Border (6)1 


82 




62 






26.5 




29.6 


Hanrahan (6)1 


73 




68 






18.6 




22.9 


Richardson (6)1 


110 




69 






19.3 




27.8 


Fine Particulates (ug/m^) 

















Highest 2nd Highest Arithmetic 
24-hr 24-hr Mean 



International 


<2.5 micron 


16.2 


10.8 


6.0 


Boundary (6)1 


2.5-15 micron 


54.3 


33.7 


9.3 




<15 micron 


59.0 


49.9 


15.3 


Hanrahan (6)1 


<2.5 micron 


4.0 


3.9 


2.4 




2.5-15 micron 


45.1 


38.1 


10.9 




<15 micron 


49.1 


41.8 


13.3 


NOTES: 











1 Parentheses denote the number of sample months, 

2 The monthly sulphur dioxide averages (pphm) measured by the continuous 
sulphur dioxide analyzers are presented below the corresponding 
sulfation rate data for comparison purposes. 



36 - 



During the first half of 1985, sulphur dioxide concentrations remained 
less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality standards. 
The maximum 1-hour concentration of 12.7 pphm was recorded at the 
International Boundary site during January. This concentration is 
approximately one-fourth of the Montana standard. The highest 24-hour 
concentration of 0.9 pphm also occurred at the International Boundary site 
during January. The Montana 24-hour standard is 10 pphm. A comparison of 
sulphur dioxide concentrations with Class II Prevention of Significant 
Deterioration increments demonstrates that the 3-hour concentration is the 
averaging time which consumes the most increment. The 6.4 pphm 3-hour 
average at the International Boundary site would consume 33 percent of the 
available increment. All of the higher sulphur dioxide concentrations 
noted above occurred with northwest winds, indicating that the 
Saskatchewan Power Corporation generating facilities were the possible 
source. 

The Montana and United States standards for total suspended particulates 
were not exceeded at any of the three monitoring sites. The highest 
24-hour concentration was 110 ug/m^ recorded on April 19, 1985, at the 
Richardson site. The International Boundary site recorded the highest 
geometric and arithmetic means at 26.5 and 29.6 ug/m^, respectively. The 
levels of total suspended particulates observed during 1985 are low and 
representative of rural Montana. 



- 37 - 



Fine particulates in two size ranges were monitored at the International 
Boundary site and the Hanrahan site. Although there are presently no 
ambient standards for fine particulates, the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency has proposed standards for particulate matter with diameters less 
than 10 microns (PM-10). The proposal calls for an annual average in the 
range of 50-65 ug/m^ and a 24-hour standard in the range of 150-250 
ug/m^. Montana did not actually sample the 10 micron and less category; 
however, the data from the less than 2.5 and less than 15 micron diameter 
categories provides a good indication that PM-10 levels would be in 
compliance with the proposed standards. 

During 1985, the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences 
continued to operate an extended network of lead dioxide sulfation plates 
in the Poplar River area. The sulfation plate network includes the 
existing three primary monitoring sites and five additional locations: 
the Microwave Tower, Flaxville, the TV Tower, Four Buttes, and Scobey 
Downtown. The objective of the sulfation plate network is to obtain a 
broad geographical indication of sulphur dioxide concentrations and to 
investigate the relationship between sulfation rate and sulphur dioxide 
concentrations. Montana anticipates that funding will not be available in 
the future for continuous sulphur dioxide monitoring. Therefore, Montana 
hopes that sulfation rate will prove to be an inexpensive substitute. 



ANNEX 1 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



CANADA - UNITED STATES 



- 1 - 



September 23, 1980 

POPLAR RIVER 
COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 

I. PURPOSE 

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

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

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS 

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are: 

Government of Canada: Environment Canada 

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan 

Environment 
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 wil 1 

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 
piarticipating governments definitive changes in monitored parameters 
which may require immediate attention. 

(d) Preparation of Reports 

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

3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections 

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

(a) dissemination of information within their respective countries, and 
the arrangement of any discussion required with local 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. 



- 4 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 
1986 

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



CANADA - UNITED STATES 



May 1986 



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 Govern- 
ments. 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 in- 
formation 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, supple- 
mental 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 



1986 



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 


Station No, 


1. 




11AE003 
(06178500) 


2. 




11AE013 


3. 




1IAE015 


*4. 




11AE014 


5. 




**Fife Lake 0^ 


*6. 




11AE008 
(06178000) 



Station Name 

East Poplar River at 
International Boundary 

Cookson Reservoir near 
Coronach 

Girard Creek near Coronach 
Cookson Reservoir 

East Poplar River above 
Cookson Reservoir 



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 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 
Sampling Locations 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No. on 

Map 
1 

2** 
3«« 

A 
5 



Station No. 

01 5X02006002 

OOSK02000012 

05SK02000008 

05SK0200000A 

00SK02000003 



00SAILAE0008 



Station Name 

Fite Lake Overflow 

Girard Creek South of Town of Coronach 

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 

East Poplar River at International Boundary 



Parameters 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



ESQUADAT* 
Code 



Parameter 



10151 

10101 

1300A 

33004 

06201 

05451 

48002 

20103 

06052 

06005 

06301 

17203 

06711 

24004 

36012 

36002 

02041 

29005 

09105 

82002 

12102 

80011 

42005 

07015 

10401 

10501 

28002 

07110 

06521 

08102 

15406 

19103 

34005 

11002 

16306 

10451 

0206YZ 

23004 

30005 

10301 



Alkalinity-pheno 

Alkalinity-tot 

Aluminum tot 

Arsenic- tot 

Bicarbonates 

Boron-tot 

Cadmium-tot 

Calcium 

Carbon-tot Inorg 

Carbon- tot Org 

Carbonates 

Chloride 

Chlorophyll 'a' 

Chromium- tot 

Col i form- fee 

Coliform-cot 

Conductivity 

Copper- tot 

Flouride 

Lead-tot 

Magnesium 

Mercury- tot 

Molybdenum 

N-TKN 

NFR 

NFR (F) 

Nickel-tot 

Nitrate + NO2 

Oil and Grease 

Oxygen-diss 

Phosphorus- tot 

Potassium 

Selenium-Ext 

Sodium 

Sulphate 

TDS 

Temperature 

Vanadium-tot 

Zinc-tot 

PH 



Analytical 
Method 



Pot. Titration 
Pot. Titration 
■ AA-direct 
Flameless-A.A. 
Calculated 
ICPA 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 
AA-Direct 
IR 
IR 

Calculated 
Colourimetery 
Colourimetery 
AA-direct 
MF 
MF 

Conductivity meter 
AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 
Specific ion electrode 
AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 
AA-direct 
Flameless AA 

AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 
Colourimetry 
Gravimetric 
Gravimetric 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 
Colourimetry 
Pet. Ether Extraction 
Meter 

Colourimetry 
Flame Photometery 
Hydride Generation 
Flame Photometry 
Colourimetry 
Gravimetric 
Thermometer 
AA-Direct 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 
Electrometric 



Sampling Frequency 




Station 










No: 1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


OF 


Q 


Q 





Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 










A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


U 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





OF 


Q 


Q 





Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





U 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 





OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 







A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 





Q 





Q 


OF 


y 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


W 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 



' l^oniputer storage and retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment — 

Symbols: W - Weekly during overflow; OF - once during each period of overflow greater 
than 2 weeks' duration; Q - quarterly; A - annually in the fall; AA - atomic 
f,TM2^P*^^°"= ^^ " infj^ared; Pot - potentiometrlc; NFR - nonf llterable residue 
NFRF - nonfilterable residue, fixed. 

AA - Solvent Extract (MIBK): 
isobutyl ketone. 

ICPA - Plasma emmlssion 

MF - membrane filtration 

Location under review in 1986. 



Sample digested with HNO3 and extracted with methyl 



PARAMETERS (Continued) 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 









Sampling Frequency 


NAQUADAT* 




Analytical 


Station 


Code 


Parameter 


Method 


No: 6 


10151 


Alkalinity-pheno 


Potentiometric 


M 


10111 


Alkalinity-tot 


TitroprocessoT 


M 


13102 


Alumininn-Diss. 


AA-Direct 


M 


07569 


Ammonia-Free 


Calculated 


H 


07506 


Ammonia- tot 


Electrometric 


M 


33108 


Arsenic-diss 


Plasma 


M 


56001 


Barium-tot 


AA Direct 


M 


06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 


M 


05105 


Boron-diss 


Carminic Acid 


M 


A8002 


Cadmium- tot 


AA Solv. Ext, 


M 


20103 


Calcium 


AA-Direct 


M 


06902 


Carbon-partic 


Elemental Analyzer 


■M 


06002 


Carbon- tot Org 


Calculated 


M 


06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


M 


17206 


Chloride 


Colourimetric 


M 


06717 


Chlorophyll a 


Spec tropho tome trie 


M 


2A003 


Chromium- tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


27002 


Cobalt-tot 


AA Solv. Ext. 


M 


36012 


Coliform-fec 


MF 


M 


36002 


Coliform-tot 


MF 


M 


02021 


Colour - true 


Comparator 


M 


02041 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


M 


29005 


Copper- tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


06604 


Cyanide 


UV-Colourimetric 


M 


09106 


Fluoride 


Electrometric 


M 


10602 


Hardness 


Calculated 


M 


08501 


Hydroxide 


Calculated 


M 


26104 


Iron-diss 


AA-direct 


M 


82002 


Lead-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


12102 


Magnesium 


AA-direct 


M 


25104 


Manganese-diss 


AA-direct 


M 


80011 


Mercury- tot 


Flameless AA 


M 


07902 


N-particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


M 


07651 


N-tot diss 


UV Colourimetric 


M 


10401 


NFR 


Gravimetric 


M 


28002 


Nickel-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


07110 


Nitrate 


Colourimetric 


M 


07603 


Nitrogen-tot 


Calculated 


M 


180XX 


Organo Chlorines 


GC 


M 


08101 


Oxygen-diss 


Winkler 


M 


15901 


P-particulate 


Calculated 


M 


15103 


P-tot diss 


Colourimetric 


M 


06535 


Phenolics 


Colourimetric 


M 


185XX 


Phenoxy Herbicides 


GC 


M 


15406 


Phosphorus- tot 


Colourimetric 


M 


19103 


Potassium 


Flame Emission 


M 


18S99 


Picloram 


GC 


M 


11201 


Percent Sodium 


Calculated 


M 


00210 


Sat Index 


Calculated 


M 


34102 


Selenium-diss 


Plasma 


M 


14102 


Silica 


Colourimetric 


M 


11103 


Sodium 


Flame Emission 


M 


00211 


Stab Index 


Calculated 


M 


16306 


Sulphate 


Colourimetric 


M 


00201 


TDS 


Calculated 


M 


02061 


Temperature 


Alcohol 


M 


02073 


Turbidity 


Nephelometric 


M 


23002 


Vanadium-tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


30002 


Zinc- tot 


AA-Solv. Ext. 


M 


10301 


pH 


Electrometric 


M 


92111 


Uranium 


Flurometric 


MC 



♦Computer storage and retrieval system - Environment Canada 

Symbols: M-Monthly; AA-atomic absorption; MF-membrane filtration; UV-ultraviolet ; 
NFR-nonf ilterable residue; GC-gas chromatography; MC-Monthly Composite; 

- 9 - 




- 11 - 



GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 

Sampling Locations 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 

Station Description 





SPC 


Sampling 




Station 


Piezometer No. 
C726A 


Elevation (m) 
746.338 


Material 


8a 


unoxidized till 




C726C 


752.739 


oxidized till 




C7260 


755.543 


oxidized till 


8« 


C726E 


738.725 


empress gravel 


9a 


C728A 


753.105 


oxidized till 




C7288 


743.265 


unoxidized till 




C728C 


747.645 


mottled till 




C7280 


752.305 


oxidized till 


9a 


C728E 


739.912 


empress gravel 


2a 


C712B 


746.112 


oxidized till 


2b 


C718 


748.385 


mottled till 


2c 


C719 


747.715 


oxidized till 


C533 


C533 


740.441 


empress gravel 


C534 


C534 


753.499 


till 


18 


C741 


735.153 


empress gravel 


19 


C735 


753.789 


empress gravel 


21 


C742 


741.800 


empress gravel 



Parameters 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



ESQUADAT* 




Analytical 




Code 


Parameter 


Method 




10101 


Alkalinity-tot 


Pot-Tltratlon 




13105 


AluninuiD-Dlss 


AA-Direct 




33104 


Arsenic-Dlss 


Flameless AA 




56104 


Barium-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 




05106 


Boron-diss 


Colourimetry 




48102 


Cadmiuo-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


20103 


Calcium-Dlss 


AA-direct 




06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 




17203 


Chlorlde-Dlss 


Colourimetry 




24104 


Chromium-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




27102 


Colbalt-Dlss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


02011 


Colour 


Comparator 




02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity meter 




:9105 


Copper-Dlss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


09105 


Fluoride-Dlss 


Specific Ion tlectrode 


26014 


Iron-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




82103 


Lead-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


12102 


Magiiesium-uiss 


AA-Direct 




25104 


Manganese-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




801 11 


Mercury-Dlss 


Flameless AA 




42102 


Molybdenum- Diss 


AA-Solvent extract 
acetate) 


(N-Butyl 


10301 


pH 


Electrometrlc 




19103 


Potassium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 




34105 


Selenium-Diss 


Hydride generation 




14102 


Silica-Diss 


Colourimetry 




11103 


Sodium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 




38101 


Strontlum-Diss 


AA-Direct 




16306 


Sulphace-Diss 


Colourimetry 




10451 


TDS 


Gravimetric 




92111 


Uranium-Diss 


Fluorometry 




23104 


Vanadium-Dlss 


AA-Direct 




97025 


Water Level 






30105 


Zinc-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 



Sampling Frequency 

Station 

No: Piezometers 



3 
3 
3 
3 
A 
A 

^ ^ [tract (MIBK) A 

No zinc or iron for piezometers C533 or C534 
* Computer Storage and Retrieval System - Saskatchewan Environment 
Symbols: AA - atomic absorption. A - Annually. 3 - Three times per year 
AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK); sample acidified and extracted with Methyl 
Isobutyl Ketone 



- 12 - 



R. 27 



II.26 




A«h 
Loqoons 



CSJ3 
CS34 



1/9 



21 



A 



SCALt 

lOoOMcrai* 



CANADA 



as. A. 



GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



- 13 - 



GROUND WATER PCEZOMBTERS TO MONITOR 

POTENTIAL DRAfcfDOWN DUE TO COAL 

SEAM DEWATKRING 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation 
Measurement Frequency: Quarterly 



SPG 
Piezometer No. 


Station 
Number 


Location 


Sampling 
Elevation (m) 


52 


52 


NW14-1-27W3 


738.43 


506 


506A 


SW4-1-27W3 


748.27 


507 


507 


SW6-I-26W3 


725.27 


509 


509 


NW11-1-27W3 


725.82 


510 


510 


NW1-1-28W3 


769.34 



Perforation Zone 
(depth in metres) i 

43 - 49 (in coal) 

81 - 82 (in coal) 1 

34 - 35 (in coal) 

76 - 77 (in coal) | 

28 - 29 (in layered 
coal and clay) I 



- 14 - 




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 



Station 

la 

lb 

Ic 

2ai 

232 

2a3 

2 34 

2b 

2c 

3a 

3b 

3c 



SPG 
Piezometer No. 

C716 

C717 

0711 

C712A 

C712B 

C712C 

C712D 

C718 

C719 

C713 

C720 

G721 



Frequency of Measurement 

All piezometer levels 
are measured quarterly 



6aj 
6a2 
633 
634 

731 

732 
733 
734 
C534 



C763A 
C763B 
C763C 
C763D 
C729A 
C729B 
C729C 
C729D 
0534 



831 
832 
833 
834 
8bi 
8b2 
8b3 
8ci 
8c2 
8c3 
8c4 
8d 



C730A 
0730B 
07300 
0730D 
0727A 
0727B 
07270 
0726A 
0726B 
07260 
0726D 
0748 



93 



9a2 
933 
934 
9bi 
9b2 
9b3 
9b4 



07 64 A 
0764B 
07640 
C764D 
C728A 
C728B 
C7280 
C728D 



- 16 



R.27 



T.I 



R.26 

LEGEND 
Q SiB«U Pivioniar ia Till 

a 

8 Sitt Nuaikw 




SCALE 



•oe looo MCTatt 



CANADA 



US. A. 



PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES - SCHEDULE 'A* PIEZOMETERS IN TILL 



- 17 - 



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



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



Station 






SPG 


Innnediate Ash Ls 


igoon 


Area 


Piezometer No. 


1 






C731 


6a 






C763E 


6b 






C765A 


C529 






C529 


C530 






C530 


C532 






€532 


C533 






C533 


C538 






C538 


8 
9 






C730E 
C728E 



Frequency of Measurement 

All piezometers are 
monitored quarterly 



West of Ash Lagoon Area 



11 
14 
16 



C743 
C740 
0756 



South of Ash Lagoon Area 



C525 

C526 

0527 

C539 

C540 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 



C525 
C526 
C527 
C539 
C540 
C741 
C735 
C736 
0742 
C733 
C732 
0734 



- U 



R. 27 



R.26 



LEGEND 




A 



SCALE 
•00 lOOO MTOtt 



IS (Die 



(3 

C525 



" C527 



17 C539 C540 



@18 




5)21 



D19 



320 



D22 



CANADA 



US. A. 



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



- 19 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No. 


on Map 


Location 


Parameters 




1 


Coronach 


Sulphur 
Dioxide 

Wind speed 
and 
direction 

Total 

Suspended 
Particulates 



Inter- Sulphur 
national Dioxide 
Boundary* 

Total 
Suspended 
Particulates 



METHODS 



Sulphur Dioxide 



Total Suspended 
Particulates 



Reporting Frequency 

Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 

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 

24-hour samples on 6-day 
cycle, corresponding to the 
National Air Pollution 
Surveillance Sampling Schedule. 



Saskatchewan Environment 
Colourimetric Titration, 
Pulsed Fluorescence 

Saskatchewan Environment 
High Volume Method 



The station operated by Saskatchewan Power 



20 




AMBIENT AIR OUALITV HONITORINS 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



- 21 



SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 



No. on Map 
1 



Station Location 

At Poplar River 
Power Plant 



Parameters 

Sulphur Dioxide 
Nitrogen Dioxide, 
Opacity. 



Sampling Frequency 

Continuous reported 
as Hourly Averages 



METHODS 
Sulphur Dioxide 

Nitrogen Dioxide 

Opacity 



Saskatchewan Environment 
Ultraviolet Absorption 

Saskatchewan Environment 
Chemi luminescence 

Saskatchewan Environment 
Optical 



- 22 - 



R. 27 



R.26 



T.I 




Ash 
Loqoons 



A 



SCALE 
•00 looo HI Tact 
-J . 1 k 



CANADA 



US. A. 



SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 



23 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1986 



UNITED STATES 



- 25 - 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 

Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey 

No. on Map Station Number Station Name 

*1 06178000 (11AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary 

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

Boundary 



International gauging station 



26 




CANADA 
U. iA. 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



- 27 



SURFACE HATER QUALITY MONITORING 

Station Location 

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey 



No. on 
Map 



USGS 
Station 

No. 

06178000 
06178500 



Station Name 

Poplar River at International Boundary 

East Poplar River at International 

Boundary 

East Poplar River near Scobey 



PAIAHETERS 



Sanpling Frequ 



Analytical 
BCttaod 



90410 
01106 
00610 
00625 
01000 
01002 
01010 
01012 
01020 
01025 
01027 
00915 
00680 
00940 
01030 
01034 
000 BO 
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 

Aluaini^i-disa 

Aaoonia-tot 

Aaaonia^Org N-tot 

Araeoic— dias 

Araenic-tot 

BerylliuB-diaa 

Berylliuv-tot/rec 

BoroD-diaa 

CadmiuB-diaa 

CadaiuM-tot/rec 

CalciuB 

Carbon-tot Org 

Chloride-dias 

Chronium-diaa 

Chromium- to t/rec 

Color 

CooductiTity 

Copper— diaa 

Copper-tot/ rec 

Diacbarge-inat 

Fluoride 

IroD-dlaa 

Irott-tot/rec 

Lead-diaa 

Lead-tot/rec 

MaKneaiuv-diaa 

Hani; aneae— diaa 

Hanganeae— tot/rec 

Nickel-diaa 

Nickel tot/rec 

Nitrite-tot 

Nitrate*Ni trite-tot 

Oxygeo-diaa 

Fboa, Orttao-tot 

pH 

PbopboToua-tot 

Potaaaiim-diaa 

SAR 

Sed iacnt— cone . 

Sediaent-load 

Selenitaa-diaa 

SeleoiuB tot/rec 

Silica 

Sodiua 

Sulfate-diaa 

Total Diaaolved Solida 

Te«p Hater 

Temp Air 

Turbidity 

UraniuB-diaa 

Zinc-diaa 

2inc-tot/rec 



Elect. Titration 

AA 

Colonaetric 

Coloriaetric 

AA. bydride 

AA, bydride 

AA 

AA-Peraulfate 

ICP 

AA 

AA-perauIfate 

AA 

Wet Oxidation 

Ion cbroAatography 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

Electroaetric , viaual 

Vbeatatone Bridge 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

Direct aeaaur. 

Electroaetric 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

AA 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 

Color Inetric 

Coloriaetric 

Hinkler/aeter 

Coloriaetric 

Electroaetric 

Coloriaetric 

AA 

Calculated 

Filtratioo-graviaetric 

Calculated 

AA, bydride 

AA, hydride 

Coloriaetric 

AA 

Coloriaetric 

Calculated 

Toluene 

Toluene 

Nepbeloaetric 

Fluoriactric 

AA 

AA-peraulfate 



*Co«puter atoragc and retrieval ayacaa - DSCS 

Syabola: C-continuoua; D-daily; H-aontbly; MC-aonthly coapoaite; A-amually 
at bigb flow; SA-aeai-annually at low and bigh flow; AA-atoalc 
abaorption; tot-total; rec— recoverable; diaa-diaaolved 



- 28 




SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



- 29 



GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 

Station Locations 

Reifranaible Agency: Montana Bureau of Hinet and Geology 







Total 


Caeinc 


Pei 


rforatioo 


Nap 


U*U 


Depth 


Dleaeter 




Zone 


Number 


Location 


(-) 


(e.) 


Aquifer 


(■) 




17N47E17DABB 


79 


3.8 PVC 


Hart Coal 


76-79 




37N47E23AAOD 


36 


3.8 PVC 


Hart Coal 


33-36 




17N4<E23BBCC 


104 


3.8 PVC 


Pox HiUa- 
Hcll Creek 


102-104 




17N47E1ABBB1 


16 


10.2 PVC 


Alluviua 


10-15 




37114 7E1ABBB2 


2S 


10.2 PVC 


Hart Coal 


19-25 




37N47E12BBBB 


45 


10.2 PVC 


Hart Coal 


39-45 




37N47E13AADD 


14 


10.2 PVC 


Alluviua 


10-13 




37H47E13ADAA01 


43 












63 


10.2 PVC 


Port Union 


16-62 




37N48e;babB 


13 


10.2 PVC 


Alluviua-Coal 


7-13 




37H48ESAAAA 


67 


15.2 STEEL 


Pox Hilla- 
Hell Creek 


65-67 




37MA7E Sec U DDDO 


26 


5.08 


Hart Coal 


15-18 




37N47E Sec 3 CCCC 


62.5 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


56-59 




37N47E Sec 4 BBAB 


S2.6 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


75-78 




J7K47E Sec 3 BBAA 


89 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


83-86 




37M46E Sec 3 ABAB 


26 


10.2 




24-25 




37M47C Sec 16 DDDD 


88 


10.6 


Hart Coal 


80-83 




37N46E Sec 1 BBBA 


90 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


80-82 




37N47E Sec 15 AAAB 


59 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


54-56 




37M47E Sec 24 CCCC 


22 


5.08 




19-22 




37H47E Sec 6 DBAA 


106 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


100-103 




37N47E Sec 9 CBCC 
Parameters 


21 


10.2 




18-21 


Stotet* 




AnalyClcal 


Sampling Frequency 


Code 


Paramecer 


Method 




Station No. 



Bicarbonaces 
Boron-diss 



0091 S 


Calcium 


OOAAS 


Carbonates 


00940 


Chloride 


00095 


Conductivity 


01040 


Copper-diss 


00950 


Fluoride 


01046 


Iron-diss 


01049 


Lead-diss 


01130 


Lithium-diss 


00925 


Magnesium 


01056 


Manganese-diss 


01060 


Molybdenum 


00630 


Nitrate 


00400 


pH 


00935 


Potassium 


01145 


Selenium-diss 


00955 


Silica 


00930 


Sodium 


01080 


Strontium-diss 


00445 


Sulphate 


22703 


Uranium 


00190 


Zinc-diss 


70301 


TDS 



Sample collection 
is semi-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. 



Electroraetric 

Titration 
Emission Plasma 

ICP 
Emission Plasma 
Electrometric 

Titration 
Ion Chromatography 

Wheatstone Brdg 
Emission Plasma, 

ICP 
Ion Chromatography 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Ion Chromatography 
Electrometric 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
AA 

Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Ion Chromatography 
Fusion Fluroraetric 
Emission Plasma, ICP 
Calculated 

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



- 30 - 




GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



- 31 - 



GROUND WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR 



POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO 



COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 



No. on Map Sampling 

2 to 22 Determine water levels 

, quarterly 



- 32 - 




GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITER POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



- 33 - 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 

Responsible Agency: State of Montana 

Air Quality Bureau 



Sampling Frequency 



No. on Map 


Location 


Parameters 




and Reporting 


1 


Scobey 


Sulfur Dioxide 


Hourly averages 






Suspended 




24-hour 


averages 






particu 


ilates 










Fine particulates 


24-hour 


averages 






Wind speed 


1 


Hourly averages 






Wind direction 


Hourly averages 






Temperature 


Hourly averages 






Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 




2 


Scobey - 


Suspended 




24-hour 


averages 




Richardson 


particulates 










Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


3 


Microwave Tower 


Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


4 


Flaxville 


Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


5 


TV Tower Hill 


Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


6 


Scobey-Downtown 


Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


7 


Four Buttes 


Sulfation 


rate 


Monthly 


averages 


METHODS 













Sulfur Dioxide 
Total Suspended 

Sulfation Rate 



EPA Equivalent Method EQSA-0276-009 

EPA reference Method CFR Title 40 Part 50, Appendix B 
(State of Montana QA Manual Section 1.1.10 and 1.2.10) 
24-hour sample once/6 days, corresponding to the National 
Air Pollution Surveillance sampling schedule. 

Methods of Air Sampling and Analysis, 2nd Edition, 
Tentative Method of Analysis of the Sulfation Rate of 
the Atmosphere (Lead Dioxide Plate Method - Turbidimetric 
Analysis), p. 691. 



- 34 




AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



35 - 



- 36 - 



ANNEX 3 



METRIC CONVERSIONS 



1 - 



ac 

ac-ft 



L 



m 



m 



nun 
tonne 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 
4,047 m^ = 0.4047 ha 
1,233.5 m3 = 1.2335 dam^ 



C- = 1.8 F- 

0.3937 in. 



cm 

cm2 = 0.155 in2 

danj3 = 1,000 m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft 

ft.3 = 28.3171 X 10"^m^ 

Ija = 10,000 m2 = 2.471 ac 

^^ = 100 m = 328.08 ft 

hm3 = 1 X 106 m3 

I.gpm = 0.0758 L/s 

in = 2.54 cm 

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X lO'^ tons 

km = 0.62137 miles 

km2 = 0.3861 mi^ 

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

L/g = 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm 
3.2808 ft 

,2 = 10.7636 ft^ 

.3 = 1.000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I. gal = 264.2 U.S. gal 

mVs = 35.314 cfs 

0.00328 ft 
1,000 kg = 1.1023 ton (short) 



U.S. gpm = 0.0631 L/s 

For Air Samples 

ppn. = 100 pphm = 1000 X (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m 

- 2 -