1995 ANNUAL REPORT 



to the 

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA ^^^ ^ocumms comrm 

M VI 1997 

il«ONTANA STATE LIBRARY 

'^^-J^^!Vo.?aV/C 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER 
BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 




Poplor 



COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1995 






• %Bia 







December 1996 



Montana State Library 



3 0864 1004 5767 3 



1995 ANNUAL REPORT 



to the 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN, AND MONTANA 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 
COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1995 



December, 1996 



Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee 



Dq)artnient of State 
Washington, D.C., United States 

Governor's Office 

State of Montana 

Helena, Montana, United States 



Department of External Affairs 
and International Trade Canada 
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 

Saskatchewan Environment and 
Resource Management 
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 



Ladies and Gentlemen: 

Haein is tfie 15* Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This rq»rt 
discusses the Committee activities of 1995 and presents the proposed schedule for 1996. 

During 1995, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfil the 
responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring 
Agreement dated Sq)tember 23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on 
March 12, 1987, the Arrangement was extended to March 1991. In July 1992, another exchange 
of Diplomatic Notes extended the Arrangement retroactively fhjm March 31, 1991 to March 31, 
19%. In addition, the Arrangement was modified to terminate the quarterly exchange of data and 
substitute an annual exchange of data. 

The enclosed rqwrt summarizes current conditions and compares them to guidelines for specific 
parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission under the 1977 
Reference from Canada and the United States. After examination and evaluation of the 
monitoring information for 1995, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the 
recommmded objectives. However, the Committee notes that the flow-weighted concentration 
of total dissolved solids in streamflow in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 
continues to increase and is approaching the long-term objective of 1,000 milligrams per litre. The 
Committee also notes that there is the need to finalize the three unresolved parameters - pH, 
mercury in fish, and unionized ammonia. 

During 1995, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined 
in 1992 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. 



Yours sincerely. 



Robert Davis 
Chairman^nited States Section 




Richard Kellow 

Chairman, Canadian Section 



/Ce . ^ . ~X .:t-c 



GirffFritz 
Member, Uni 



States Section 



4^— 



2C 



Darryl Nargang 
Member, Canadian Section 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Highlights for 1995 iii 

1.0 Introduction 1 

2.0 Committee Activities 2 

2.1 Memberships 2 

2.2 Meetings 2 

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3 

2.4 Data Exchange 3 

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 5 

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 5 

3.2 East Poplar River 5 

3.2.1 Streamflow 5 

3.2.2 Apportionment 6 

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 6 

3.2.4 On-demand Release 7 

3.2.5 Water-Quality 8 

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 9 

3.2.5.2 Boron 13 

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 16 

3.3 Ground-Water 18 

3.3.1 Operations 18 

3.3.2 Ground-water Levels 19 

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 19 

3.3.2.1.1 Frenchman Ground- Water Project 22 

3.3.2.2 Montana 22 

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 23 

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 23 

3.3.3.2 Montana 28 

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 28 

3.4.1 Storage 28 

3.4.2 Water-Quality 30 

3.5 Air-Quality 30 

3.6 Quality Control 30 

3.6.1 Streamflow 30 

3.6.2 Water-Quality 31 

ANNEXES 

1.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 

Canada-United States Al 

2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical 

Monitoring Schedules, 1996, Canada-United States A2 

3 .0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3 



Table 2.1 


Table 3.1 


Table 3.2 


Table 3.3 


Table 3.4 


Table 3.5 



TABLES 

Water-Quality Objectives 4 

Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1995 Sampling 

Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 17 

Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary 

Water Supply Project Wells Sampled at Site "C3 " on Girard Creek 23 

Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project 

Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 24 

Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1995 29 

Streamflow Measurement Results for August 25, 1995 31 

FIGURES 



Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1995 Compared with the Median Discharge for 1961-1990 for the 

Poplar River at the International Boundary 6 

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at 

the International Boundary 7 

Figure 3.3 TDS Concentrations for 1995 Grab Samples from East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 10 

Figure 3.4 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 10 

Figure 3.5 Five- Year Moving, Flow- Weighted TDS Concentration for East 

Poplar River at the International Boundary 12 

Figure 3.6 Daily TDS Concentration, 1982 to 1995, East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 12 

Figure 3.7 Boron Concentrations for 1995 Grab Samples from East Poplar 

River at the International Boundary 14 

Figure 3.8 Three-Month Moving, Flow- Weighted Boron Concentration for East 

Poplar River at the International Boundary 14 

Figure 3.9 Five- Year Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East 

Poplar River at the International Boundary 15 

Figure 3.10 Daily Boron Concentration, 1982 to 1995 East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 15 

Figure 3.11 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1995 20 

Figure 3.12 Cone of Depression in the Empress Sands Due to the 

Salinity Projects as of December 1995 21 

Figure 3.13 Hydrographs of Selected Wells 22 

Figure 3.14 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 28 

Figure 3.15 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily water Levels for 1995 and Mean Daily 

Monthly Water Levels for 1981-1991 29 



-u 



HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1995 



The Poplar River Power Station completed its twelfth full year of operation in 1995. The two 
300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4 472 200 gross megawatt hours of electricity which is 
about 102 percent of the 1994 power and 103 percent of 1993 power. The average capacity 
factors for Units No. 1 and 2 was 87.2 percent and 85.3 percent, respectively. 

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 1995 was exchanged 
in the spring of 1996. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters 
met the requirements identified in the 1995 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1994 
annual report. 

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal in 1995. The March to October recorded 
flow for the Poplar River at the International Boundary was 3 340 danf or 33 per cent of the 1931 
to 1990 median seasonal flow. The 1995 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary was 2 530 dam^ This volume is 85 per cent of the median annual flow 
since the completion of the Morrison Dam in 1975. The on-demand release, in accordance with 
the apportionment recommendations of the International Joint Commission (UC), entitled 
Montana to a release of 617 dam^ from Cookson Reservoir during the twelve month period 
commencing June 1, 1994. Montana requested this release to be made between April 11 and May 
31, 1995. In addition to the minimum flow, a volume of 628 danf was delivered during this 
period. 

It is noted that the 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations of total dissolved solids for the 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary were continuing to approach the 1 000 milligrams 
per litre objective. The calculated 5-year flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solids for 
1995 was 989 milligrams per litre. However, the concentration of boron for 1995 was 1.84 
milligrams per litre, below its objective of 2.5 milligrams per litre. 



1.0 INTRODUCTION 



The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of five years 
by the Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River Cooperative 
Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to 
this report as Annex 1. On March 12, 1987, the Arrangement was extended by the Governments 
for four years to March 1991. The Arrangement was further extended for another five years to 
March 1996, following a request from the Committee in 1991. A more detailed account of the 
historical background of the Monitoring Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Annual Report of 
the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. 

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

The Committee submits an annual report to Governments which summarizes the monitoring 
results, evaluates apparent trends, and compares the data to objectives or standards recommended 
by the International Joint Commission (UC) to Governments, or relevant State, Provincial, or 
Federal standards. The Committee reports to Governments on a calendar year basis. This report 
is the fifteenth 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 monitormg programs in both 
countries and make recommendations to Government 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. 



2.0 COMMITTEE ACTrvrriES 
2.1 Membership 



The Committee is composed of representatives of the Governments of the United States of 
America and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of 
Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve 
as local representatives for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan. 

During 1995, the members of the Committee included: Mr. J. A. Moreland, U.S. Geological 
Survey, United States representative and Cochair; Mr. R. Kellow, Environment Canada, 
Canadian representative and Cochair; Mr. G. Fritz, Montana Department of Natural Resources 
and Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. D. D. Nargang, Saskatchewan Environment and 
Resource Management, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W. Tande, Daniels County 
Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio representative; and Mr. J.R. Totten, Reeve, R.M. of Hart 
Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative. 



2.2 Meetings 



The Committee met on August 2 and 3, 1995, in Helena, Montana. Delegated representatives of 
Governments, with the exception of the two ex-officio members from Montana and Saskatchewan, 
attended the meeting. In addition to Committee members, several technical advisors representing 
Federal, State and Provincial agencies participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the 
Committee reviewed the operational status of the Poplar Power Plant and associated coal mining 
activities; examined data collected in 1994 iiKluding surface water-quality and quantity, ground 
water-quality and quantity, and air quality; established the Technical Monitoring Schedules for 
1996; discussed proposed changes in water-quality objectives and the possibility of replacing the 
flow-weighing method currently used to compute total dissolved solids and boron. The Committee 
also prepared the first draft of the 1994 annual Report to Governments. 



2.3 Review of Water-Oualitv Objectives 

The International Joint Commission in its Report to Governments, titled " Water-Quality in the 
Poplar River Basin", recommended that the Committee "periodically review the water-quality 
objectives within the overall Basin context and recommend new and revised objectives as 
appropriate". In 1991, the Committee undertook a review of water-quality objectives. 

The Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the 1991 
subcommittee which was formed to review the objectives. Revised objectives approved by the 
Committee are listed in Table 2.1. 

The Committee discussed the water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted 
concentrations for total dissolved solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that 
calculation procedures to determine flow-weighted concentrations are time consuming and 
probably scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or 
procedures. Objectives for unionized ammonia, pH, and mercury in fish tissue and the rational for 
using flow- weighted averages in the determinations of total dissolved solids and boron will require 
additional study. 

Another responsibility of the Committee has included an ongoing exchange of data acquired 
through the monitoring programs. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing 
at the agencies of the participating governments or fi-om Committee members. 

2.4 Data Exchange 

The Committee is responsible for assuring exchange of data between governments. The exchange 
of monitoring information was initiated in the first quarter of 1981 and was an expansion of the 
informal quarterly exchange program initiated between the United States and Canada in 1976. 
Until 1991, data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. At the request of the Committee, the 
United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual 
exchange effective at the beginning of the 1992 calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged 
once each year as soon after the end of the calendar year as possible. However, unusual 
conditions or anomalous information will be reported and exchanged whenever warranted. No 
unusual conditions occurred during 1995 which warranted special reporting. 



Table 2.1 Water-quality Objectives 



PARAMETER 


PRESENT 
OBJECTIVE 


RECOMMENDATION 


NEW OBJECTIVE 


Boron - total 


3.5/2.5' 


Discontinue flow weighting 


7 


TDS 


1500/1000' 


Discontinue flow weighting 


? 


Aluminum, dissolved 


0.1 


Discontinue 





Ammonia, un-ionized 


0.02 


Base objective on temperamre 
and pH (table to be done later) 




Cadmium, total 


0.0012 


Continue as is 


0.0012 


Chromium, total 


0.05 


Discontinue 





Copper, dissolved 


0.005 


Discontinue 


... 


Copper, total 


1.0 


Continue as is 


1.0 


Fluoride, dissolved 


1.5 


Continue as is 


1.5 


Lead, total 


0.03 


Continue as is 


0.03 


Mercury, dissolved 


0.0002 


Change to total 


0.0002 


Mercury, fish (mg/kg) 


0.5 


Discuss with fisheries people 


7 


Nitrate 


10 


Continue as is 


10 


Oxygen, dissolved 


4.0/5.0" 


Objective applies only during 
open water 


4.0/5.0' 


SAR (units) 


10.0 


Continue as is 


10.0 


Sulfate, dissolved 


800 


Continue as is 


800 


Zinc, total 


0.03 


Continue as is 


0.03 


Water temperature (C) 


30.0^ 


Continue as is 


30.0^ 


pH (units) 


6.5* 


Continue as is (need to 
determine what is natural) 


6.5* 


Conform (no./lOO ml) 








Fecal 


2,000 


Discontinue 





Total 


20,000 


Discontinue 





Units in mg/L except as noted. 

1. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron, < 1,(XX) 
TDS. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentration should be <3.5 boron and < 1500 TDS. 

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

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

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



3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 



3.1 Poplar River Powe r Station Operation 

In 1995, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 87.2 percent. The average capacity factor 
for Unit No. 2 was 85.3 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generation 
rating of 297.8 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 294.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated 
from both units was 4 472 200 gross megawatt-hours which is about 102 percent of 1994 power 
and 103 percent of 1993 power. 

There was no major construction activity during 1995 as compared to 1994 when Ash Lagoon #3 
South was constructed. A minor construction project was started in the fall of 1995 to install a 
new discharge culvert between Ash Lagoons 1 and 2. 

3.2 East Poplar River 

3.2.1 Streamflow 

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal in 1995. The March to October recorded 
flow of the Poplar River at the International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, 
was 3 340 cubic decameters (dam^) or 33 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow. 
However, timely precipitation sustained above-average flows in the normally dry late-summer 
months after below-average snowmelt runoff in the spring. A comparison of 1995 mean monthly 
discharge with the l%l-90 median flow is shown in Figure 3.1. 




MAR 



APR 



MAY 



JUN 



JUL 



AUG 



SEP 



OCT 



Figure 3. 1 Discharge during 1995 as Compared with the Median Discharge from 1931- 
IS^ for Poplar River at the International Boundary. 

The 1995 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary was 2 530 
dam'. This volume is 85 % of the median annual flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 
1975. 

3.2.2 Apportionment 

In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task 
Force, completed an investigation and made a recommoidation to the Governments of Canada and 
the United States regarding the aj^rtionment 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 Recommendations in each of its annual reports. Annex 3 contains 
the apportionment recommendation. 

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 



The recorded volume of the Poplar River at the International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 
1995 was 2 110 dam^ Based on UC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow 
is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar of 
0.028 mVs for the period June 1, 1995 to May 31, 1996. The minimum flow for the period 
January 1 to May 31, 1995 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow 
volume for March 1 to May 31, 1994. A hydrograph of the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the UC are shown in Figure 3.2. 



Daily flows during 1995 cwcasionally fell below the recommended minimum during the winter 
months because of beaver activity, ice conditions, and severe cold spells. The deficit volume for 
January through March, 1995, was 10 dam' - an average of 0.001 mVs per day. 




FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV OEC 



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



3.2.4 On Demand Release 



In addition to the minimum flow, the UC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an 
on demand release to be delivered during the twelve month period commencing June 1. Based on 
the runoff volume of 13 200 dam' recorded at the Poplar River at the International Boundary 
gaging station during the March 1 to May 31, 1994 period, Montana was entitled to a release of 
617 dam' from Cookson Reservoir during the twelve month period commencing June 1, 1994. 
Montana requested this release to be made between April 11 and May 31, 1995. In addition to 
the minimum flow, a volume of 628 dam' was delivered during this period. 



3.2.5 Water-Quality 



The 1981 report by the UC to Governments recommended: 

For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations 
should not exceed 3.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L)for boron and 1500 mg/Lfor 
TDS for any three consecutive months in the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary. For the March to October period, the long-term 
average of flow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, 
and 1000 mg/L or less for TDS 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 TDS were calculated solely from monthly monitoring results. Since the beginning of 1982, 
the US Geological Survey (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 the regression relationship with specific conductance. Thus, three-month FWCs 
for the period 1982 to 1995 have been calculated from both the results of monthly monitoring and 
the daily concenfration estimates. 

The Bilateral Monitoring Conmiittee adopted the approach that for the purpose of comparison 
with the proposed UC long-term objectives, the boron and TDS data are best plotted as five-year 
moving FWCs which were advanced one month at a time. Prior to 1988, long-term averages were 
calculated for a five year period in which 2.5 years preceded and 2.5 years followed each plotted 
point. Beginning in 1988, FWCs were calculated from the five year period preceding each plotted 
point. For example, the FWC for December 1995 refers to the FWC of the period December 1990 
to December 1995. The calculations are based on the results of samples collected throughout the 
year, and are not restricted to only those collected during the months bracketing the period of 
irrigation (March to October) each year. 



3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 

There is an inverse relationship between TDS and streamflow at the International Boundary 
station. During periods of high runoff, such as spring freshet, TDS drops as the proportion of 
streamflow derived ultimately from ground- water decreases. Conversely, during times of low 
streamflow Gate summer, winter) the contribution of ground- water to streamflow is proportionaUy 
greater. Because the natural ground- water has a higher ionic strength than the surface water 
entering the river, the TDS of the stream increases markedly during low flow conditions. 

TDS grab sample data collected by Environment Canada and the USGS in 1995 are shown in 
Figure 3.3. TDS ranged from 899 mg/L on 6- July to 1 194 mg/L on 9-May. 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 3.4. No exceedences of the objective have been observed during any three 
month period since 1975. The three-month FWCs remained confined within a narrow range 
centred around a mean of approximately 984 mg/L (regression generated data) and 1 039 mg/L 
(grab sample data). 



10 



Figure 3.3: TDS Concentrations for 1995 Grab Samples from 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



1400 



1200 



1000 



800 



600 



400 



200 



05/09 i 
02/14 A 


i ■ ! 


01/17, • ; 03/204/11 ' i 


1 ! 11/08 , "j^'" 
08/2^ °^^ ^^f' 


; 06/2J7/06 


i 1 
: 1 


^ i ^ ' \ i ^ i 


i i : 1 1 


i 1 i \ 

i 1 ! ' 






; 


; i 
I 



01 -Jan 02-Mar 01 -May 30-Jun 29-Aug 28-Oct 27-Dec 

31-Jan 01-Apr 31-May 30-Jul 28-Sep 27-Nov 

1995 



Figure 3.4: Three Month Moving Flov\/-Weighted TDS Concentrations for East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary 



1500 



1000 



, Short-term Objective (1500 mg/L) 



S 500 - 




Time 



— from sample analysis x ^°'^ regression 



11 

Five-year FWC's for TDS at 989 mg/L (Figure 3.5) for 1995 continued to approach, but 
remained below the long-term objective of 1000 mg/L. The maximiim monthly value calculated 
in 1995 was 981 mg/L. This gradual increase in five-year FWC for TDS is due to low surface 
runoff in the late eighties/early nineties, particularly reflected in the spring flows, which has not 
allowed for sufflcient flushing of Cookson Reservoir. 

A linear regression analysis was applied to the daily TDS values, as generated from the daily 
specific conductance readings from 1982 to 1995 (Figure 3.6). The regression line shows a 
gradual increase in TDS over this period. The positive trend is probably due to drought conditions 
in southern Saskatchewan during the latter part of the 1980' s, and the early 1990' s. Hence, a 
larger overall contribution of ground- water to the flow in the East Poplar River. The upward trend 
could also be attributed in part to higher rates of evaporation from Cookson Reservoir during the 
hot, dry period of the late 1980's, and to the fact that the Reservoir has received very little 
flushing over the period of record, due to the need to conserve cooling water. It should be 
understood though, that this regression line has a low R-squared value, which means that it is only 
a very general indicator of long-term trends, and should not be thought of as a predictive tool. 

The relationship between TDS and conductivity generated from data collected from 1975 to 1995 
is as follows: 

TDS = (0.639 X specific conductance) + 11.286 
(R} = 0.87, n = 517) 



12 



I Figure 3.5: Five- Year Moving Flow-Weighted TDS Concentrations for East Poplar 
! River at the International Boundary 



1200 



1000 - 



«d 800 

o> 

E, 

c 

% 600 



o 400 
O 



200 - 



1 1 1 1 i i i 1 1 i i Ml 


:::;:: : : : : : : ; : 


i : : i 1 : : : i 


^p=^^ 


j. — j. |.. Long-Term Objective (1 000 mgIL) \ 


i i 1 i i i i i i i 


i ■ i ■ • • ^ • • ♦ i i"' 




1 1 1 1 Ni 1 1 1 1 l] 


1 


MM 1 _L M 1 1 1 


j 1 

89 i 90 91 j 92 93 j 94 i 95 

! ! i 1 > i 


76 1 77 i 78 i 79 i 80 81 j 82 j 83 j 84 j 85 j 86 87 j 88 

i : . ■ ! i ! : i ! ! 



• Figure 3.6: Daily TDS Concentration, 1982 to 1995, East Poplar River 
j at the Intennational Boundary 



1600 




Dec-81 



Dec-83 Dec-85 



Deo-87 



Dec-89 Dec-91 Dec-93 Dec-95 



Slope = 10.03 mg/L/year 
R-Squared = 0.11 



— Linear regresssion line 



13 
3.2.5.2 Boron 

During 1995, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 
varied from 0.94 (9-May) to 2.2 mg/L (14-February, and 14-December) (Figure 3.7). 

Three-month boron FWC's for the period of record are shown in Figure 3.8. The short-term 
objective of 3.5 mg/L was not exceeded for the period 1975-1995. It can be seen that the data 
derived from grab samples and that derived from regression with specific conductance are 
similar, with the highs and lows in some degree of correspondence. This indicates that the 
regression generation of boron (and TDS) values is in general terms, a valid procedure. 

The five-year boron FWC's displayed in Figure 3.9 remained well below the long-term 
objective of 2.5 mg/L. From mid 1993 to the end of the data period there is a distinct drop in 
tlie computed values. 

The relationship between boron and conductivity at the East Poplar River sampling location 
during the period 1975 to 1995 is described by the equation: 

boron = (0.0013 x specific conductance) - 0.092 
(R^ = 0.61, n = 517) 



As shown in Figure 3.10, the straight line generated by the regression analysis of boron 
(dependent variable) over time (independent variable) shows a positive slope of 0.025 
mg/L/year. Again, as was the case with TDS, this is only a general indicator of a long-term 
behaviour. It should not be considered a predictive tool, without a more detailed analysis of 
weather, ground-water conditions, and conditions imposed by the power station. 



14 



Figure 3.7: Boron Concentrations for 1995 Grab Samples from 
East Poplar River at the International Boundary 



2.5 



B 
o 1.5 



o 

1 U 



S 



1 — 



0.5 



i 02/14 

• 

104/11 


1 i 1 i i 1 12/14 
i11/08 ; • 
06/2^ i • i 1 


1 01/17 i 

• 

' ♦ ' 03«? ' 

• 1 

i 1 

05/09 


< 
♦....<> 


• 



I I i : 

i 1 i i < 

1 i I i 


i • I 


i 


j i 



01 -Jan 02-Mar 01 -May 30-Jun 29-Aug 28-Oct 27-Dec 

31-Jan 01-Apr 31-May 30-Jul 28-Sep 27-Nov 

1995 



Figure 3.8: Three Month Moving Flow-Weighted Boron Concentrations for East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary 




AJ 
76 



77 i 78 I 79 i 80 I 81 j 82 j 83 j 84 j 85 j 86 ; 87 j 88 ; 89 I 90 j 91 j 92 j 93 i 94 

i 1 I i i i I i i _! ! J i i ! ! I 



Time 



— from regression — from sample analysis 



15 



Figure 3.9: Five- Year Moving Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary 



2 - 



! « 



e 

a 1 







i 






















Long-Term Objective (2.5 mg/L) 






! 






! 


c: 


































1 ijrr 








1 




r 


1 






1 1^ M 1 

„ ^ Lf. ^ i ....I i 






i 






1 






If ill 














i : : i i 


76 


77 


78 i 79 


80 


81 


82 


83 

1 


84 


85 j 86 i 87 88 89 j 90 j 91 | 92 


93 


94 


95 



Figure 3.10: Daily Boron Concentration, 1982 to 1995, East Poplar River 
at the International Boundary 



S 2 - 



o ■ 



eo 




Dec-81 Deo83 Dec-85 Dec-87 Dec-89 Dec-91 Dec-93 Dec-95 



Slope = 0.0251 mg/lJyear 
R-Squared = 0.11 



Linear regression line 



16 
3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 

Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water-Quality Board 
to the IJC. The table shows the number of samples collected for each parameter and the 
number of exceedences over the course of the year. In the table, multiple replicate samples 
collected during the annual quality control exercise are treated as a single sample, but any 
exceedences noted in the suite of replicate sample is charged against the single sample noted. 
There were no exceedences for any parameter measured. The January 17 Canadian sample 
revealed a dissolved oxygen concentration of 4 mg/L, which is equal to the objective value. 
Dissolved oxygen levels can be expected to be lower during ice-covered conditions, and low- 
flow summer conditions where oxygen has been reduced by biological activity. 

Table 3.1 lists the updated multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at 
the International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water-Quality 
Board to the UC. Revisions to the objectives were made in 1992 as outlined in the 1992 
annual report. Objectives for un-ionized ammonia, mercury in fish, and pH require further 
definition. No excursions occurred in 1995. 



17 



Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1995 Sampling Program, East Poplar 

River at the International Boundary (units in mg/L except as otherwise noted) || 


Parameter 


Objective 


No. of Samples 


Excursions 


USA 


Canada 


Objectives recomnnended by UC to Governments 


Boron-total 


3.5/2.5(1) 


6 


9 


Nil 


Total Dissolved Solids 


1500/1000(1) 


6 


9 


Nil 


Objectives recommended by International Poplar River Water-Quality Board to IJC (Revised in 1 992) 


Ammonia un-ionized (as N) 


Base objective on 
temperature and pH (to be 
defined) 


6 


9 


No 

Objective 


Cadmium-total 


0.0012 


1 


9 


Nil 


Copper-total 


1.0 


1 


9 


Nil 


Fluoride-dissolved 


1.5 


6 


9 


Nil 


Lead-total 


0.03 


1 


9 


Nil 


Mercury-total 


0.0002 


— 


9 


Nil 


Mercury-v\/hole fish (mg Hg/Kg) 


0.5 


.. 


.. 




Nitrate (as N) 


10.0 


6 


9 


Nil 


Oxygen-dissolved 


4.0/5.0(2) 


6 


7 


Nil 


Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 


10.0 


6 


9 


Nil 


Sulphate-dissolved 


800.0 


6 


9 


Nil 


Zinc-total 


0.03 


1 


9 


Nil 


Water Temperature (Celsius) 


30.0(3) 


6 


7 


Nil 


pH (pH Units) 


6.5(4) 


6 


7 


Nil 


1. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3.5 boron and 

< 1,500 TDS. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) 
should be < 2.5 boron and < 1 ,000 TDS. 

2. Objective applies only during open water. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 1 5), 4.0 
(minimum remainder of year). 

3. Natural temperature (April 10 to May 1 5), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of year). 

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



18 
3.3 Ground-water 

3.3.1 Operations 

In 1995, SaskPower continued to operate their supplementary ground-water supply to Cookson 
Reservoir. The 1995 total of 5 376 dam? of ground-water produced from the supplementary 
supply was slightly less than the 1994 production of 5 485 danf . SaskPower has an approval to 
produce an aimual volimie of 5 500 dam?. 

SaskPower's well network currently consists of 21 wells, with a total of 10 discharge points. No 
wells were added or deleted from the well field during the year. Production was reasonably 
consistent throughout most of the year with the exception of July and August when there was a 
reduction in pumping. In July and August, with the exception of well UA, wells which do not 
supply water to domestic users were turned off. Therefore, from mid-July to late August, only 
5-6 wells were pumped, as opposed to the remainder of the year when up to 19 wells were 
pumped. Reduced summer pumping assists in maximizing flows into Cookson Reservoir by 
minimizing evaporative losses in Girard Creek and ensures that the SaskPower's allocation is not 
exceeded. 

Operation of SaskPower's salinity project continued in 1995 with production from 7 wells, with 
a total volume of 1 017 dan^ pumped during the year. This represents a slight reduction from the 
1994 pumped volume of 1 095 dam?. (An eighth well is located along the International Boundary, 
but has never been operated). As in previous years, the majority of the water was pumped from 
wells PW87103 and PW87104 on the east side of the river and PW90108 on the west side of the 
river. 



19 
3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 

There does not appear to be any major changes in the cone of depression in the Hart Coal seam 
as a result of the supplementary supply project. The 1 m drawdown contour is at or near the 
International Boundary, much as it has been for the past several years (Figure 3.11). As a result 
of the map for 1996 being generated by a computer contouring package, there are some differences 
in the manner in which the contours are drawn, but these differences are minor. The reasonably 
consistent drawdowns over the past several years (over which the volumes pumped have been 
fairly consistent) indicate the aquifer system has approached a semi-equilibrium state. 

The December 1995 drawdown map for the Empress sands (Figure 3.12) indicates that there was 
a significant increase in both the extent and magnitude of drawdowns from salinity project 
pumping. This increase occurred even with a slight reduction of pumping, which demonstrates 
the impacts of fluctuations in recharge on the project. Recharge in 1995 was lower than in 1993 
and 1994. The goal of the project is to lower water levels in the Empress sands below the 
reservoir by 2-3 metres. This had been established prior to the significant recharge which started 
in June 1993, and led to drawdowns below the targeted level of 2-3 metres. The drawdown map 
shows that a 2-3 metre drawdown cone has been re-established on the west side, while drawdowns 
are 1-1 V2 metres on the east side. Pumping will target maintenance of the present drawdowns on 
the west side and expansion of drawdowns on the east to 2-3 metres. 



o 



% 


-i— 


_i_ 


— » — 


— B — ^cr — " 


_ -s t I 


1 — 


nL ■ 


_i- 




-!- 

i.,I 


-1^ 


t 


?i? 


i 


-11- 


— I— 


— s — 


.,^^__._. 


— « t 

1 1 


1 — 


"^t> 


_,^ 


J ■ 


^■^^¥\ 


0^ 





1 ... 




-i- 


— 1 — 


— «— 


_, 




.J- 




^ 


*^ 


^w\~ 


-I- 


1 


y\-^ 




-„- 


— «— 


- 1- 


J— Z3 


eJT^ 


A-\- 


3^ 


-1:^ 


35 


jS-- 


^\- 


— a — 




~A^ 




-«- 


1 

— s — 


—Si 


4^^-- 


^- 1^-^/~ ' 


A 


it 


4 1 




n^ 


"*N 


— X — 
r*-l — 


\ 


1 




-«- 


t—t — 


r' 


Z^-Zl.i 




/F • 


U'- 






— 1,— 


^"7 


— s — 
— kr: 


-.- 


'^1 


^ 




^ 


— a — 


-\ — nr 
' 7 


\~_ ^ Y / 


,'/ 


^ 


5^ 


1 




Y 


1^ 

— « — 


^ 


^' 


i 




— t — 


— E 


/ 


'~'l/ */ 


Y 

— — 


T 


:.]/ 


^ 




— I — 


-i 


f ' 


-i— 




— *— 


— t— 


— • 




r'-f" 


I—I su 


~J*^ 


V 


y^ 


—11^- 


— .t^ 


— I — 









-»— 


— « — 


— • 


tI — — < 

— s 


y-L. 


-f 


'f 




'"^ 


-«- 




— a^ 


-J 


•• I 




-11- 


— s — 


— S — 


—J — » — 




i-A 


"tf 


/ 1 


— » — 


— «— 


— 11 — 


-:,- 


-=- 







-B- 


— » — 


— s — 


-V-=-^ 




rt 


— U- 





r-' — 


— s— 


— 11 — 


-»-< 


-.- 





^ 


-i — 


-I)— 


— « — 


\ 




i 

1 1 








— a — 


— 11 — 


— a — 


< 








i 


-11 — 


— « — 


— s — 


H-VV 

\l / 


^£i" 


h- 








— « — 


— 11 — 


-11- 


h 


Xrww 


o-« — 




— 11 — 


— t — 


— II — 




. _ 


n~ 


— 


-._ 


— II — 


— « — 


i^- 


— « — 





— 




-.- 


— » — 


— s — 


+ ^> 


cxd^"^ 


r 

: B — 


— » — 


— 


— « — 


-r 


— i — 


B 


— « — 


— -" 




. ^^ 


I — 1 




-11- 


— s — 


— » — 


4- i- 


T- i T 


1 » — 





/4^ 


-h 


—*— 


— 11 — 


I 




^F 




-11- 


— « — 


— 8 — 


-A" 


.- * ' 


1 a — 


7-C 




— it — 


— L — 


— i — 


-a — 


-A 


[/_ 


L 




yc 


Si 


'"-xky- 


— " * 


1 » — 


A 


— 


— «— 


— « — 


-.- 


— t — 


1 

~'1 


ii,- 


i 


^. t;t^ 


M r 


H-^ 





— 


— II — 


— ;i- 


— • — 


-,:- 


-f 


— 




_^< 


^^ /f^ 


|^--P^ 


1 

s 1 — 

1 1 


i 


~r 


— n — 
1 


— x — 
1 


1 


1 — 

1 


J 


~r 




T^ 


r 


tb 




E 


















» 



22 



3.3.2.1.1 Frenchmaii Groundwater Project 



Given the low water levels in Cookson Reservoir throughout the early to mid-1990s, 
SaskPower undertook an evaluation of the Frenchman (Hell Creek) formation as an additional 
supplementary supply and subsequently submitted an application for 360 dam'/year from the 
aquifer . There was some written opposition to the project from local residents and concerns 
were also submitted by the State of Montana and the United States Geological Survey due to 
potential drawdowns occurring across the International Boundary. The application is still 
under consideration. 



3.3.2.2 



Montana 



After an increase in water levels in 1994 due to an excellent recharge year, water levels in 
Wells 5, 8, 16, 19, 22, and 23 declined in 1995 reflecting a return to normal seasonal 
fluctuations. Monitoring Wells 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 17 fluctuated in response to seasonal 
changes (Figure 3.13). 



2460 
_ 2458 

1 2456 

^^ 

S 

2 2454 

> 
U 

i; 2452 

it 

■g 2450 



O 



2448 



2446 











■ 


V„i 


A 
































•/ 


V 


\ 


^ 


'V 


*v. 


\. 


1 


^•^ 


^ J 


















\ 








V 


I 




V 






K 






■»^ 


j^' 


■V 


w. 


^ 


% 


■ "1 


% 


^' 




J 


-v 


x^ 




\ 


^ 


f 


/ 




S 


^ 








; 


V 


•-> 


/ 




^ 


A 


r 


4V 


^ 


■^ 




J- 


s 


i 


/^ 


^ 


























■v 


C/ 







6 

7 

17 

19 



JarvSO Jan-82 Jan-84 Jan-86 Jan-88 Jan-90 Jan-92 Jajv94 Jarv96 

DATE 



Figure 3.13 Hydrograph of Selected Wells 



23 



3.3.3 



Ground-Water-Quality 



3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 

The Water-quality from the Supplementary Water Supply Project discharge points has been 
consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters 
during 1995 is provided in Table 3.2. Statistical averages of the results since 1990 are 
included in this table. Water-quality from the wells has a positive influence on the quality of 
water in the reservoir for most parameters. 

Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped 
Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells 





1990-1995 
Average 


1995 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.6 


7.4 


Conductivity (uS/cm) 


1387 


1400 


Total dissolved solids 


921 


937 


Total suspended solids 


3.3 


2.4 


Boron 


1.2 


1.3 


Sodium 


180 


180 


Sulphate 


248 


228 


Nitrate 


0.3 


0.1 


Cyanide 


<2 


<2 


Iron 


1.2 


1.0 


Manganese 


0.2 


0.2 


1 Units in mg/L except as noted 



24 



The Water-Quality of the common discharge point from the Salinity Control Project wells is 
generally better than the Water-Quality in Cookson Reservoir. Average results from the 
common discharge point for 1995, plus an average of the 1990-1995 results, are provided in 
Table 3.3. Results have been consistent since 1990. 

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from 

Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 





1990-1995 
Average 


1995 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.5 


7.3 


Conductivity (uS/cm) 


1415 


1362 


Total dissolved solids 


946 


928 


Boron 


1.6 


1.6 


Calcium 


104 


106 


Magnesium 


58 


59 


Sodium 


147 


153 


Potassium 


7.3 


7.5 


Arsenic (ug/L) 


11.1 


8.6 


Aluminum 


0.02 


0.03 


Barium 


0.03 


0.03 


Cadmium 


<0.001 


<0.001 


Iron 


4.1 


4.2 


Manganese 


0.14 


0.14 


Chloride 


5.5 


6.8 


Strontium 


1.7 


1.7 


Nitrate 


0.1 


<0.003 


Sulphate 


313 


313 


1 
Units in mg/L except as noted. | 



25 

Ground-water quality in the vicinity of the ash lagoons can potentially be affected by leachate 
movement through the ash lagoon liner systems. The piezometers listed in the Technical 
Monitoring Schedules are used to assess leachate movement and calculate seepage rates. 
Piezometric water level, boron and chloride are the chosen indicator parameters to asses leachate 
movement. 

The ground- water monitoring program was expanded in 1994 as a result of Ash Lagoon #3 South 
construction. In total 20 new pneumatic piezometers and 28 new standpipe piezometers were 
completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers began in 1995. Due to the 
limited amount of data collected to date from these piezometers, a meaningfiil review is not yet 
possible. 

Piezometers 867A, 868A and 871 A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the 
ash stack of Ash Lagoon #1 . The 1995 monitoring results continue to suggest confirmation of the 
trend first observed in 1993 that the boron concentration decreases with depth within the ash stack. 
The effect of ash thickness on leachate quality is, however, not completely understood. 

The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is therefore suspected to differ from 
the surface water of the lagoons. Meaningful information is only available from piezometers 
installed within Ash Lagoon #1 where ash has been deposited for many years. New piezometers 
886A, 887A, 890A and 893A have been completed above the liner system of new Ash Lagoon #3 
South and are now being monitored. Future monitoring of all piezometers completed above the 
lagoon liner systems will continue with the purpose of confirming the boron trend noted above and 
to improve the understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons. 

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a 
ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. Relative to the 1994 position, the size and extent 
of the ground- water mound has not significantly changed. The mound extends from the east side 
of Ash Lagoon 2, where levels have increased 7 metres, to the west side of the polishing pond, 
where levels have increased 4 metres. Oxidized till piezometers located closer to the reservoir 
have shown a decreasing trend in piezometric levels reacting to lower reservoir levels. 



26 

The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till, have occurred 
where piezometric levels have changed the most. This is an expected result as changing 
piezometric levels suggest ground-water movement. Increasing boron concentrations on the east 
and south side of Ash Lagoon 2, together with decreasing chloride concentrations suggests 
leachate influence. On the west-side of the polishing pond the boron concentrations have not 
significantly changed. 

Little change in boron or chloride concentrations has been observed for most of the oxidized till 
piezometers located by the reservoir. The most significant change in samples from any of these 
piezometers has been C719 where chloride concentrations have decreased 93 mg/1 overall since 
1983 to 18 mg/1. The change in quality is suspected to be the result of reservoir influence rather 
than ash lagoon influence. 

A ground- water mound has developed in the unoxidized till, similar to that in the oxidized till, 
extending from the east side of Ash Lagoon 2 to the west side of the Polishing Pond. The ground- 
water mound is known to be discontinuous as piezometers 764D and 871C are located within the 
mound area and are reacting to reservoir levels. A review of boron and chloride concentrations 
does not show any significant trends. 

The piezometric surface of the Empress gravels indicate a regional flow from northwest to 
southeast below Morrison Dam. Monitoring since 1983 generally shows that the piezometric 
surface in the lagoon area reacts to the reservoir level. Results for Empress gravel Water-Quality 
do not indicate any leachate influence with the majority of piezometers showing little change in 
boron or chloride concentrations from background values. 

Sand lens piezometers C712B, C766 and C767 are located between the polishing pond and the 
cooling water canal. C767 is located on the top of dyke G and C766 and C712B are located at the 
toe of dyke G. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a 
preferential pathway for leachate migration. 

A review of the boron concentrations for C766 shows an increasing trend up to October 1988 
when levels peaked at 12.6 mg/1. Boron concentration decreased to 6.99 mg/1 in April 1990, then 
began increasing again peaking at 35.2 mg/1 in June 1993 before falling to 26.7 mg/1 in October 
1993. The boron concentration began an increasing trend throughout 1994 and peaked at 43 mg/1 



27 

in May, 1995, the highest recorded concentration to date, before decreasing to near 35 mg/1 in 
October, 1995. The chloride concentration for C766 has shown little movement since 1987 and 
remains within the 20 to 30 mg/1 range, similar to the ash lagoon surface water concentration. 

Up to April 1988 the boron concentration for C767 was increasing and peaked at 49.4 mg/1. From 
this peak the boron concentration has steadily decreased to the end of 1991 where the 
concentration levelled off near 5 mg/I. The October 1995 result is 5.28 mg/1. The reduction in 
boron concentrations for samples from C767 suggest the movement of a slug of leachate and not 
a continuous plume. There has been an increasing trend in chloride for C767 ranging from 25 
mg/1 in 1989 to 75 mg/1 in 1991. Since 1991 the concentration has remained near 70 mg/1 with 
an October 1994 result of 73.4 mg/1. In 1995 the concentration showed a moderate increase, 
ranging between 94 and 99 mg/1. 

Boron concentrations for piezometer 712B were initially below 1.0 mg/1 until an increasing trend 
began in 1987 with the concentration peaking in April 1992 at 26.6 mg/1. The boron 
concentration then decreased and levelled off near 18 mg/1 with an October 1995 result of 20 mg/1. 
Chloride concentrations trended down for C712B to 50 mg/1 in 1988 from over 200 mg/1 in 1984. 
Since 1988 chloride levels have changed little with an October 1995 result of 50.8 mg/1. 

In 1994 it was reported that no vertical seepage or liner permeability could be calculated for Ash 
Lagoon #3 North due to the measured pore pressure exceeding what the lagoon water level could 
physically produce. As expected this situation has corrected. 

The total calculated seepage from the ash lagoons in 1995 was determined to be 1.61 litres per 
second. This value is not significantly different from the 1994 and 1993 calculated seepage rates 
of 1.67 and 1.62 litres per second, respectively. There was a negligible total calculated seepage 
rate for Ash Lagoon #3 South at 0.001 litres per second. This result was not unexpected as the 
lagoon has only been in service since May, 1995 and no gradients have developed. 

Liner permeabilities for all lagoons except Ash Lagoon 3 South remain in the order of lO^cm/sec. 
The liner permeability determined for Ash Lagoon 3 South, based on the above permeability, is 
not considered realistic and was not reported. 



28 



3.3.3.2 



Montana 



Samples were collected firom monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 1995. Well 7 is completed 
in Hart Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Fonnation, and well 24 is completed in 
alluvium. No significant changes in water quality was observed. Graphs of total dissolved solids 
for selected wells are shown in Figure 3. 14. 



1000 



800 



M 600 
400 



200 















































































X 


































^ 


\ 






> 




^_ 


■ 


..^ 


A. 


















^ 


^ 




"^ 












■*■ 




Si 


— t 


— 




-^ 








N 


^ 


— * 


"^ 


\, 


A 


\, 
































k^ 




V 
















































































— 








— 


- — 1 









7 

16 

24 



Jan-80 Jan-82 Jan-84 Jan-86 Jan-88 Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jarv96 
DATE 

Figure 3.14 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples frmn Montana Wells. 



1^ Cookson ReseiToir 



3.4.1 Storage 



On January 1, 1995, Cookson Reservoir storage was 29 440 dam', or 63% of the full supply 
volume. The 1995 maximum, minimum and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 
3.4. In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by groundwater pumping. Wells in 
the abandoned west block mine site supplied 5 376 dam' to Girard Creek. Approximately 70% 
of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 
1 017 dam' directly to the reservoir. 



29 



Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1995 



Date 


Eievation 
(m) 


Contents 
(dam') 


January 1 


751.00 


29 440 


Aprils 


751.07 


29 860 


December 2 


750.66 


27 400 1 


December 31 


750.68 


27 510 


Full Supply Level 


753.00 


43 400 



The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling. 
Power plan operation is not adversely affected until reservoir levels drop below 749.0 metres. 
The dead storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 metres. The 1995 
recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3. 15. As the result of a below 
normal spring runoff in the basin and some minor rainfall runoff during the summer, water levels 
remained relatively steady throughout the year. 



1995 Cookson Reservoir 
Daily Mean Water Levels 



Mm 




CmMcOkm 


7m 


1 


753 


FulS««plyLMl 




751 . 


^ — ^ 




741) 


i«K RMonM MWmum DMirad OpmUnQ Lmal 


747 




74f> 


Mnlnun Uubto Skng* LMd 




743 






741 . 







Jan F«b Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug S«p Oct Nov 0«c 



Figure 3.15 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1995 and Median Monthly 
Water Levels for 1981-1991. 



30 

3.4.2 Water-Quality 

The 1995 spring runoff had little positive impact on Cookson Reservoir water-quality. At the end 
of 1995, boron concentrations in the reservoir were about 2.4 mg/L compared to about 2.4 mg/L 
at the end of 1994. Similarly, TDS increased from 1 250 mg/L at the end of 1994 to about 1 400 
mg/L at the end of 1995. Water-quality conditions at the end of 1995 were similar to year-end 
conditions in 1993 and early 1992. 

3.5 Air-Quality 

SaskPower's ambient SOj monitoring for 1995 recorded no violations of SERM's hourly and 24- 
hour average standards at 0.17 and 0.06 ppm, respectively. The highest hourly value was 
recorded at 0.0413 ppm in June, 1995. 

Total suspended particulate concentrations for 1995 obtained from SaskPower's monitor did not 
exceed SERM's 24-hour standard of 120ug/m^ The highest recorded concentration was 60.6 
ug/m' in June, 1994. The geometric mean for the high-volume suspended particulate sampler was 
15.7 ug/m^ 

3.6 Quality Control 
3.6.1 Streamflow 

To test the comparability of Streamflow measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey 
(USGS) and Environment Canada (EC), similar measurements were made on the East Poplar River 
at the International Boundary on August 23, 1995 by personnel from both agencies. The discharge 
data shown in Table 3.5 are similar although not identical indicating the difficulty of obtaining 
the same measurements of small discharge using conventional current-metre methods. The 
computations were made using the theoretical discharge of the 9CP V-notch weir of 0.067 ra?/s. 



31 



Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for August 23, 1995 



Agency 


Time 
CST 


Width 
(m) 


Mean Area 


Velocity 
(m/s) 


Gauge 

Height 

(m) 


Discharge 

(mVs) 


EC 


1430 


1.4 


0.131 


0.469 


1.567 


0.061 


USGS 


1450 


1.4 


0.147 


0.448 


1.567 


0.066 



3.6.2 Water-Quality 

Quality control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary on 
August 23, 1995. Participating agencies included the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 
Environment Canada, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management and SaskPower Corp. 



Sets of triplicate samples were split from USGS sampling chums and submitted to the respective 
laboratories for analyses. Field procedures were identical to those used since 1986. 



ANNEX 1 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



CANADA-UNITED STATES 



Al-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 quality monitoring 
programs being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary 
in response to SaskPower development. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination 
of the data in each country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical 
interpretation. 

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

n. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS 

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are: 

Government of Canada: Environment Canada 
Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: 

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
Government of the United States of America: United States Geological Survey 
Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office 

m. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE 

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



A1-2 



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. Co- 
chairpersons may by mutual agreement invite agency technical experts to participate in the work 
of the Committee. 

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



B. Functions of the Committee 

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



1. Information Exchangg 

Each Co-chairperson will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart Co-chairperson on a 
regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data provided by the cooperative monitoring 
agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules. 



2. E£I2Q£tS 



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

(b) Annual Reports will 

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

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



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

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

d) Preparation of Reports 

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



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 covmtries 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. PROVTSTON 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. 



Al-5 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 

1996 

CANADA-UNITED STATES 



A2-1 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PREAMBLE X2 - 3 

CANADA 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 5 

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 " 1 

GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR 

POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 10 

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS LEVEL MONITORING 

- POWER STATION AREA A2 - 12 

GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING 

- ASH LAGOON AREA A2 - 14 

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 23 



UNITED STATES 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26 

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28 

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30 

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32 



A2-2 



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 defmitive 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 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, ground-water and air 
quality data collected at points in the Poplar River basin not of direct concern to the Committee. 
In addition, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish and waterfowl 
populations and aquatic vegetation is also being collected on either a routine or specific studies 
basis by various agencies. 



A2-3 



POPLAR RIVER 
COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 

1996 

CANADA 



A2-4 



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. 


Station Name 


n 


11AE003 
(06178500) 


East Poplar River at International 
Boundary 


2 


***11AE013 


Cookson Reservoir near 
Coronach 


3 


***11AE015 


Girard Creek near Coronach 
Cookson Reservoir 


4 


11AE014 


East Poplar River above 
Cookson Reservoir 


5 


**Fife Lake Overflow 




.. 


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. 
*** - Sask Water took over the monitoring responsibility effective July 1/92. 



A2-5 




10 Mil«t 

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) 



A2-6 



SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY 



Sampling Locations 



1 Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management J 


No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name 


1 


7904 


Fife Lake Overflow 


2 


12412 
Discontinued 


Girard Creek at Coronach Reservoir Outflow 


3 


12377 
Discontinued 


Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 


4 


12368 


Cookson Reservoir near Dam 


5 


12386 
Discontinued 


East Poplar River at Culvert Immediately 
Below Cookson Reservoir 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 


No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name ] 


6 


00SA1 1AE0008 


East Poplar River at International Boundary J 



A2-7 



PARAMETERS 





Responsible 


Agency: Environment Canada 




NAQUADAr 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Sampling Frequency 


Code 






Station No 6 


10151 


Alkalinity-pherK}lphthalein 


Potentiometric Titration 


BM 


10111 


Alkalinity-total 


Potenbometric Titration 


BM 


13102 


Aluminurrwjissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


13302 


Alutninutn-extracted 


AA-Direct 


BM 


07570 


Ammonia-free 


Calculated 


BM 


07540 


AmrrK5nia-total 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 

BM 


33108 


Arsenic-dissolved 


ICAP-hydride 


56001 


Barium-total 


AA-Direct 


BM 


06201 


Bicartonates 


Calculated 


BM 


05211 


Boron-dissolved 


ICAP 


BM 


96360 


Bronnoxynil 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


48002 


Cadmiunvtotal 


AA Soh«nt Extraction 


BM 


20103 


Calcium 


AA-Direct 


BM 


06104 


Cartxsn-dissolved organic 


Automated IR Detection 


BM 


06901 


Cartxjn- particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


BM 


06002 


Cartx)n-total organic 


Calculated 


BM 


06301 


Cartx)nates 


Calculated 


BM 


17206 


Chloride 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 


06717 


Chlorophyll a 


Spectropliotometric 


BM 


24003 


Chromium-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


27002 


Cobalt-total 


AA-Sotvent Extraction 


BM 


36012 


Colifornvfecal 


Membrane Filtration 


BM 


36002 


Colifonrvtotal 


Membrane Filtration 


BM 


02021 


Colour 


Comparator 


BM 


02041 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


BM 


29005 


Copper-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


06610 


Cyanide 


Automated UV-Colourimetric 


BM 


09117 


Fluoride-dissolved 


Electrometric 


BM 


06401 


Free Cartxjn Dioxide 


Calculated 


BM 


10602 


Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


17811 


Hexachlorobenzene 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


08501 


Hydroxide 


Calculated 


BM 


26104 


Iron-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


82002 


Lead-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


12102 


Magnesium 


AA-Dired 


BM 


25104 


Manganese-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


80011 


Mercury-total 


FlamelessAA 


BM 


07901 


N-particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


BM 


07651 


N-total dissolved 


Automated UV Colourimetric 


BM 


10401 


NFR 


Gravimetric 


BM 


28002 


Nickel-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


07110 


Nitrate/Nitrite 


Colourimetric 


BM 


07603 


Nitrogen-total 


Calculated 


BM 


10650 


Non-Cartx>nate Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


18XXX 


Organo Chlorines 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


08101 


Oxygen-dissolved 


Winkler 


BM 


15901 


P-particulate 


Calculated 


BM 


15465 


P-total dissolved 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 


185XX 


Phenoxy Herbicides 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


15423 


Phosphorus-total 


Colourimetnc (TRAACS) 


BM 


19103 


Potassium 


Flame Emission 


BM 


11250 


Percent Sodium 


Calculated 


BM 


00210 


Saturation Index 


Cateulated 


BM 


34108 


Selenium-dissolved 


ICAP-hydride 


BM 


14108 


Silica 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 


11103 


Sodium 


Flame Emission 


BM 


00211 


Stability Index 


Calculated 


BM 


16306 


Sulphate 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 


00201 


TDS 


Calculated 


BM 


02061 


Temperature 


Digital Thermometer 


BM 


02073 


Turbidity 


Nephetometry 


BM 


23002 


Vanadiunvtotal 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


30005 


Zinc-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


10301 


PH 


Electrometric 


BM 


92111 


Uranium 


Fluometric 


MC 



* - Computer Storage and Retrieval System - Environment Canada 
AA - Atomic Absorption IR - Infrared 

NFR - Nonfilterable Residue MC - Monthly Composite 

•CAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. 



UV - Ultraviolet 

BM - Bimonthly (Alternate months sampled by U.S.G.S.) 



A2-8 




A2-9 



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



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 




Measurement 


Frequency: Quarterly 




Piezometer 




Tip of Screen 


Perforation Zone 


Number 


Location 


Elevation (m) 


(depth in metres) | 


52 


NW 14-1-27 W3 


738.43 


43 - 49 (in coal) 


506A 


SW 4-1-27 W3 


748.27 


81 - 82 (in coal) 


507 


SW 6-1-26 W3 


725.27 


34 - 35 (in coal) 


509 


NW 11-1-27 W3 


725.82 


76 - 77 (in coal) 


510 


NW 1-1-28 W3 


769.34 


28 - 29 (in layered 
coal and clay) 



A2-10 




V. 



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



A2-11 



GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - POPLAR RIVER 
POWER STATION AREA 



SPC Piezometer 
Number 


Completion 
Formation 


525 


Empress 


526 


Empress 


527 


Empress 


528 


Oxidized 


539 


Empress 


540 


Empress 


737 


Empress 


739 


Empress 


740 


Empress 


741 


Empress 


743 


Empress 


746 


Mottled Till 


747 


Mottled Till 


748 


Mottled Till 


756 


Empress 



water levels measured quarterly 



SPC Piezometer 
Number 


Completion 
Formation 


739 


Empress 



samples collected annually 



A2-12 



g 



LJ 2 






c 



.0^^ 



.^^ 



.0^ 



^^ 



0^^ 



<l^^ 








in 

vJin 
o 







^ 






m 




■<*• 


^r 




r^ 


r^ 




o 


u 


(/) 


^ 




Q_ 






Q^ 






Q- . 


IV 





^ 



i <-^ 


so 




^ ^ 


in 




ON 


^ 




r^ 




w 


o 




i. 


<3 




+» 

C 



< 



< 



i^ 



A2-13 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


529 


Empress 


532 


Empress • 


533 


Empress 


534 


Oxidized Till 


535 


Empress 


536 


Empress 


537 


Empress 


538 


Empress 


542 


Empress 


653A 


UnoxidlzedTill 


654 


UnoxidlzedTill 


655A 


Unoxidized Till 


655B 


Unoxidized Till 


711 


Oxidized Till 


712A 


Unoxidized Till 


712B 


Intra Till Sand 


712C 


Mottled Till 


712D 


Oxidized till 


713 


Oxidized Till 


71 4A 


UnoxWlzedTill 


71 4B 


Mottled Till 


71 4C 


Oxidized Till 


?14b 


Oxidized Till 


714E 


Empress 


715 


Oxidized Till 


716 


Oxidized Till 


717 


Oxidized Tilt 


718 


Mottled Till 


719 


Oxidized Till 


720 


Oxidized Till 


7il 


Oxidized Till 


7S2 


Oxidized Till 


723 


Oxidized Till 


724 


Mottled Till 


725 


Oxidized Till 


72eA 


Oxidized Till 


7^66 


Mottled Till 



A2-14 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


726C 


Oxidized Till 


726E 


Empress 


?i7A 


Unoxidized Till 


727B 


Mottled Till 


7i7C 


Oxidized Tiii 


7S6A 


Oxidized Till 


728B 


Unoxidized Till 


728C 


Mottled Till 


728D 


(Oxidized Till 


7i6E 


Empress 


73 1 


Empress 


7i5 


Empress 


733 


Empress 


734 


Empress 


745 


Empress 


745 


Oxidized Till 


74d 


Mottled Till 


750 


Unoxidized Till 


751 


Unoxidized Till 


752 


Unoxidized Till 


753 


Oxidized Tril 


757 


Unoxidized Till 


758 


Intra Till Sarxj 


763A 


Mottled Till 


763B 


Oxidized Till 


7630 


Mottled Till 


763D 


Unoxidized Till 


763e 


Empress 


7648 


Mottled Till 


764C 


Oxidized Till 


7640 


Unoxidized Till 


764e 


Empress 


765A 


Empress 


7658 


Unoxidized Till 


765C 


Oxidized Till 


765D 


Oxidized Till 


765^ 


Mottled Till 


766A 


Empress 



A2-15 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


766 


Intra Till Sand 


>6M 


Empress 


76?& 


Unoxidized Till 


767 


Intra Till Sand 


768A 


Empress 


7W6 


Unoxidized Till 


768C 


Oxidized Till 


775A 


Oxidized Till 


775C 


Unoxidized Till 


776A 


Oxidized Till 


776B 


Oxidized Till 


6676 


Oxidized Till 


867C 


Unoxidized Till 


6666 


Oxidized Till 


668C 


Unoxidized Till 


869B 


Oxidized Till 


869C 


Unoxidized Till 


6706 


Empress 


871 6 


Oxidized Till 


671C 


Unoxidized Till 


6726 


Oxidized Till 


672C 


Unoxidized Till 


873E 


Empress 


885B 


Oxidized Till 


665C 


Oxidized Till 


885D 


Unoxidized Till 


6656 


Empress 


886A 


Ash Stack 


6666 


Oxidized Till 


886C 


Oxidized Till 


666t) 


Unoxidized Till 


886E 


Empress 


887B 


Oxidized Till 


667C 


Oxidized Till 


887D 


Unoxkjized Till 


887E 


Empress 


8888 


Oxidized Till 


888C 


Oxidized Till 



A2-16 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 



Completion Formation 



888D 



Unoxidized Till 



Empress 
Oxidized Till 



B6^ 



155C" 
■555^ 



Oxidized Tril " 
Unoxidized Till 



889r 






Empress 
Oxidized Till 



Oxidized Till 



"55(317 



Unoxidized Till 
Empress 



i5or 

"S5TB" 



Oxidized Till 
Oxidized Till 



^5TCr 



Unoxidized Till 



89TD^ 
■55Tr 



"892r 
■8§2C" 



Empress 



Oxidized Till 
Oxidized Till 



Unoxidized Till 



M5D^ 



Empress 
Oxidized Till 



852E 



M3B 



Oxidized Till 



893C 



Unoxidized Till 
Empress 



893D 



"893r 



Oxidized Till 
Oxidized Till 



894B 
"8945" 



Unoxidized Till 
Empress 



894D 



894E 



1555" 



Oxidized Till 



895(r 



Oxidized Till 
Unoxidized Till 



855D 
■gSST 



Empress 



Water levels measured quarterly 



A2-17 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY 



SPC Piezometer Numt>er 


Completion Formation 


529 


Empress 


S32 


Empress 


533 


Empress 


534 


Oxidized Till 


538 


Empress 


653A 


UnoxidlzedTill 


655A 


Unoxidized Till 


7i2A 


Unoxidized Till 


7126 


Intra Till Sand 


71 2C 


Mottled Till 


7iif) 


Oxidized till 


713 


Oxidized Till 


71 4A 


Unoxidized Till 


714C 


Oxidized Till 


714D 


Oxidized Till 


71 4E 


Empress 


715 


Oxidized Till 


716 


Oxidized Till 


718 


Mottled Till 


71d 


Oxidized Till 


726A 


Oxidized Till 


7S6C 


Oxidized Till 


726E 


Empress 


7S6A 


Oxidized Till 


7286 


Unoxidized Till 


726C 


Mottled Till 


728D 


Oxidized Till 


731 


Empress 


732 


Empress 


733 


Empress 


734 


Empress 


742 


Empress 


745 


Oxidized Till 


749 


Mottled Till 


766 


Unoxidized Till 


751 


Unoxidized Till 


752 


Unoxidized Till 


7S3 


Oxidized Till 



A2-18 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


757 


Unoxidized Till 


756 


Intra Till Sand 


763A 


Mottled Till 


7636 


Oxidized Till 


763D 


Unoxidized Till 


1 763E 


Empress 


766 


Intra Till Sand 


767 


Intra Till Sand 


775A 


Oxidized Till 


775C 


UnoxWlzedTill 


1 776A 


Oxidized Till 


776B 


Oxidized Till 


667A 


Ash Stack 


667b 


Oxidized Till 


667C 


Unoxidized Till 


66dA 


Ash Stack 


8686 


Oxidized Till 


868C 


Unoxidized Till 


869B 


Oxidized Till 


869C 


UnoxkJized Till 


1 d76£ 


Empress 


871A 


Ash Stack 


671 6 


Oxidized Till 


871C 


Unoxidized Till 


8728 


Oxidized Till 


872C 


UnoxkJized Till 


873E 


Empress 


885B 


Oxidized Till 


885C 


Oxidized Till 


885D 


Unoxidized Till 


885E 


Empress 


8d6A 


Ash Stack 


8d6B 


Oxidized Till 


686C 


Oxidized Till 


886D 


Unoxki'ized Till 


686£ 


Empress 


887A 


Ash Stack 


887B 


Oxidized Till 



A2-19 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


887C 


Oxidized Till 


88?D 


Unoxidized Till 


887E 


Empress 


888B 


Oxidized Till 


888C 


Oxidized Till 


68dC) 


Unoxidized Till 


888E 


Empress 


889B 


Oxidized Till 


889C 


Oxidized Till 


889D 


Unoxidized Till 


889E 


Empress 


890A 


Ash Stack 


890B 


Oxidized Till 


890C 


Oxidized Till 


890D 


Unoxidized Till 


890E 


Empress 


8918 


Oxidized Till 


891C 


Oxidized Till 


891 D 


Unoxidized Till 


891E 


Empress 


69^8 


Oxidized Till 


892C 


Oxidized Till 


892D 


Unoxidized Till 


892E 


Empress 


893A 


Ash Stack 


8938 


Oxidized Till 


89X 


Oxidized Till 


mb 


Unoxidized Till 


6d3E 


Empress 


8948 


Oxidized Till 


6d4C 


Oxidized Till 


6d4& 


UnoxkJized Till 


894E 


Empress 


8958 


Oxidized Till 


895C 


Oxidized Till 


t^5b 


Unoxidized Till 


895E 


Empress 



Samples collected annually 



A2-20 




A2-21 



PARAMETERS 



R«»pon»lbl« Agtncy: Saskatchewan Envlronmant and Rasourc* Managtmant || 








Sampling 


ESQUADAT* 






Raquancy Station 


Coda 


Paramatar 


Analytical mathod 


No.: Ptazomatara 


1 10101 


Alkalinity-tot 


Pot-Titration 


A 


13105 


Aluminum-Diss 


AA-Direct 


3" 


33104 


Arsenic-Diss 


Ranneiess AA 


A 


56104 


Barium-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 


A 


06201 


B>cart>onates 


Calculated 


A 


06106 


Boron-Diss 


Cdourinwtry 


3" 


48102 


Cadmium-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


1 20103 


Caldum-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


1 06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


A 


17203 


Chloride-Diss 


Cotourinwtry 


A 


24104 


Chromium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


27102 


Cobalt-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


02011 


Colour 


Comparator 


A 


02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity Meter 


A 


29105 


Copper-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


4" 


09103 


Fluoride-Diss 


Specific Ion Electrode 


A 


26104 


Iron-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


82103 


Lead-Diss 


AA-Sotvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


12102 


MagnesiunvDiss 


AA-Direct 


A 


25104 


Manganese-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


80111 


MercufV-Diss 
Molybdenum-Diss 


Flanr^eless AA 


A 


42102 


AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) 


A 


10301 


pH 


Electrometric 


3" 


19103 


Potassium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 


A 


34105 


Selenium-Diss 


Hydride generation 


A 


14102 


Silica-DIss 


Colourimetry 


A 


11103 


Sodium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 


A 


38101 


Strontium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


3" 


16306 


Sulphate- Diss 
TDS 


Colourimetry 


3" 


10451 


Gravimetric 


3" 


92111 


Uranium-Diss 


Fluorometry 


3" 


23104 


Vanadium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


97025 


Water Level 




4 


30105 


Znc-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 



No zioc or ina for PiezomeiEn CS31 to CS3S 
* Computer tkanrt and retiieval lystem 
— Swkuchevai Environment and Resource Maragemeai 
** Anaiyze amtally for ihe«e Piesomeien Not. 



SYMBOLS: AA - Aionac abMrpbon 
A- Annoally 
3-3 timeVyor 
AA- SolTcal Exnct (MIBK) - uit^e acidieed uid 
extracted wiih Mediyl Isobvtyl Ketone. 
4- 4iune*^K« 



A2-22 



AMBIENT Am-QUALITY MO^fITORING 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 


NO. ON 
MAP 


LOCATION 


PARAMEILRS 


REPORTING FREQUENCY 


1 


Coronach 
(Discontinued) 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 






Wind speed and 
direction 


Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 






Total Suspended 
Particulate 


24-hour samples on a 6-day 

CYCLE, corresponding TO THE 

National Am Pollution 
Surveillance Sampling 
Schedule. 


2 


International 
Boundary • 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 






Total Suspended 
Particulate 


24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, 
corresponding to the national 
am pollution surveillance 
Sampling Schedule. 




MEIHODS 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 
Colourimetric Titration, Pulsed Fluorescence 


Total Suspended Particulate 


Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 
High Volume Method 



• This station operated by SaskPower. 



A2-23 



^ 




10 Miles 



AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



A2-24 



POPLAR RIVER 
COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 

1996 

UNITED STATES 



A2-25 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 



Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey 


No. on Map 


Station Numt)er 


Station Name 


r 


06178000 (11 AE008) 


Poplar River at International 
Boundary 


2* 

======= 


06178500 (11 AE003) 


East Poplar River at 
International Boundary 



'International Gauging Station 



A2-26 




5 10 15 Km 

5 lO Miles 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



A2-27 





SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING -- Station Location 




Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey 


No. on Map 


USGS Station No. 


Station Name 


1 


06178000 


Poplar River at International Boundary 


2 


06178500 


East Poplar River at International Boundary 


3 


06179000 


East Poplar River near Scobey 


PARAMETERS 


WATSTORE* 


SAMPUNG FREQUENCY NO. 


Code 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


1 


2 


3 


90410 


Alkalinity • lab 


Elect Titration 


M 


BM 


BM 


01106 


Aluminum - diss 


AE, DC Plasma 


SA 


SA 


SA 


00610 


Ammonia - tot 


Colon metric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00625 


Ammonia +Org N-tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01000 


Arsenic - diss 


AA hydride 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01002 


Arsenic - tot 


/iA, hydride 


A 


A 


A 


01010 


Beryllium - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01012 


Beryllium - tot/rec 


AA - Persultate 


A 


A 


A 


01020 


Boron - diss 


/VE. DC Plasma 


M 


BM 


BM 


01025 


Cadmium - diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01027 


Cadmium - tot/rec 


AA. GF - Persutfate 


A 


A 


A 


00915 


Calcium 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00680 


Cartx>n - tot Org 


Wet Oxidation 


SA 


SA 


SA 


00940 


Chloride - diss 


Cotorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01030 


Chromium - diss 


AE. DC Plasma 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01034 


Chromium - tot/rec 


AE. DC Plasma Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00080 


Colour 


Electrometric. visual 


M 


BM 


BM 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


M 


D 


BM 


01040 


Copper - diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01042 


Copper - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persutfate 


A 


A 


A 


00061 


Discharge - Inst 


Direct measurement 


M 


BM 


BM 


00950 


Fluoride 


Electrometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01046 


Iron - diss 


AE, ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


01045 


Iron - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


01049 


Lead - diss 


/>A, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01051 


Lead - tot/rec 


AA. GF - Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00925 


Magnesium - diss 


AA 


M 


BM 


BM 


01056 


Manganese - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01055 


Manganese - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


01065 


Nickel - diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01067 


Nickel - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00615 


Nitrite - tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00630 


Nitrate + Nitrite - tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00300 


Oxygen-diss 


Winkler/meter 


M 


BM 


BM 


70507 


Phos. Ortho-tot 


Cotorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00400 


PH 


Electrometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00665 


Phosphorous • tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00935 


Potassium - diss 


AA 


M 


BM 


BM 


00931 


SAR 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


80154 


Sediment - cone. 


Filtration-Gravimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


80155 


Sediment - load 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


01145 


Selenium - diss 


AA, hydride 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01147 


Selenium tot 


AA, hydride 


A 


A 


A 


00955 


Silica 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00930 


Sodium 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00945 


Sulphate - diss 


Turt>imetry 


M 


BM 


BM 


70301 


Total Dissolved Solids 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


00010 


Temp Water 


Stem Thennometer 


M 


BM 


BM 


00020 


Temp Air 


Stem Thermometer 


M 


BM 


BM 


00076 


Turtjidity 


Nephelometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


80020 


Uranium - diss 


Spectrometry 




MC 


. 


1 01090 


Zinc - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


! 01092 


Zinc - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 



SYMBOLS: C - continuous; D - daily; M - monthly; BM - bimonthly; MC - monthly composite; 
* - Computer storage and A - annually at high flow; SA - semi-annually at low and high flow; GF - graphite furnace 

retrieval system - USGS AA - atomic absorption; tot - total; rec - recoverable; diss - dissoh^ed; 

AE - atomic absorption; DC • direct cun-ent; ICP - inductively coupled plasma; 



A2-28 




lO Miles 



SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



A2-29 



GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations 



— =JJ , 

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 


Map 


Well 


ToUl Depth (a) 


Casing 


Aquifer 


Perforation 


Number 


Location 


(m) 


^Diameter (cm) 




Zone (m) 


7 


37m7E12BBBB 


44.1 


10.2 


Hart Coal 


39-44 


16 


37m6E3ABAB 


2S.S 


10.2 


Fort Union 


23-25 


24 


37rM8E5AB 


96 


102 


Alluvium 


92-96 II 


Parameters 


Storet 

• • 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Sampling Frequency Station No. 


Code 








00440 


Bicarbonates 


Electrometric Titration 


Sample collection is annually for 


01020 


Boron-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


all locations identified above. 


00915 


Calcium 


Emission Plasma 




00445 


Carbonates 


Electrometric Titration 


The analytical method descriptions 


00940 


Chloride 


Ion Chromatography 


are those of the Montana Bureau of 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


Mines and Geology Laboratory where 


01040 


Copper-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


the samples are analysed. 


00950 


Fluoride 


Ion Chromatography 




01046 


Irondiss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01049 


Lead-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01130 


Lithlum-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00925 


Magnesium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01056 


Manganese-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01060 


Molybdenum 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00630 


Nitrate 


Ion Chromatography 




00400 


PH 


Electrometric 




00935 


Potassium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01145 


Selenlum-diss 


AA 




00955 


Silica 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00930 


Sodium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01080 


Strontium-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00445 


Sulphate 


Ion Chromatography 




00190 


Zinc-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




70301 


TDS 


Calculated 





SYMBOLS: AA - Atomic Absorption; 
■ Computer storage and retrieval system - EPA ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit 



A2-30 




5 10 -5 K' 



10 Miles 



GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



A2-31 



GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



1 Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 


1 No. on Map 


Sampling 


1 2 to 24 


Determine water levels quarterty 



A2-32 




5 10 15 Km 

10 Miles 

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



A2-33 



AN>fEX3 

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT 

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN 

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD. 

POPLAR RTVER TASK FORCE (1976) 



A3-1 



•RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT 
IN THE POPLAR RTVER BASIN 

The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the 
International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States subject to 
the following conditions: 

1 . The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all its tributaries crossing the 
International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States but 
the flow at the International Boundary in each tributary shall not be depleted by more than 
60 percent of its natural flow. 

2. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin 
crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the 
United States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows: 

(a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural 
flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary, as determined 
below the confluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork. 

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

(i) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined 
below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding 
March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters 
(3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres 
per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United 
States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary throughout the 
succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In addition, a volume 
of 370 cubic decameters (300 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United 
States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing 
June 1st. 

(ii) When the total namral flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined 
below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding 
March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 
acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet). 



Canada-United States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment. Poplar River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, 
International Souris-Red Rivers Board, Poplar River Task Force, 43 pp. 



A3 -2 



then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet 
per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. 
A minimum delivery of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) 
shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following 
year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be 
delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period 
commencing June 1st. 

(iii) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below 
the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to 
May 31st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet), but does 
not exceed 14,8(X) cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum 
flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered 
to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during 
the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 
cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from 
September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume 
of 617 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon 
demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st. 

(iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the 
confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 
31st period exceeds 14,8(X) cubic decameters (12,000 acres-feet) then a continuous 
minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall 
be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum 
delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be 
maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In 
addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic decameters (1,0(X) acre-feet) shall be delivered 
to the United States upon demand at any tune during the 12-month period 
commencing June 1st. 

(c) The natural flow at the International Boundary in each of the remaining individual 
fributaries shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its namral flow. 

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. 



A3-3 



ANNEX 4 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 



A4-1 



ac 
ac-ft 
C* 
cm 

cm* 
dam' 

te 

ha 

hm 

hm' 

l.gpm 

in 

kg 

km 

km* 

L 

L/s 

m 

m» 

mVs 

mm 

tonne 

U.S. gpm 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 
4,047 m' = 0.04047 ha 
1.233.5 m' = 1.2335 dam* 
5/9(F°-32) 
0.3937 in. 
0.155 in^ 

1,000 m' = 0.8107 ac-ft 
28.3171 X lO'm' 
10,000 m* = 2.471 ac 
100 m = 328.08 ft 
IxlO'm' 
0.0758 L/s 
2.54 cm 

2.20462 lb = 1.1 xlO-'tons 
0.62137 miles 
0.3861 mi^ 

0.3532 ft' = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal 
0.035 cfs = 13.193 l.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm 
3.2808 ftm* = 10.7636 ft^ 

1,000 L = 35.3144 ft' = 219.97 I. gal= 264.2 U.S. gal 
35.314 cfs 
0.00328 ft 

1 ,000 kg = 1 .1023 ton (short) 
0.0631 L/s 



For Air Samples 

ppm = 100 pphm = 1000 x (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m' 



A4-2