5

5^3.7

2011 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING

COMMIHEE

^fSSOVR/

RIVER

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2011

June 2012
Montana State Library

lllillllii

3 0864 1006 4281 1
Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee

Department of State Department of Foreign Affairs

Washington, D.C., United States and International Trade Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Governor's Office

State of Montana Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

Helena, Montana, United States Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Herein is the 30th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses

the Committee activities of 20 11 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2012.

During 2011, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill the responsibilities

assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September

23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July 1992,

July 1997, March 2002, April 2007, and March 2012. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2017.

The enclosed report summarizes current water-quality conditions and compares them to guidelines for

specific parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) under the 1977

Reference fi"om Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 201 1, the

Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives.

Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an on-demand release of 617 dam^ (500

acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during 201 1. A volume of 2,180 dam^ (1,770 acre-feet), in addition to the

minimum flow, was delivered to the United States between May 1 and May 31, 2011. In addition, daily

flows in 2011 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the year except for 12

days in August.

During 201 1, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 2010

Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee.

Yours sincerely.

Jjo^n M. Kilpatrick ^ Mike Renouf

airman, United States Section Chairman, Canadiag^ection

^

,^^//-^

]

Tim£>arTS (^eg Acfilmali

Member, United States Section Memoer, Canadian Section
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for 2011 iii

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Committee Activities 2

2.1 Membership 2

2.2 Meetings 2

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3 2.4 Data Exchange 4

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities 4

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 6

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6

3.2 Surface Water 6

3.2.1 Streamflow 6

3.2.2 Apportionment 7

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 8

3.2.4 On-Demand Release 9

3.2.5 Surface- Water Quality 10

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 1

3.2.5.2 Boron 14

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives 17

3.3 Groundwater 19

3.3.1 Operations-Saskatchewan 19

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring 21

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 21

3.3.2.2 Montana 23

3.3.3 Ground- Water Quality 25

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 25

3.3.3.2 Montana 28

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 29

3.4.1 Storage 29

3.4.2 Water Quality 31

3.5 Air Quality 32

3.6 Quality Control 32

3.6.1 Streamflow 32

3.6.2 Water Quality 32

ANNEXES

1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement. Canada-United States A

2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical

Monitoring Schedules, 201 1, Canada-United States A2

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3

4.0 Conversion Factors A4
TABLES

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 5 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 201 1 Sampling

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana 21

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

Project Wells 25

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

at the Discharge Pipe 26

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 201

29

FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 201 1 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean

Discharge from 1931-2010 for the Poplar River at International Boundary 7

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

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9

Figure 3.4 Estimated TDS Concentration During 201 1 for East Poplar River at International

Boundary 12

Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar

River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 12

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

River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 1

Figure 3.7 Daily TDS Concentration, Calendar Years 1990 to 201 1, for East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 13

Figure 3.8 Estimated Boron Concentration During 201 1 for East Poplar River at International

Boundary 15

Figure 3.9 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar

River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 15

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

East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 16

Figure 3.1

Daily Boron Concentration, Calendar Years 1 990 to 201 1, for East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 16

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

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project 20

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

Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 22

Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers 23

Figure 3.1 7 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 24

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 28

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 201 1 and Median

Daily Water Levels, 2001-2010 30

Figure 3.20 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 201 1 and Median

Daily Storage, 2001-2010 31

Figure 3.21 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-201 1 for

Cookson Reservoir 32
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2011

The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-eighth full year of operation in 201 1. The two 300-

megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,562,005 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average capacity

factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 91 .0 percent and 85.6 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour for both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. The scheduled

maintenance outage for Unit 1 and 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 201 1 so as not to coincide with

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

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 201 1 was exchanged in the

spring of 2012.

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 201 1 was

28,510 dam^ (23.1 10 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded

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

of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for the period June 1, 201 1 to August 31, 2011, and 0.057 mVs (2.0 ftVs) for the period September 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. The

minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 201 1 was 0.028 m^/s (1.0 ftVs), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 3 1 , 2010.

Daily flows during 201 1 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the year

except for 12 days in August.

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

June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2010 runoff volume of 5,420 dam^ (4,400 acre-feet) recorded

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

release of 617 dam (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period

commencing June 1, 2010. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31,

2011. Ave

this period.

201 1. A volume of 2,180 dam^ (1,770 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during

The 201 1 five-year estimated flow-weighted TDS concentrations were below the long-term objective of

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

value in 2011 was about 987 mg/L which was similar to value calculated in 2010. The 2011 five-year

estimated flow-weighted boron concentrations remained well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L.

m
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of five years by

the Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring

Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July

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

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

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

Committee.

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

impacts from SaskPower's (formerly Saskatchewan Power Corporation) coal-fired thermal generating

station and ancillary operations near Coronach, Saskatchewan. Monitoring is conducted in Canada

and the United States at or near the International Boundary for quantity and quality of surface and

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

Provincial agencies, are involved in monitoring.

The Committee submits an annual report to Governments which summarizes the monitoring results,

evaluates apparent trends, and compares the data to objectives or standards recommended by the

International Joint Commission (IJC) to Governments, or relevant State, Provincial, or Federal

standards. The Committee reports to Governments on a calendar year basis. The Committee is also

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

which may require immediate attention.

A responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of the monitoring programs in both

countries and make recommendations to Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The

Schedules are updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications in sampling

frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical

Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the year 2012. The

Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change.
2.0 COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

2.1 Membership

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

and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve as local representatives

for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan.

During 2011, the members of the Committee included: Mr. J. Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey,

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

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

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

Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C. W. Tande, Daniels County Commissioner, Montana local exofficio representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio

representative.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met via a conference call on June 24, 2011. Delegated representatives of

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

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

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

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

in 2010 including surface-water quality and quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air

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

Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2012.
2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives

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

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

within the overall Basin context and recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate. In 1991, an action item from the annual Committee meeting set in motion the review and revision of the waterquality objectives.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"natural" to "ambient".

In 1999, the Committee replaced the term "discontinued" with "suspended" in Table 2.1

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

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

Current objectives approved by the Committee are listed in Table 2.1

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

suspended.

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

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

of the participating governments or from 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 quarterly. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the beginning of the 1992

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

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

whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 201 1 which warranted special reporting.

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

times per year to supplement the daily specific conductance data collected by the continuous waterquality monitor.
Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

Parameter

Original

Objective

Recommendation

Current

Objective

Boron, total 3.5/2.5' Continue as is 3.5/2.5' TDS 1,500/1,000' Continue as is 1,500/1,000'

Aluminum, dissolved 0.1 Suspended* —

Ammonia, un-ionized 0.02 Suspended* —

Cadmium, total 0.0012 Continue as is 0.0012

Chromium, total 0.05 Suspended* —

Copper, dissolved 0.005 Suspended* —

Copper, total 1 Suspended* —

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 Continue as is 1.5

Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Mercury, dissolved 0.0002 Suspended* —

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

Nitrate 10 Continue as is to

Oxygen, dissolved

4.0/5.0-

Objective applies only during open

water

4.0/5.0-

SAR (units) 10 Continue as is 10

Sulfate, dissolved 800 Continue as is 800

Zinc, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Water temperature (C) 30.0- Continue as is 30.o' pH (units) 6.5^ Continue as is 6.5^

Coliform(no./100mL)

Fecal 2,000 Suspended* —

Total 20,000 Suspended* ....

Units m mg/L except as noted

1 Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2 5 boron, < 1,000 TDS,

Three-month average of tlow-weighted concentration should be <3 5 boron and <l ,500 TDS

2, 5 (minimum April lOtoMay 15), 4 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning).

3 Natural temperature (April lOtoMay 15), <30 degree Celsius (remainder of year) 4 Less than 5 pH units above ambient, minimum pH=6 5

*Suspended after review of historic data found sample concentrations consistently below the objective. The Committee will periodically review status of suspended objectives.
3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation

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

town on Coronach, Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station is comprised of two ligniteburning power generating units designated Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Unit No. 1 is rated as a 315

MW/hour generating unit and Unit No. 2 is rated as a 315 MW/hour generating unit. Both units

share a common 122 metres (m) (400 feet (ft)) tall stack.

In 2011 both units were operated as base load units supplying the maximum production except

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

Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 201 1 so as not to coincide with

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

Poplar River has changed the scheduling of Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 outages. In the past, the

spring/fall outages have consisted of a three week outage on one unit and a one-week outage on

the other. Starting in 2011, the schedule was changed to a four-week outage on one unit in the

spring and a four-week outage on the other unit in the fall.

Between January 1 and December 31, Poplar River Power Station generated 4,562,005 gross MW

of electricity. During this time approximately 3,432,897 tonnes (3,784,121 tons) of coal and 2,417

m^ (635,500 gallons) of fuel oil were consumed. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and

Unit No. 2 were 91 .0 percent and 85.6 percent respectively.

3.2 Surface Water

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was well above normal in 2011. The March to October

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

basin, was 47,000 cubic decametres (dam^) (38,100 acre-feet), which was 470 percent of the 1931-

2010 median seasonal flow of 9,930 dam^ (8,050 acre-feet). A comparison of 201 1 monthly mean

discharge with the 1931-2010 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1.
EO

Uaw

»a

M

ss

u2

3o

E

o

-0-- Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2010

Monthly Mean Discharge for 2011

315

280

245

210

175

140

105

70

35

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

-6

Oct

ou

o

(Aa

a

ILo

ia3U

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 201 1 as Compared with the Median Monthly

Mean Discharge from 1931-2010 for the Poplar River at International Boundary.

The 2011 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 50,320

dam (40,790 acre-feet). This volume is 188 percent of the median annual flow of 2,680 dam

(2,120 acre-feet) for 1976-2010 (since the completion of Morrison Dam).

3.2.2 Apportionment

In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task

Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and

the United States regarding the apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although the

recommendations have not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to the apportionment recommendations. Annex 3 contains the apportionment recommendation.
3.2.3 Minimum Flows

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 3 1

,

2011 was 28,510 dam^ (23,110 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption

that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s))

J T for the period June 1, 201 1 to August 31, 201 1, and 0.057 m /s (2.0 ft /s) for the period September

1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2011

was 0.028 m^/s (1.0 ft^/s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2010. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and the

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

Daily flows during 20 1 1 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the

year except for 1 2 days in August.

100.00

o

o

CO

a>Q.

0) u.u

!53

u

0.35

2011

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary.
3.2.4 On-Demand Release

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

commencing June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2010 runoff volume of 5,420 dam^ (4.400

acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, Montana was

entitled to an additional release of 617 dam^ (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the

succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2010. Montana requested this release to be

made between May 1 and May 31, 20 11. A volume of 2,180 dam"^ (1,770 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. A hydrograph showing cumulative volume of

the on-demand release request and on-demand release delivery made at the East Poplar River at International Boundary is shown in Figure 3.3.

b

«•V

E

n

u

«Q

u

!o3o

C

2400

2000

1600

C 1200

800

400

-On-Demand Release Delivery -On-Demand Release Request

1950

1625 iZ

01

1300

975

<

4)E

3

O>

2011

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release.
3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

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

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

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

the long-term average offlow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and

1,000 mg/L or lessfor TDS in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

samples were obtained.

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

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

concentrations using a linear regression relationship with specific conductance. Since 2003, the

Committee has agreed to use the continuous data collected by the specific-conductance monitor as a surrogate for the monthly water-quality sampling program. Hence, the three-month FWC for

TDS and boron in 201 1 were calculated using the two established equations (shown later in text)

and the continuous specific-conductance data collected at the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary.

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

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

moving FWC which is advanced one month at a time.

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

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

from the 5 -year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 201 1 is calculated from data generated over the period December 2006 to December 2011. 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.

All water quality analyses shown in this report were derived solely from the mid-month recorded

daily specific conductance data and the two established regression equations for TDS and boron.

10
3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids

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

station. During periods of high runoff such as spring freshet, TDS decreases as the proportion of

streamflow derived from ground water decreases. Conversely, during times of low streamflow

(late summer, winter) the contribution of ground water to streamflow is proportionally greater.

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

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

Mid-month estimated TDS concentrations during 201 1 for East Poplar River at the International

Boundary are shown in Figure 3.4. The mid-month estimated TDS concentrations ranged from

672 mg/L on June 15 to 1,041 mg/L on March 15 and November 15.

No recorded daily conductance values were obtained during the March 5 to April 10, 201 1 period.

Missing daily conductance data during this period were estimated using median value calculated

from the other available daily readings during the month as an approximate value in order to calculate moving FWC for TDS.

The three-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of 1990-2011 is presented in Figure 3.5. The short-term TDS objective has not been exceeded during the period of record.

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

of 1,000 mg/L in 201 1. The maximum monthly five-year estimated FWC in 201 1 was about 987

mg/L, similar to the value observed in 2010. The basin experienced above average flows during

May and June in 201 1 which significantly lowered the five-year moving estimated FWC for TDS.

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

readings, for the period January 1991 through December 201 1 are shown in Figure 3.7. The figure

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

the spring of each year. Please note that estimated daily TDS values for the March 5 to April 1

period of missing conductance data were not plotted.

The relationship between TDS and specific conductance based upon data collected from 1974 to 2003 is as follows:

TDS = (0.624613813 x specific conductance) + 35.1841527

(R^ = 0.84, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate TDS concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the International Boundary for 2011. These estimates are used in the current annual waterquality report.

11
1200

1000 < > 1 1Q

§. 800

o

COI

600

Q

ra 400 o

I200

1041 9Sb 972 960

997

1041 -"991

778

747 747

672

> Statistically Estimated from Mid-Month Specific Conductance Values

LU <

3<

Q.

a> O

0) Q

Figure 3.4: Estimated TDS Concentration for 201

East Poplar River at tiie International Boundary

1800

1600

1400

^^^

1 D)E 1200

en -Oo

CO 1000

T3

Q)>s

800

(0 Q

nj 600 o

400

200

Short-term Objective

/!>^/^/^ /

;

—

Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample -— — Statistically Estimated using Monthly Mean Speafic Conductance Values

O)

CO s

If)

CJ) S

CO

at

CJ) cn O oCNOCOO s

ino

CDO o

ooo

CJ> oo

c C c

to c

TO cTO OJ CO TO c

CD c

OJ cTO cTO cnj TO C

CO c

CO to cCO cCO

Figure 3.5: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration

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

12
1600

1400

-> 1200 E^ 1000 o

"S 800

Lo n g -term Objecti ve

600

400

200

— 1^) o — — —

1600 r

Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weigh ted Average TDS Concentration

forEast Poplar River at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

Figure 3.7: Daily TDS Concentration. CalendarYears 1991 to 201 1. forEast Poplar River at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

13
3.2.5.2 Boron

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

developed from water-quality samples collected from 1974-2003 and the daily specific

conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor. Figure 3.8 shows that during

201 1 mid-month estimated dissolved boron concentrations in the East Poplar at the International

Boundary varied from 1.27 mg/L on June 15 to 2.03 mg/L on March 15 and November 15.

The 3-month flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron for the period of 1990-201 1 is shown

in Figure 3.9. The short-term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded over the period 1975 to 2011.

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

2.5 mg/L during 201 1.

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

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

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

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

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

around their respective long-term mean concentrations. Daily boron concentrations for the period

of 1990-201 1 are shown in Figure 3.1 1.

The relationship between boron and specific conductance applied to data collected from 1974 to 2003 is as follows:

Boron = (0.00129 x specific conductance) - 0.04709

(R^ = 0.57, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate boron concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the International Boundary for 2011. These estimates are used in the current annual waterquality report.

14
4.0

3.5

enE

o

CO

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

< > I 97 » 1.91 2.03 189 4 1.86 '^'^ 2.03

^^^ 142

127

1.4^

• Statistically Estimated from Mid-Montti Specific Conductance Values

^S

a. <

'<> 193

Figure 3.8: Estimated Boron Concentration During 201

for EastPoplar River at the International Boundary

4.0

3.5 Short-term Objective

3.0

-• Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

-* Statistically Estimated using Monthly Mean Specific Conductance Values

yt\/^, f

M

0.0

Figure 3.9: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated

)

15
2.5 Long-term Objective

0.5

^ <N m •* >n ^O r~- 00 0^ o fN m "* in vO r-~ 00 0^ O CM

'^ ^ =r ^ ^ ^ =^ ^ =^ o o 9 9 9 9 O o o O —

c C c C c C c c C c c c c c c c c c C c c C

3

-> C3 C3 C3 —5 C3 —5 C3 C3 —

C3 —5 C3 C3 w 03 C3 C3 n3

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

for East Poplar River atthe IntemationalBoundary (Statistically Estimated)

3.0

0.0

OS 0^ 0^ Ov

<0 \C

Ov OS

oo

OS

OS

OS O

o O

CMo O O o

SOO

1^o

009

OS9

a> —

c

C3 CC3 03 c03 c03 C03 CCO 03 c

03 c

03 c c

03

Figure 3.1 1 : Daily Boron Concentration. CalendarYears 1991-201 1. for East Poplar River atthe IntemationalBoundary (Statistically Estimated)

16
3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives

Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board in

1979 to the IJC. The table shows the number of samples collected for each parameter and the

number of times over the course of the year that the objectives were exceeded. In the table,

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

single sample, but where an objective was exceeded in a replicate sample, this is charged against

the single sample noted. As the table shows, all parameters were within the appropriate objectives.

17
Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2011 Sampling Program,

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

Parameter Objective No. of Samples Excursions

USA Canada

Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments

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

Total Dissolved Solids 1.500/1,000(1) N/A N/A N/A

Objectives recommended by 'opiar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments

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

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

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

Nitrate 10.0 N/A N/A N/A

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1

)

Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3 5 mg/L boron and < 1,500 mg/L TDS Five-year average of

flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2 5 mg/L boron and < 1,000 mg/L TDS

(2) 5 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4 (minimum, remainder of the year)

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

(4) Less than 0,5 pH units above natural, minimum pH = 6 5

N/A - Not applicable

NOTE: No samples Mere obtained in 201 1.

18
3.3 Ground Water

3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan

SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2011 with 2,059 dam^ (1,669

acre-feet) of ground water being produced. This volume is down from the 2,704 dam (2,192

acre-feet) pumped in 2010. Production from 1991 to 201 1 has averaged 4,512 dam (3,658 acrefeet) per year. Prior to 1991, the well network was part of a dewatering network for coal mining

operations, which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid-1980's as shown in Figure 3.12. During the 1988-1990 drought period it was evident that there was a continued need for ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently

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

9000

8000

7000

6000

E 5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

7290

6480

5670

4860

4050 £

3240

2430

1620

810

C^"" <^^ <^ <^ # <# # # <# <# c# <# <# CN^^ # c?^ o^'' o^* cs^^ ^

Year

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

Water Supply

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

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

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

well field during the year.

19
In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project south of

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

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

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

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

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

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

rates with production of 812 dam"^ (658 acre-feet) in 2006 but subsequent production continued to decline as shown in Figure 3.13.

SaskPower is considering an evaluation and possible replacement program for the Soil Salinity

project production wells since the total volume of water produced from the project in 2011 all came from well PW87 104.

In 2009, a new ash lagoon (No. 4) was constructed and put into service.

1200

Year

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project

20
3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring

Equivalent geologic formations present in Saskatchewan and Montana have different names. A list of the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana

1 Formation Location Geologic Formation Name

Saskatchewan Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium

Montana Fox Hills Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

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

Saskatchewan Environment approved this reduction based on modelling studies undertaken by

SaskPower.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hydrographs of selected Hart Coal Seam monitoring wells near the International Boundary are shown in Figures 3.14 and 3.15. These hydrographs do not show any significant changes in water

levels in the Hart Coal Seam near the boundary in the past 24 years.

21
765 r

760

755 <

•5 750

745

740

735

4 •^tk *l

1

N Ml /

m

Ai ^rt -*-*-*-* -AA aa

k

^ 4 if

^ /•kii| rt ../» ! 9M^^mw / ^ 1^i*i r

2493 58

2477.17

2460.75

2444.33

2427 92

2411.50 d^ o^ <# # #" #a^^ c# (# <# c^^ <# c# c5i^ c?" #c^?" ^ ^o^ #«> c^ ^* ^^^ c^^ e^'' <^

\V \»^ v^' \»0> \V \»C' vfC* x^- ^'O' sV s'C' sV v'C' \V k'^' \V \V \>0' vV \V \'^J' vN^ v'O' \V s><' \N>

Date

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

810

800

5 790

S 780

770

760

1

*

f

I

HI -— - , J

i .. 1 B

4

1 I 1# 1 1 * %rf ^ "^ ^ m A

J k^M A M "A-A AA A J

«* ^ \

i V ^

^T

a< •**

< » *¥ »•

1

2658 00

2625 20

2559.60 -g

2526 80

2494 00

^^ ^^^ sX*^^ ^^^ .^"^^ ^N-^^ ^\"^^ ^\*^^

^N"-^ ^^^ ^^^ .^"-^ ^\^^ ^\^^ VVVV^VVV\\^^

Date

Figure 3.15 Hydrographs of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam

22
3.3.2.2 Montana

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

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

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

levels generally declined between 1987 and 1992-1994; since 1994, water-level trends are flat or slowly rising. Water-level hydrographs from wells 17 and 19 are shown on Figure 3.16. Offsets

noted in the legend for Figure 3.16 have been applied to make the hydrographs more readable.

Water-level data used to construct the hydrographs in Figure 3.16 can be accessed through the

Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu.

Water levels in wells 6, 7, and 16 have changed as much as 15 ft (4.6 m) but generally declined

from the beginning of monitoring to the mid 1990s before beginning to rise. Water levels in well

16 reached near record highs in 1985 and 201 1 . High water-level elevations in 201 1 were related

to heavy winter snow accumulation and associated snowmelt runoff. Water-level hydrographs for

wells 6 and 7 are shown on Figure 3.16.

'^^^^'^^^^^^s^^^^^*^^?'*^ ^>«^«^^^^*«^^ y^ )o^^s**^*;>o**^'^>

Jan-1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year —©— Well 6 (GWIC 4227 +10 ft offset Hart Coal) —B— Well 7 (GWIC 4267 +7 ft offset Hart Coal) —A- Well 17 (GW'IC 4297 -3 ft offset Hart Coal) ^«— Weil 19 (GWIC 4290. -5 ft offset Hart Coal)

Figure 3.16 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers

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

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

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

years water levels steadily declined returning to pre-melt 2003 elevations between 2004 (Well 23)

and 2008 (Well 5).

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

aquifer (well 11) are shown in Figure 3.17. Offsets noted in the legend have been applied to the

data to make the hydrographs more readable. Measurements from wells 1 1 and 24 where the

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

hydrographs in Figure 3.17 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information

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

The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 1

1 -Figure 3.17) has

shown little fluctuation during the 1979-201 1 monitoring period, but the entire record shows a

slight long-term downward trend.

Jan

^ 3^

1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year — Weill (Gwic 4340: ft offset : Alluvium/coal) —B— Well 1 1 (GWIC 4329: +3 ft offset : Fox Hills-Hell Creek) — Well 23 (GWC 124105: + 2ft offset Outwash) —x— Well 24 (GWIC 144835: -3ftoffset: Alluvium)

Figure 3.17 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers

Above average precipitation including heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused

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

during 201 1 . Wells 23 and 24 were flowing over their casing tops in April and July 201

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

4 ft (1 .2 m) above their 2010 altitudes. However, in October 201 1, the water level in well 16 was

about 10 ft (3 m) and the water level in well 23 was about 0.5 ft (0.2 m) above their October 2010

measurements.

24
3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan

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

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

tested parameters during 20 11 is provided in Table 3.3. Result averages for the 1992-2010 periods

are also included in this table for comparison.

TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from

Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells*

1992 to 2010

Average

2011

Average

pH (units) 8.1 8.1

Conductivity (|as/cm) 1296 1080

Total Dissolved Solids 889 757

Total Suspended Solids 11 20

Boron 1.2 0.9

Sodium 173 136

Cyanide (fig/L) 2 1

Iron 0.3 0.8

Manganese 0.1 0.07

Mercury (|ig/L) 0.07 0.02

Calcium 67 63

Magnesium 52 61

Sulfate 274 290

Nitrate 0.08 0.04

*A11 units mg/L unless otherwise noted. Samples obtained at Site "CS" on Girard Creek.

Average results from the common discharge point for the Soil Salinity Project for 201 1, plus an

average of the 1992-2010 results are provided in Table 3.4. Results have remained relatively

consistent since 1992.

25
TABLE 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity

Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe*

1992-2010

Average

2011

Average

pH (units) 7.6 7.7

Conductivity (|is/cm) 1457 1547

Total Dissolved Solids 1006 1091

Boron 1.6 1.4

Calcium 103 123

Magnesium 59 68

Sodium 159 153

Potassium 7.5 8.1

Arsenic (i^g/L) 11.7 13.5 Aluminum 0.05 0.001

Barium 0.034 0.018

Cadmium 0.014 <0.001

Iron 4.1 4.2

Manganese 0.128 0.135

Molybdenum 0.013 0.001

Strontium 1.727 1.993

Vanadium 0.013 <0.001

Uranium (i^g/L) 0.656 1.025

Mercury (|i/L) 0.07 0.02

Sulfate 328 388

Chloride 6.6 8.0

Nitrate 0.067 0.040

*A11 concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

26
Ash Lagoon # 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. Future monitoring of all piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in order to improve the

understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons.

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. The mound extends from the center of the Ash

Lagoon No. 1 to the southeast side of Ash Lagoon No. 2. Piezometers located in the oxidized till suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till.

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

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

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

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

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

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

from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 218 mg/L in 2011. The chloride level for C728D has increased from

185 mg/L in 1983 to 350 mg/L in 201 1. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and

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

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

seen in C728D.

The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to southeast below Morrison Dam. As a general observation. Empress piezometers respond to changing reservoir levels. Results for the Empress layer do not indicate seepage activity with the

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

Piezometer C712B has been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels were below 1 mg/L. From 1992 to 201 1, boron levels have remained relatively steady between 12 and 20 mg/L.

27
3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 201 1. Well 7 is completed in

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

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

the same as they were in 2006 but have been trending higher since 2009. The 201 1 sample shows

that the TDS concentration in well 16 was slightly above the concentration observed in the 2010

sample; the 2010 and 201 1 samples are well above the anomalously low value observed in 2009.

Changes in TDS with time for wells 7, 16, and 24 are shown in Figure 3.18. Water-chemistry data

used to construct the graphs in Figure 3.18 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water

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

E

in o

800

700

o 600 >I

500

"(5 o

400

300

' H^td4^^

Jan-1978 Jan-1982 Jan-1986 Jan-1990 Jan-1994 Jan-1998 Jan-2002 Jan-2006 Jan-2010 Jan-2014 Date

-A— Well 7 (GWC 4267 - Hart Coal) -e— Well 24 (GWIC 144835 - Alluvium) Well 16 (GWIC 4211 - Fort Union)

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells.

28
3.4 Cookson Reservoir

3.4.1 Storage

On January 1, 201 1, Cookson Reservoir storage was 32,370 dam (26,240 acre-feet) or 75 % of

the full supply volume. The 2011 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5.

Spring inflows into the reservoir were high in 2011, bringing the reservoir to its full supply on

April 12. Rainfall runoff events then kept the reservoir at or above full supply until mid July, after

which inflows were limited and evaporative processes brought the reservoir down below full supply. At the end of 2011, the reservoir was at 752.49 metres (m) (2,468.80 feet (ft)), or approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft) below full supply. While releases were not required to meet

apportionment target flows in 2011, the gates at Morrison Dam were operated to pass inflows

during the flood events.

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

abandoned west block mine site supplied 2,059 dam^ ( 1 .669 acre-feet) to Girard Creek. Wells in

the soil salinity project area supplied 363 dam^ (294 acre-feet).

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2011

Date

Elevation

(m)

Elevation

(ft)

Contents

(dam^)

Contents

(acre-feet)

January 1 751.47 2.465.45 32.370 26.240

June 18

(Maximum) 753.24 2,471.26 45,290 36,720

March 14

(Minimum)

751.43 2,465.32 32,070 26,000

December 3

752.49 2,468.80 39,500 32,020

Full Supply Level 753.00 2.470.47 43,410 35,190

29
The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling.

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

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

ft). The 201 1 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19 along with

the 10-year median levels. Likewise, the 201 1 storage and associated operating levels are shown

in Figure 3.20 along with the 10-year median levels.

754,00

753.00

752.00

751.00

*- 750.00

c— 749.00 C

g

> 748.00

0^

747.00

746.00

745.00

744.00

^ Full Supply Level

-vv

• r

^—

- _^r

-

1 1 1 Minimum Desirable Operatin

1

' ' g Level •

1 D-Year Dll

Media n(2001-201C))

- 2

-

: Mir imum UsabU> Stora ge Lev el

. .

2473.75

2470.47

2467.19

2463.91

2460.63 a; Lkc

2457.35 c

o

m

>

2454.07 0)

2450.79

2447.51

2444.23

2440.94 Jam JanSl Mar2 Apr2 May2 Junl Jul2 Augl Aug31 Oct 1 Od 31 Nov30 Dec31

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2011 and

Median Daily Water Levels, 2001-2010

30
50000

45000

40000

£

E

fOu

0) a

u

!5U

c

bO

roO

35000

30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

-- Full Supply Level

i

1

;

.^^ ^''nr^ - T

y-

^

"-^ -

J-_j^^ - ^

r

"^ "~~-

LQ^

- —y 1 1 1 -

2011

laii ,..». Lu;

-

Min imum Desiral }le Operating Level

-

:

•

- 1111

Minimum Usable Storage Level

-

1 1 1 1 1

40535

36482

32428

28375 ^

01

24321

20268

16214

12161

8107

01u<

c

IV00

k.o•-> to

4054

Jani Jan3i Mar2 Apr2 May2 Junl Jul2 Augi Aug31 Oct 1 Oct 31 Nov30 Dec31

Figure 3.20 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2011 and

Median Daily Storage, 2001-2010

3.4.2 Water Quality

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

volumes will decrease the water quality Vv'hile high volumes will improve the water quality. The

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

precipitation and supplementary water supply, which increases reservoir volumes and losses,

which consist of evaporation, water uses and apportionment releases, which decreases volume.

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

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

approximately 780 mg/L to over 1,800 mg/L as shown in figure 3.21. From 1997 to 2004, the

TDS levels in the reservoir generally remained below 1,000 mg/L. The TDS levels increased to 1,540 mg/L between 2005 and 2008 before significant runoff reduced the TDS levels to 1,160

mg/L in 2009. Above normal precipitation runoff volumes in June 201 1 reduced the 201 1 average

TDS level in Cookson Reservoir to 791 mg/L, down significantly from the 2010 average TDS

level of 1,346 mg/L.

31
50000

Cookson Reservoir

Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids

2500

2000

1500

-IE

1000

500

n3(y3fl]n}<T}(T3(D(O0i3(O(un}(on}(on3(t}ni(Dn3(O(on3(D(D(D(ons(Dn}ro(O<o

"Reservoir Volume TDSI

Figure 3.21 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-2011

for Cookson Reservoir

3.5 Air Quality

SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2011 recorded no values greater than Saskatchewan

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

ppm. The 2011 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 11.6

|ig/m and 2011 was the twentieth consecutive year of below-average standard particulate

readings.

3.6 Quality Control

3.6.1 Streamflow

No comparative current-meter discharge measurements were made in 201 1 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary site between personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and

Environment Canada (EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability.

3.6.2 Water Quality

No joint sampling was performed in 20 11 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to continued suspension in the surface-water-quality sampling program by the USGS and EC.

32
ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA-UNITED STATES

September 23, 1980

POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

I. PURPOSE

This Arrangement will provide for the exchange of data collected as described in the attached

Technical Monitoring Schedules in water-quality, water quantity and air quality monitoring programs

being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary in response to SaskPower development. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of the data in each

country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical interpretation.

The Arrangement will replace and expand upon the quarterly information exchange program instituted

between Canada and the United States in 1976.

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are:

Government of Canada: Environment Canada

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan:

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Government of the United States of America: United States Geological Survey

Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee will be established to

carry out responsibilities assigned to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in accordance with the following terms of reference:

Al-3
A. Membership

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating

Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of the

United States. There will be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The participating

Governments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the Committee. Cochairpersons may by mutual agreement invite agency technical experts to participate in the work of the

Committee.

The Governor of the State of Montana may also appoint a chief elective official of local government to

participate as an ex-officio member of the Committee in its technical deliberations. The Saskatchewan

Minister of the Environment may also appoint a similar local representative.

B, Functions of the Committee

The role of the Committee will be to fulfil the purpose of the Arrangement by ensuring the exchange

of monitored data in accordance with the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation

and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementation of the Arrangement. In

addition, the Committee will review the existing monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and may

recommend to the Canadian and United States Governments any modifications to improve the

Technical Monitoring Schedules.

1. Information Exchange

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

regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

AI-4
2. Reports

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

and may at any time prepare joint Special Reports.

(b) Annual Reports will

i) summarize the main activities of the Committee in the year under Report and the data

which has been exchanged under the Arrangement;

ii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any definitive changes in the

monitored parameters, based on collation and technical interpretation of exchanged

data (i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other appropriate techniques);

iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any recommendations regarding

the adequacy or redundancy of any scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals

regarding modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based on a continuing

review of the monitoring programs including analytical methods to ensure their

comparability.

(c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of participating governments

definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention.

(d) Preparation of Reports

Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee members and will

be signed by all Committee members. Reports will be separately forwarded by the

Committee Co-chairmen to the participating governments. All annual and special

reports will be so distributed.

Al-5
3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

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

(a) dissemination of information within their respective countries, and the arrangement of

any discussion required with local elected officials;

(b) verification that monitoring operations are being carried out in accordance with the

Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating monitoring agencies;

(c) receipt and collation of monitored data generated by the cooperating monitoring

agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring

Schedules;

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate government in their respective

countries any failure to comply with a scheduled monitoring function on the part of

any cooperating agency under the jurisdiction of that government, and requesting that

appropriate corrective action be taken.

IV. PROVISION OF DATA

In order to ensure that the Committee is able to carry out the terms of this Arrangement, the

participating governments will use their best efforts to have cooperating monitoring agencies, in their

respective jurisdictions provide on an ongoing basis all scheduled monitored data for which they are

responsible.

V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

The Arrangement will be effective for an initial term of five years and may be amended by agreement

of the participating governments. It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will be

renewed thereafter for as long as it is required by the participating governments.

Al-6
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2012

CANADA-UNITED STATES

A2-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE A2 - 5

CANADA

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 8

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 10

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY A2 - 14

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- POWER STATION AREA A2 - 1

6

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- ASH LAGOON AREA

WATER LEVEL A2-18

WATER QUALITY A2- 19

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32

A2-3

PREAMBLE

The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water-quality and air quality

monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is

described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement.

The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been reviewed by the Poplar River

Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any

definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality at the International Boundary. The

Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments

based on the recommendations of the Committee.

Additional information has been or is being collected by agencies on both sides of the International

Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional

information is usually available upon request from the collecting agency and forms part of the pool

of technical information which may be drawn upon by Governments for specific study purposes.

Examples of additional information are water-quantity, water-quality, ground-water and air-quality

data collected at points in the Poplar River basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In addition,

supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish and waterfowl populations

and aquatic vegetation has been collected on either a routine or specific-studies basis by various

agencies.

A2-5

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2012

CANADA

A2-7
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally

published in surface-water-data publications.

Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada; Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

r 11AE003"

(06178500)

East Poplar River at International Boundary

2 11AE013*" Cookson Reservoir near Coronach

3 11AE015*" Girard Creek near Coronach Cookson Reservoir

4 11AE014*" East Poplar River above Cookson Reservoir

5 Fife Lake Overflow****

6* 11AE008

(06178000)

Poplar River at International Boundary

International gauging station.

Environment Canada will assume monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012.

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

Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Saskatchewan Watershed

Authority (SWA) during periods of outflow only.

A2-8
5 10 15 KILOMETERS

_J ,I L

10 MILES

HYOROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-9
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 1

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

1 00SA11AE0008

Suspended

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 1 Data collected by: Sask Power

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

2 12386 East Poplar River at Culvert immediately below

Discontinued Cookson Reservoir

3 12368 Cookson Reservoir near Dam

4 12377

Discontinued

Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36

5 12412

Discontinued

Girard Creek at Coronach, Reservoir Outflow

6 7904 Fife Lake Outflow*

^Sampled only when outflow occurs for a 2-week period, which does not occur every year.

A2-10
UNITED STATES

LEGEND

A SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENT AND

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

5 10 15 KILOMETERS J ,

I L

10 MILES

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

ENVIRODAT*

Code

Analytical Method

Sampling Frequency

Station No. I

I0I5I Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Potentiometnc Titration SUS

10111 Alkalinity-total Potentiometric Titration SUS

13102 Aluminum-dissolved AA-Direct SUS

13302 Aluminum-extracted AA-Direct SUS

07540 Ammonia-total Automated Colounmetric SUS

33108 Arsenic-dissolved ICAP-hydnde SUS

56001 Barium-total AA-Direct SUS

06201 Bicarbonates Calculated SUS

05211 Boron-dissolved ICAP SUS

96360 Bromoxynil Gas Chromatography SUS

48002 Cadmium-total AA Solvent Extraction SUS

20113 Calcium AA-Direct SUS

06104 Carbon-dissolved organic Automated IR Detection SUS

06901 Carbon-particulate Elemental Analyzer SUS

06002 Carbon-total organic Calculated SUS

06301 Carbonates Calculated SUS

17206 Chloride Automated Colourimetric SUS

06717 Chlorophyll a Spectrophotometric SUS

24003 Chromium-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

27002 Cobalt-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

36012 Coliform-fecal Membrane Filtration SUS

36002 Coliform-total Membrane Filtration SUS

02021 Colour Comparator SUS

02041 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge SUS

06610 Cyanide Automated UV-Colourimetric SUS

09117 Fluoride-dissolved ElecCrometnc SUS

06401 Free Carbon Dioxide Calculated SUS

10602 Hardness Calculated SUS

17811 Hexachlorobenzene Gas Chromatography SUS

08501 Hydroxide Calculated SUS

26104 Iron-dissolved AA-Direct SUS

82002 Lead-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

12102 Magnesium AA-Direct SUS

25104 Manganese-dissolved AA-Direct SUS

07901 N-particulate Elemental Analyzer SUS

07651 N-total dissolved Automated UV Colourimetric SUS

10401 NFR Gravimetric SUS

28002 Nickel-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

07110 Nitrate/Nitrite Colourimetric SUS

07603 Nitrogen-total Calculated SUS

10650 Non-Carbonate Hardness Calculated SUS 18\XX Organo Chlonnes Gas Chromatography SUS

08101 Oxygen-dissolved Winkler SUS

15901 P-particulate Calculated SUS

15465 P-total dissolved Automated Colounmetric SUS

185XX Phenoxy Herbicides Gas Chromatography SUS

15423 Phosphorus-total Colounmetnc (TRAACS) SUS

19103 Potassium Flame Emission SUS

11250 Percent Sodium Calculated SUS

011201 SAR Calculated SUS

00210 Saturation Index Calculated SUS

34108 Selenium-dissolved ICAP-hydnde SUS

14108 Silica Automated Colounmetnc SUS

11103 Sodium Flame Emission SUS

00211 Stability Index Calculated SUS

16306 Sulphate Automated Colounmetric SUS

00201 TDS Calculated SUS

02061 Temperature Digital Thermometer SUS

02073 Turbidity Nephelometry SUS

23002 Vanadium-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

30005 Zinc-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

10301 PH Electrometnc SUS

92111 Uranium Fluometnc SUS

• - Computer Storage and Retrieval System - Environment Canada AA - Atomic Absorption UV - Ultraviolet NFR - Nonfilterable Residue ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. SUS ~ Suspended

A2-12
PARAMETERS

JResponsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

loata Collected by: SaskPower

ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analytical method

Sampling Freq

Station No

uency

|| 2 3 4 5 <>

1

1111^1 Alkahnit^'-phenol Pot-l itration DIS Q DIS DIS Ol

10101 Alkalinity-tot Pot- 1 ilration DIS Q DIS DIS Ol

13004 Aluminum-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

33004 Arsenic-tot Flanieless AA DIS A DIS DIS

06201 Bicarbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS DIS DIS W

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

20113 Calcmm AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06005 Carbon-tot Organic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06301 Carbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

17203 Chloride Automated Colourimetric DIS DIS DIS OF

06711 Chlorophyll- a' Specffophotometr> DIS Q DIS DIS

24004 Chromium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS 36012 Coliform-fec Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

36002 Coliform-tot Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

02041 Conductivity Conductivity Meter DIS Q DIS DIS W

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

09105 Fluonde Specific Ion Electrode DIS A DIS DIS

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

12102 Magnesium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

80011 Mercury-tot Flameless-AA DIS A DIS DIS

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

07015 N-TKN Automated Colourimetric DIS DIS DIS OF

10401 NFR Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10501 NFR( F) Gravimetric DIS DIS DIS OF

28002 Nickel-tot AA-Solvent Exn-act (MIBK) DIS DIS DIS OF

07110 Nitrate + NOj Automated Colounmetnc DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06521 Oil and Grease Pet Ether Extraction DIS A DIS DIS

08102 Oxygen-diss Meter DIS DIS DIS OF

15406 Phosphorus-tot Colourimetry DIS DIS DIS OF

19103 Potassmm Flame Photometry DIS DIS DIS OF

34005 Selenium-Ext Hydnde generation DIS A DIS DIS

11103 Sodium Flame Photometry DIS DIS DIS OF

16306 Sulphate Colourimetry DIS DIS DIS OF

10451 IDS Gravimetric DIS DIS DIS OF

02061 Temperature Thermometer DIS Q DIS DIS OF

23004 Vanadium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

30005 Zinc-tot A.A-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

10301 pH Electrometnc DIS DIS DIS W

* Computer storage and retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment.

Symbols:

W - Weekly during overflow; OF- Once during eacti period of overflow greater than 2 weeks' duration; Q - Quarteriy; A - Annually; AA - Atomic Absorption; Pot - Potentiometric; tot - total; Pet - Petroleum;

fee - fecal; diss - dissolved; EXT - extract; NFR - Nonfilterable residue; NFR(F) - Nonfilterable residue, fixed; ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; (MIBK) - sample acidified and extracted with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone; DIS - Discontinued.

A2-13
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN

DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Watershed Authority*

Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

Piezometer

Location

Tip of Screen Perforation Zone

Number Elevation (m) (depth in metres)

52 NW 14-1-27 W3 738.43 43-49 (in coal)

506B SW 4-1-27 W3 48.27 81-82 (in coal)

507 SW 6-1-26 W3 725.27 34 - 35 (in coal)

509 NW 1 1-1-27 W3 725.82 76-77 (in coal)

510A NW 1-1-28 W3 769.34 28-29 (in coal and clay)

Data Collected by: SaskPower

A2-14
CANADA

UNITED STATES

10 15 KILOMETERS

L

10 MILES

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

A2-15
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA--WATER LEVELS

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C525 Empress

C526 Empress

C527 Empress

C539 Empress

C540 Empress

C739 Empress

C740 Empress

C741 Empress

C743 Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA-WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C526 Empress

€540 Empress

C741 Empress

A2-16
Ash Lagoons

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION

MONITORING LOCATIONS

DECEMBER 2011

LEGEND

A EMPRESS

-i- SURFACE

LOCATION

i

250

I 500 750 1000 METERS _J I I

A2-17
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA--WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

C534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till

C71I Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized Till C713 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Unoxidized Till C714C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress

C7I5 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C72I Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress

C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress

C74I Empress

C742 Empress

C758 Intra Till Sand

A2-18
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL J

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

C534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C7I1 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized Till C7I3 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Unoxidized Till C7I4C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress

C715 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till €722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till

A2-19
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress

C728A Oxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress

C74I Empress

C742 Empress

C758 Intra Till Sand

C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress

A2-20
•o- Polishing pond

samplings—

location

DIAGRAM N0.1

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION

ASH LAGOONS-MONITORING LOCATIONS

DECEMBER 2011

Pneumatic Piezometers are represented by piezometer series: C764, C765, C766, C767, C768, C886, C887, C890, and C893. Remaining piezometers

are standard piezometers.

LEGEND

OXIDIZED LAYER

D UNOXIDIZED UVYER

* MOTTLED TILL a EMPRESS

• SAND

-f ASH-ABOVE LINER

«• SURFACE MONITORING LOCATION

o TILLEMB

Ash Lagoon No. 4

Piezometer C741 and C742 do not appear in this diagram. Piezometer C741 is located

2.4 kilometers (km) south and 0.8 km east of piezometer C71 5. Piezometer C742 is located

6.4 km south of piezometer C7 1 5.

—1

100 200

0.2S _L_

0.S KILOMETER n

300 400 500 METERS

A2-21
Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment 11 Data Collected by: SaskPower

No. On Map Location Parameters | Reporting Frequency

1 Coronach (Discontinued) Sulphur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulate

Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling

schedule. 2 International Boundary Sulphur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulate

Continuous monitoring w ith hourly averages as summary statistics. 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling

schedule.

3 Poplar River Power Station Wind Speed and Direction Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment

Pulsed tluorescence

Total Suspended Particulate Saskatchewan Environment

High Volume Method

A2-22
CANADA

UNITED STATES

5 10 15 KILOMETERS

I

'—H h

5 10 MILES

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

A2-23

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2012

UNITED STATES

A2-25
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

No. on Map Station Number Station Name

r 06178000 (11 AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary

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

Boundary**

International gauging station.

Environment Canada will assume monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012.

A2-26
5 10 15 KILOMETERS

I

^—

h

5 10 MILES

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-27
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - - Station Locations

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

1

No. On Map ISGS Station No. STATION NAME

1 06178000 Poplar River at International Boundary1 06178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary

PARAMETERS

Annual Sampling Frequency

Analytical Code

Parameter Analytical Method SiteT Site 2"

29801 Alkalinity - lab Fixed endpoinl Titration sus sus

00608 Ammonia - diss Colorimetric sus sus

01002 Arsenic - tot AA, GF sus sus

00025 Barometric pressure Barometer, field sus sus

01020 Boron - diss ICP sus sus

01027 Cadmium - tot/rec ICP, MS sus sus

00915 Calcium - diss ICP sus sus

00940 Chloride - diss IC sus sus

00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge sus sus

00061 Discharge - inst Direct measurement sus sus

00900 Hardness sus sus

00950 Fluoride - diss ISE sus sus

01051 Lead - tot/rec ICP, MS sus sus

00925 Magnesium - diss ICP sus sus

00613 Nitrate - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00631 Nitrate + Nitrite - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00300 Oxygen-diss Oxygen membrane, field sus sus

00400 pH Electrometric, field sus sus

00671 Phos, Ortho-diss Colorimetric sus sus

00665 Phosphorous - tot Colorimetric sus sus

00935 Potassium - diss AA sus sus

00931 SAR Calculated sus sus

80154 Sediment - cone Filtration-Gravimetric sus sus

80155 Sediment - load Calculated sus sus

00955 Silica - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00930 Sodium - diss ICP sus sus

00945 Sulphate - diss IC sus sus

70301 Total Dissolved Solids Calculated sus sus

00010 Temp Water Stem Thennometer sus sus

00020 Temp Air Stem Thermometer sus sus

01092 Zinc - tot/rec ICP, MS sus sus

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

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

Abbreviations: AA - atomic absorption, cone. - concentration, CVAF - cold vapor atomic fluorescence, diss - dissolved, GF - graphite furnace. IC - ion exchange

chromatography, ICP - inductively coupled plasma, ISE - ion-selective electrode; MS - mass spectrography ; Org - organic, phos. - phosphate, tot - total, tot/rec - total recoverable; SUS - sampling suspended

A2-28
CANADA

UNITED STATES

5 10 15 KILOMETERS

I

I L

10 MILES

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-29
GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations 1

Map

Number

Well

Location

Total Depth

(m)

Casing

Diameter

(cm)

Aquifer

Perforation Zone

(m)

7 37N47E12BBBB 44.1 10.2 Hart Coal 39-44

16 37N46E3ABAB 25.5 10.2 Fort Union 23-25

24 37N48E5AB 9.6 10.2 Alluvium 9.2-9.6

Parameters 1

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

0041001106

01095

50250

Alkalinity Aluminum dissolved Antimony dissolvedCalculated ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Sample collection is annually for

all locations identified above 01005 01010

00440

01020

Arsenic dissolved Barium dissolved Beryllium dissolved BicarbonatesICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

ICP or ICP-MS

Electrometric Titration

The analytical method descriptions

are those of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Laboratory where

82298 Boron-diss Emission Plasma. ICP the samples are analyzed. 01025 Bromide Ion Chromatography

00915 Cadmium.dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00445 Calcium Emission Plasma 00940 Carbonates Electrometric Titration 01030 Chloride Ion Chromatography

01035 Chromium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00095 Cobalt, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01040 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 00950 Copper, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

09000 Fluoride Ion Chromatography 01046 Hardness Calculated 01049 Iron-diss Emission Plasma. ICP

01130 Lead-diss Emission Plasma. ICP

00925 Lithium-diss Emission Plasma. ICP

01056 Magnesium Emission Plasma. ICP

01060 Manganese-diss Emission Plasma. ICP

01065 Molybdenum Emission Plasma. ICP-MS

00630 Nickel, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00671 Nitrate Ion Chromatography 00400 Orthophosphate Ion Chromatography 00935 PH Electrometric 00931 Potassium Emission Plasma, ICP

01145 SAR Calculated 00955 Selenium-diss ICP-MS

01075 Silica Emission Plasma. ICP-MS

00930 Silver, dissolved ICP-MS

01080 Sodium Emission Plasma. ICP

00445 Strontium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

01057 Sulphate Ion Chromatography 01150 Thallium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

28011 Titanium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01085 Uranium, dissolved ICP-MS

00190 Vanadium, dissoved ICP or ICP-MS

01160 Zinc-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

* Zirconium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

70301 Sum of diss. Constituents Calculated TDS Calculated

SYMBOLS:

** - Computer storage and retrieval system ~ EPA ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit cm - centimetre ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry diss - dissolved m - metre A2-30
CANADA

UNITED STATES

5 10 15 KILOMETERS J ,__! L

10 MILES

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

A2-31
GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology |

No. on Map Montana Ground Water

Information Center ID No.

Sampling

5 GW1CID4321 Determine water levels quarterly

6 GW1CID4227 Determine water levels quarterly

7 GWICID4267 Determine water levels quarterly

8 GWICID4287 Determine water levels quarterly

9 GWIC1D4274 Determine water levels quarterly

10 GWICID4340 Determine water levels quarterly

11 GWICID4329 Determine water levels quarterly

13 GW1CID4248 Determine water levels quarterly

16 GWICID4211 Determine water levels quarterly

17 GWICID4297 Determine water levels quarterly

19 GW1CID4290 Determine water levels quarterly

22 GWiCID4261 Determine water levels quarterly

23 GWICID 124105 Determine water levels quarterly

24 GWIC ID 144835 Determine water levels quarterly

A2-32
I

l'^^

\ ^^^V V "5 v^ Rockglen ^ ^ ^"XJj^V

\ 5

v

, \\ ^~~~X^'

^^ Coronach 1 / r^-s

\^ Cookson \

I ^-../"^^ \ \r^ ^Sy.M Reservoir )

) ^^^^^C\ / 10 S

CANADA \^^

22.". irf'^r

19* 8.9 /k/^

UNITED STATES "^^^ ^-^^^^ ^\ 17* I

^—-i^^^ Ruth-

\\ Scobey

5 10

1

' ' 15 KILOMETERS

1

1 "

1 I 5 10 MILES

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

A2-33

ANNEX 3

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD,

POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976)

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*RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the

International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States subject to the

following conditions:

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.

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 fiow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately

preceding March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic

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

cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 acre-feet) shall be

delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12

month period commencing June 1st.

(ii) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately

preceding March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 4,690 cubic

decameters (3.800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters

(7,500 acre-feet),

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

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

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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

(I.O 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.

(ill) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined

below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding

March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500

acre-feet), but does not exceed 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet),

then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic

feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar

River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second

(2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 3 1st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic

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

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

(iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period exceeds 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet) then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through

August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0

cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic

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

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

(c) The natural flow at the International Boundary in each of the remaining

individual tributaries shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow.

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.

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ANNEX 4

CONVERSION FACTORS

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CONVERSION FACTORS

ac = 4,047 m' = 0.04047 ha

ac-ft = 1.233.5 m^= 1.2335 dam'

°C = 5/9(°F-32) cm = 0.3937 in. cm" = 0.155 in'

dam-' = 1 ,000 m' = 0.8 1 07 ac-ft

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10"\V

ha = 10,000 m- = 2.471 ac hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft hm' = l.xlO^m'

I. gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X 10'^ tons km = 0.62137 miles

km- = 0.3861 mi"

L = 0.3532 ft- = 0.2 1 997 1. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal

L/s = 0.035 cfs = 13. 193 1. gpm = 15. 848 U.S. gpm

m = 3.2808 ft m^ = 10.765 ft- m^ = 1.000L = 35.3144ft- =219.97 l.gal= 264.2 U.S. gal

m-Vs = 35.314 cfs mm = 0.00328 ft

tonne = 1 ,000 kg = 1 . 1 023 ton (short)

U.S. gpm = 0.0631 L/s

For Air Samples

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

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