s 

333.91 

M26prar 

1999 



1999 ANNUAL REPORT 

to the 

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION 

MAY 2 3 2001 

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 

1515 E. 6th AVE. 
HELENA. MONTANA 59620 



by the 

POPLAR RIVER 

BILATERAL MONITORING 

COMMITTEE 




'opiar 



COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1999 



November 2000 



3 0864 0015 6017 9 



1999 ANNUAL REPORT 



to the 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN, AND MONTANA 



by the 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 
COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1999 



November, 2000 



Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee 



Department of State 
Washington, D.C., United States 



Governor's Office 
State of Montana 
Helena, Montana, United States 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 



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

Saskatchewan Environment and 
Resource Management 
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 



Herein is the 19"" Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report 
discusses the Committee activities of 1999 and presents the proposed schedule for the year 2000. 

During 1999, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfil the responsibilities 
assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September 
23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, in March 1987, July 1992, and July 1997, the 
Arrangement was extended. The current extension expires in March 2002. 

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 under the 1977 
Reference from Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 1999, 
the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives. The Committee notes 
that the flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solids in streamflow in the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary remains close to the long-term objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per litre, but did not 
exceed the objective in 1 999. The Committee after discussing and reviewing the Water-Quality Objectives 
agreed to suspend monitoring and reporting of several parameters since they were no longer considered 
of concern. The parameters affected are: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total and dissolved 
chromium, mercury in fish, and fecal and total coliform. 

Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an On-Demand release of 370 dam^ (300 
acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir in 1 999. A volume of 1 , 200 dam^ (989 acre-feet) was delivered to the 
United States during this period. In addition, except for a few days in July and August, daily flows in 
1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC. 

During 1999, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 
1992 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. 



Yours sincerely, 

Robert Davis 

Chairman, United States Section 




J^icStults 

Member, United States Section 



Richard Kellow 

Chairman, Canadian Section 

Chuck Bosgoed 

Member, Canadian Section 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Highlights for 1999 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 4 

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 6 

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6 

3.2 East Poplar River 6 

3.2.1 Streamflow 6 

3.2.2 Apportionment 7 

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 7 

3.2.4 On-Demand Release 8 

3.2.5 Water Quality 9 

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 10 

3.2.5.2 Boron 14 

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 17 

3.3 Ground Water 19 

3.3.1 Operations 19 

3.3.2 Ground- Water Levels 21 

^'' 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 21 

3.3.2.2 Montana 23 

3.3.3 Ground- Water Quality 26 

3.3.3. 1 Saskatchewan 26 

3.3.3.2 Montana 30 

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 31 

3.4.1 Storage 31 

3.4.2 Water Quality 33 

3.5 Air Quality 33 

3.6 Quality Control 33 

3.6.1 Streamflow 33 

3.6.2 Water-Quality 34 

ANNEXES 

1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 

Canada-United States Al 

2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical 

Monitoring Schedules, 1 999, Canada-United States A2 

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3 

4.0 Metric Conversions A4 



TABLES 

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 5 

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1999 Sampling 

Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 18 

Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary 

Water Supply Project Wells Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek 26 

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project 

Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 27 

Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1999 31 

Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for July 19,1999 34 

Table 3.6 East Poplar Water-Quality Measurement Results for August 24, 1999 35 

FIGURES 

Figure 3 . 1 Discharge during 1 999 Compared with the Median Discharge for 1 96 1 - 1 990 

for the Poplar River at the International Boundary 6 

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at 

the International Boundary 8 

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9 

Figure 3.4 TDS Concentrations for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 1 1 

Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving, Flow- Weighted TDS Concentration for 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 1 1 

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

Poplar River at the International Boundary 13 

Figure 3.7 Daily TDS Concentration, 1982 to 1999, East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 13 

Figure 3.8 Boron Concentrations for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar 

River at the International Boundary 15 

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

Poplar River at the International Boundary 15 

Figure 3.10 Five- Year Moving, Flow- Weighted Boron Concentration for East 

Poplar River at the International Boundary 16 

Figure 3.11 Daily Boron Concentration, 1982 to 1999 East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 16 

Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 19 

Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Projects 20 

Figure 3.14 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1999 22 

Figure 3.15 Cone of Depression in the Empress Sands Due to the 

Salinity Projects as of December 1999 23 

Figure 3.16 Hydrographs of Selected Wells: Fort Union-Hart Coal Aquifers 24 

Figure 3.17 Hydrographs of Selected Wells: Alluvium and Fox Hills Aquifers 25 

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 30 

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1 999 and Mean Daily 

Monthly Water Levels for 1981-1991 32 



-u 



HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1999 

The Poplar River Power Station completed its sixteenth full year of operation in 1999. The two 300- 
megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,185,100 gross megawatt hours of electricity. The average capacity 
factors for Units No. 1 and 2 was 88.6 percent and 81.1 percent, respectively. The capacity factor is based 
on the maximum generating rating of 305 MW/h for Unit #1, and 310 MW/h for Unit #2. Similar to other 
years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the fall and spring of 1 999. 

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 1 999 was exchanged in the 
spring of 2000. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters met the 
requirements identified in the 1 999 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1 998 annual report. 
In 1999, the Committee also inifiated the Cookson Reservoir Study to investigate the potential salinity 
problems associated with the Reservoir and its impact in the East Poplar River flows downstream. 

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1999 was 
35,440 dam^ (28, 730 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendafions and the assumpfion 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 , 1 999 to August 3 1 , 
1999 and 0.057 mVs (2.0 ft^ /s) for the period of September 1, 1999 to May 31, 2000. The minimum flow of 
0.028 mVs ( 1 .0 ft^ /s) for the period January 1 to May 31,1 999 had previously been determined on the basis 
of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 3 1 , 1998. Except for few days in July and August, daily 
flows in 1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC. 

In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles the United States to an on- 
demand release to be delivered on the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing June 
1 . Based on the runoff volume of 4,420 dam^ (3,580 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International 
Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 1998, the United States was entitled to an additional 
release of 370 dam^ (300 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve month period 
commencing June 1, 1998. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 1999. 
A volume of 1 , 220 dam^ (989 acre-feet) was delivered during this period. 

The 1999 five-year total dissolved solids (TDS) flow- weighted concentrations were below the long-term 
objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly value calculated in 1 999 was just under 
989 mg/L. The gradual increase in five-year flow-weighted concentrations for TDS is due to insufficient 
surface runoff over the long term, which has not allowed for sufficient flushing of Cookson Reservoir. Boron 
concentrations for 1999 continued to remain well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. 



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, 1 980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 
1. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on March 12, 1987, July 1992, and July 18, 1997, the 
Arrangement was extended. The current extension expires in March 2002. 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 forthcoming year. 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 1999, the members of the Committee included: Mr. R. Davis, U.S. Geological Survey, United 
States representative and Cochair; Mr. R. Kellow, Environment Canada, Canadian representative 
and Cochair; Mr. J. Stults, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana 
representative; Mr. C. Bosgoed, 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 3"* and 4"", 1999, 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 1 998 including surface-water quality and quantity, ground- water quality and 
quantity, and air quality; established the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2000; discussed 
proposed changes in water-quality objectives and the possibility of replacing the flow-weighting 
method currently used to compute total dissolved solids and boron. The Committee also prepared the 
first draft of the 1998 annual Report to Governments. 



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 1 99 1 , 
the Committee undertook a review of water-quality objectives. 

The Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the 1 99 1 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. Some of the 
discussions and decisions that were made at this meeting include: Suspending most of the parameters 
that were recommended for discontinuance back in 1991 such as dissolved aluminum, bacteria, pH, 
mercury in fish, and un-ionized ammonia. Canada has expressed concern about the need for the flow- 
weighted boron and TDS objectives given the uncertainty of the scientific validity of how the 
objectives are calculated. 

According to the IJC report titled, "Water-Quality in the Poplar River Basin", the Committee can 
"recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate". After a lengthy discussion, members agreed 
not to remove any objectives at this time. Instead, the Committee decided to suspend the monitoring 
and reporting of several parameters after reviewing the water-quality objectives. The suspended 
parameters are: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total chromium, mercury in fish, fecal 
coliform, and total coliform. In addition, the Committee agreed there was a need to review the flow- 
weighted objectives for Boron and TDS. The Committee also agreed to other minor revisions to the 
water-quality objectives for clarification. For example, changing the designation for pH from "natural" 
to "ambient". 



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



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 1 976. Until 1 991 , 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 1 992 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 1 999 which warranted 
special reporting. 



Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 



PARAMETER 


PRESENT 
OBJECTIVE 


RECOMMENDATION 


NEW OBJECTIVE 


Boron - total 


3.5/2.5' 


Continue as is — re-evaluate 


To be determined 


IDS 


1500/1000' 


Continue as is ~ re-evaluate 


To be determined 


Aluminum, dissolved 


0.1 


Suspend* 


— 


Ammonia, un-ionized 


0.02 


Suspend* 


— 


Cadmium, total 


0.0012 


Continue as is 


0.0012 


Chromium, total 


0.05 


Suspend* 





Copper, dissolved 


0.005 


Suspend* 


— 


Copper, total 


1 


Continue as is 


1 


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 


Suspend* 





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 


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 


30.0' 


pH (units) 


6.5^ 


Continue 


6.5^ 


Coliform(no./100ml) 








Fecal 


2000 


Suspend* 




Total 


20000 


Suspend* 





Units in mg/L except as noted. 

1. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron, < 1,000 
TDS. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentration should be <3.5 boron and <1500 TDS. 

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

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

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



''The term "Discontinue " in Table 2. 1 was replaced with "Suspend" as discussed by the Committee in 1999. 



3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 

In 1999, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 88.6 percent. The average capacity factor for 
Unit No. 2 was 81.1 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generation rating of 

305.0 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 310.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated from both units 
was 4, 1 85, 100 gross megawatt-hours. There were no construction projects undertaken during 1999. 
Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the fall and spring of 1 999. 

3.2 East Poplar River 

3.2.1 Streamflow 

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was well above normal in 1999 due to near-record level snowpack 
in the region. The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an 
indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 38,010 cubic decametres (dam^) (30,830 acre-feet), which was 
377 percent of the 1 93 1 to 1 990 median seasonal flow. A comparison of 1 999 monthly mean discharge 
with the 1931-90 median discharge is shown in Figure 3.1. 




• O--- Med Ian ofMonthly Mean Discharge for 1931-90 
-O— Monthly Mean Discharge for 1999 



. 400 

T3 

. 350 § 

o 

o> 

300 « 
o 
a. 

250 g 
u. 
o 

200 3 

o 

150 .E 

o 
D) 

100 s 

JZ 

o 
50 -^ 



—6 
OCT 



Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1999 as Compared with the Median Discharge from 
1931-1990 for the Poplar River at International Boundary. 



The 1 999 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 26,990 dam^ 
(21,880 acre-feet). This volume is 906 percent 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 recommendation to the Governments of Canada and the United 
States regarding the apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although not officially adopted 
by the two countries, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adhered to the Apportionment 
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 International Boundary from March 1 to May 31,1 999 was 
35,440 dam^ (28,730 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 (mVs) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period June I, 1999 to 
August 31, 1999 and 0.057 mVs (2.0 ftVs) for the period September 1, 1999 to May 31, 2000. The 
minimum flow 0.028 mVs (1.0 ftVs) for the period January 1 to May 31, 1999 had previously been 
determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 1998. 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 1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC throughout the 
year except for July 27 to August 8, August 14-18, and August 21 -26 when daily flows fell slightly below 
the recommended minimum. 



10 



0.1 



0.01 



1 




V\,- .. 


.w>-V^^ 


SJ«'V\^^ ^^^ -V •r--^.,.y^^ 




Apportionment recommendation for minimum flow 



>■>•>• c c -s rs ooia.Q.tjti 5 



«• '« s s 






•k 6 <i>. 






<^ T- CM »- CM 



1999 



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



3.2.4 On-Demand Release 



In addition to the minimum flow, the I JC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on- 
demand release to be delivered on the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing 
June 1 . Based on the runoff volume of 4,420 dam^ (3,580 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at 
International Boundary gauging station during the March 1 to May 31.1 998 period, Montana was 
entitled to an additional release of 370 dam^ (300 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the 
succeeding twelve month period commencing June 1 , 1 998. Montana requested this release to be made 
between May 1 and May 31, 1999. A volume of 1,220 dam^ (989 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. 



1400 



1200 



1120 



960 



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



800 uj 




1999 



Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release. 
3.2.5 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 2.5 
milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 1500 mg/Lfor TDSfor 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 concentration (FWC) for boron and 
total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly monitoring results. Since the 
beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily in the East Poplar River at the 
International boundary, making it possible to derive boron and TDS concentration using a linear 
regression relationship with specific conductance. Thus, the three-month FWC for boron and TDS for 
the period 1 982 to 1 999 was calculated from both the results of monthly monitoring (grab samples 
collected by both Canada and the USA) and the statistical analysis of daily specific conductance 
readings collected by the USGS. 



10 

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 F WC 
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 five 
year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 1999 is calculated from 
data generated over the period December 1993 to December 1999. 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 

TDS is inversely related to streamflow 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 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 1999 are shown in Figure 
3.4. The TDS ranged from 570 mg/L on March 30 to 1 040 mg/L on December 20. The proposed short- 
term objective for TDS is 1500 mg/L. A time plot of the three-month moving FWC for TDS is 
presented in Figure 3.5. 



11 



Figure 3.4: TDS Concentration for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River 
at the International Boundary 



1200 



"a 1000 o 996 #968 



800 
600 
400 
200 



♦ 951 



♦ 808 



♦ 904 ^874 



"♦555^ 



♦ 1Q2Q 



it 1040 



♦ b'/O 



♦ 615 



♦ 691 



CO & 



♦ 7 88 



Figure 3.5: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary 



UOO n 




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i 


b 




( 


r . 






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f>i 


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tl 


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^ii;;j!^drii'rMJ'^i:jid^'dii^iiU 


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V 
















If 








y 


^ 400 










1 






1, 


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1 


1 

200 




1 












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dat 


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OOOODODOO 



OD 00 (O u> u> u> 
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12 

The total dissolved solids objective has not been exceeded during the period of record. On inspection 
of the plot, it is apparent that the three- month moving FWC has been increasing gradually, year by 
year, up until the spring runoff of 1 997, when an exceptionally heavy snowmelt contributed sufficient 
water of low ionic strength to the river and the reservoir to dilute the accumulated salts built up in the 
system. Dissolved solids declined slightly in 1998 and remained lower in 1999. 

The five-year moving FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective of 1000 
mg/L in 1 999. The maximum monthly value calculated in 1 999 was just under 989 mg/L, which is less 
than the previous year maximum monthly value of 1014 mg/L. 

The daily TDS values, as generated by linear regression from the daily specific conductance readings 
from 1989 to 1 999 are shown in Figure 3.7. The data show an abrupt drop in TDS corresponding to the 
snowmelt runoff occurring during the spring of each year. 

The relationship between TDS and specific conductance applied to data collected from 1975 to 1999 
is as follows: 

TDS = (0.626 X specific conductance) + 31.542 
(R^ = 0.85, n = 555) 



13 





Figure 3,6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary 




Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 
o o o o o c 

3 O O O O O C 






















































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/ 








































1— 


— 


















































































































































c 
J 


: 1 si sl [^1 sl s| §1 sl g| s| s| s| g| fe| §1 §1 §1 sl al g| s| s 1 $1 fe| §1 §! ^ 

3 
> 



Figure 3.7; Daily TDS Concentration, 1989 to 1999; East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary (regression-derived data) 




Dec-89 Dec-90 Dec-91 Dec-92 Dec-93 Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 



14 
3.2.5.2 Boron 

Figure 3.8 shows that during 1999, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary varied from 0.90 (March 30 and May 18) to 1.86 mg/L (December 20). 

The three-month moving FWC for boron for the period of record is shown in Figure 3.9. The short- 
term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded over the period 1975 to 1999. 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 suggests that the regression generation 
of boron and TDS values is, in general terms, a valid procedure despite problems which arise from 
attempting to generate representative concentration and flow data for an entire month, based on a 
limited number of samples. 

The five-year moving FWC for boron displayed in Figure 3.10 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 the 
computed boron concentrations. 

It is apparent that TDS is better-correlated with specific conductance than is boron. 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) in ground water discharge may be greater than that of the 
major cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and anions (sulphate, bicarbonate, and chloride) around 
their respective long-term mean concentrations. Daily boron concentrations for the period December 
1988 to December 1999 are shown in Figure 3.11. 

The relationship between boron and specific conductance at the East Poplar River sampling location 
during the period 1975 to 1999 is described by the equation: 

boron = (0.0013 x specific conductance) - 0.034 
(R^ = 0.58, n = 555) 



15 



Figure 3.8: Boron Concentration for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary 



2.2 



1.8 



i 



♦ 1.74 



♦ 1.75 



♦ i « i ♦ i. a 



< ► 1 .86 



1.6<M-61. 



♦ 1. 6 



♦ 1.64 



♦ 1.5 



♦ 1.29 



1.2 



0.8 



♦ 1.15 



♦ 0.90 ♦ 0.9 



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



3 . 



2.5 




<o (b n o> f& <b 



-Grab sample derived data 
■Regression derived data 



O o o o 



o» to o -» 



CO 00 OS 09 » W 



n(9ttn(b(b<btb(b(b(t(0(b 

"OOOOOOOOOOO 

<DO-'row4koia>-joo«> 



16 



2 n 

1.8 

1 n ■ 


Figure 3. 1 0: Five- Year Moving Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar 
River at the International Boundary 






































1^ 




-y-j 


^ 


~i 










I 






































1 










-^ — 


'''- 


v_ 


-^_ 


5 I* 

f 1.2 
o 
^ 1 

■D 

1 °-^ 

1 0.6 
0.4 
0.2 
■ 






























r 






J 
































(^ 
















































K^ 


-V 


J 












^ 


1 








































— 


. 


















































































































































































































































1 


. ^ 1^ TM f:i? t^J? r-i? t^i? 00.^ coW mw ooTM 5Jo toJ? mJ« Si? SJ« STM o5i5 oTM SJ^ cni^ mjo mJ? o>« STM o>.^ S , 

i • 



Figure 3. 1 1 : Daily Boron Concentration, 1 989 to 1 999; East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary (regression-derived data) 



3.00 



2.50 



0.00 




Dec-88 Dec-89 Dec-90 Dec-91 Dec-92 Dec-93 Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 



17 
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 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, with the exception of dissolved 
oxygen which exceeded the objective once in January. Dissolved-oxygen concentration can be low 
during winter as a result of ice cover and during low-flow conditions in summer as a result of biological 
activity. 



18 

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1999 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 recommended by IJC to Governments 


Boron - dissolved 


3.5/2.5(1) 


6 


7 





Total Dissolved Solids 


1500/1000(1) 


6 


7 


Fig3.5&3.6 


Objectives recommended by Poplar River Board to the IJC 


Ammonia unionized (as N) 


0.2 


6 


7 





Cadmium - total 


0.0012 


2 


7 





Copper - total 


1.0 


2 


7 





Fluoride - dissolved 


1-5 


6 


7 





Lead - total 


0.03 


2 


7 





Mercury - total 


0.0002 


1 


7 





Nitrate (as N) 


10.0 


6 


7 





Oxygen - dissolved 


4.0/5.0 (2) 


6 


7 


1 


Sodium absorption ratio 


10.0 


6 








Sulphate - dissolved 


800.0 


6 


7 





Zinc - total 


0.03 


1 


7 





Water temperature (Celsius) 


30.0(3) 


6 


7 





pH (pH units) 


6.5 (4) 


6 


7 





1. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3.5 mg/L boron and <1500 mg/L TDS. Five -year average of 
flow-weighted concentrations (March to October should be <2.5 mg/L boron and < 1000 mg/L TDS. 

2. 5.0 (minimum April lOtoMay 15), 4.0 (minimum, remainder of the year) 

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

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





19 
3.3 Ground-water 

3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan 

SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 1999, with the majority of ground- 
water production occurring during the fall to spring period. This is a typical operational pattern for the 
project and is done to minimize water losses. Limited production occurs during the summer months 
in order to supply domestic users, including the Town of Coronach. In 1999, the project produced a 
total of 4,410 cubic decameters (dam^) of ground water. This is lower than the 1998 production of 
5,006 dam-' and the average 1991 to 1999 production rate of 5,279 dam^ per year. Prior to 1990 the 
wells used for the supplementary supply were part of a dewatering network for coal mining operations, 
which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid 1 980's. With the drought 
of the late 1980's and early 1990's it was evident that there was a continued need for ground water to 
supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently the wells were taken over by SaskPower 
for use as a supplementary supply. Figure 3.12 shows the historical pumpage volume since 1976. 



Poplar River Power Station 

Supplementary Supply 



10000 



8000 



6000 



4000 



2000 




Year 



Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 



20 

SaskPower has an approval for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of 5,500 
damVyear. This approval was extended by Sask Water in 1996. Future revisions to the approval will 
likely include conditions requiring termination of pumping (with the exception of wells supplying 
domestic users) when the reservoir is above a specified level. Sask Water is currently undertaking a 
hydrology study to determine the best reservoir level for a ground-water pumping cutoff. SaskPower's 
supplementary supply well network currently consists of 21 wells with a total of 10 discharge points. 
No wells were added to or deleted from the well field during the year. 

In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates what is known as the Soil Salinity 
Project, which is located south of Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil 
salinity which had developed below the dam. The salinity project consists of a network of production 
wells which discharge into the cooling water canal, which in turn discharges to Cookson Reservoir. 
Operation of the salinity project continued in 1999 with production of 881.1 dam^ of ground water. 
This was above the 1998 production level of 767.2 dam\ and slightly below the project's average 
annual production of 910 damVyear from inception of the project in 1990 to 1998. 

Approximately 7 1 % of the total volume pumped came from wells P W87 1 03 and P W87 1 04 which are 
located on the east side of the river and most of the remainder (29%) was produced from PW90109 on 
the west side of the river. Figure 3.13 shows the pumpage volume from the Salinity Control Project. 



Poplar River Power Station 

Salinity Project 




1^ 19B7 1^ 



Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Project 



21 
3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 

In 1996 nineteen new piezometers were installed in the Hart Coal Seam and a further eighteen 
piezometers from the Frenchmen aquifer testing program were added to the supplementary supply 
monitoring network that year. With these extensive additions, no new piezometers have been added 
to the monitoring network since that time. Currently, about 1 80 piezometers are monitored as part of 
this project. Figure 3.14 shows the December 1999 drawdowns of the Hart Coal Seam. There were 
no significant changes in the magnitude and extent of drawdowns from previous years. The one meter 
drawdown contour currently remains about two kilometers north of international boundary. There have 
not been significant changes in the cone of depression for the past several years suggesting that the 
system has approached a semi-equilibrium condition. However, minor drawdown fluctuations in 
response to climatic and production variations can be expected. 

The goal of the Salinity Project is to lower ground-water levels in the Empress Sands below Morrison 
Dam to approximately pre-reservoir levels. This is equivalent to roughly two to three metres of 
drawdown, and was achieved by the end of 1995 and again by the end of 1996. However, reduced 
production over the past four years and increased recharge from higher reservoir levels and 
precipitation have led to a significant contraction in the project's cone of depression. One-meter 
drawdown cones are now restricted to the area around PW87103 and PW87104 on the east side of the 
river and the immediate vicinity of PW90 1 09 on the west side. Figure 3.15 shows the December 1 999 
drawdowns. 

Increased salinity in the project area has resulted in questions as to whether the current project design 
is sufficient to control salinity. SaskPower conducted a study of the salinity project which has provided 
recommendations for a long-term solution for the operation of the project. SaskPower expects to 
provide a recommended course of action in 2000. 




contour intervals in meters 



Figure 3.14 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1999 



24 



3.3.2.2 Montana 



Water-levels in monitoring wells (6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 22) that penetrate the Fort Union 
Formation and/or Hart Coal Seam were rising during 1 997 and 1 998, and have leveled off or dropped 
slightly during 1 999. Hydrographs of selected Fort Union/Hart Coal wells (6, 7, 1 7, and 1 9) are shown 
in Figure 3.16. 



Hydrograph of Selected Wells 

Fort Union - Hart Coal Aquifers 
?2460 



::'2458 
g 2456 
•2 2454 

cd 

I 2452 
I 2450 

CO 

-g 2448 

Hi 

I 2446 





1 
1 


1 

1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 
1 






=Km 


A..t. 


1 


1 


1 






f^^ 


% 


1 


1 


^5^ 






1 

1 


1 ^* 
1 


^'^^ 


F W4 1^ 


Z Ul 






1 


1 


1 


Vlcl ^ 


1 






1 


J^ 


1 


1 


h p- 






7-. 


'"vfv,^ 


^"\i 


1 

1 ^J\ ^ 


a^n: 




1 • 


1 
1 


1 
1 


1 


v[£5C 


2aU1 


V 


" f^ 


\\\ t 


^4. 


1 


rl ' 


*\' \ 




S-v 


V 


r ' 


1 


T£7g 


" ^ 


-m 


"[/■J 


^liX; 




N/, 


1 J\ 


-^ 1 




'' 1 


1 




l^^t 


r^'% 


1 




1 


1 


1 


1 


tar ^ 


1 




1 


1 


1 


1 


1 


1 



17 



19 



Jan-79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan-03 

Date 



Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Fort Union-Hart Coal Aquifers 



25 

The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills / Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 1 1 ) has shown very little 
fluctuation or change throughout the 21 year (1979-1999) monitoring period. 

Water levels in monitoring wells (5, 8, 10, 23, and 24) that penetrate the alluvial and / or outwash 
aquifer show considerable fluctuation due to seasonal and / or pumping changes; however, they rose 
during the period 1996 to 1998 and leveled off during 1999. Hydrographs of selected alluvial wells 
(10, 23, and 24) and Fox Hills well (1 1) are shown in Figure 3.17. 



OA'XA 


Hydrograph of Selected Wells 

Alluvium and Fox Hills Aquifers 




|2432- 
1 2430 - 
1 2428 \ 
|2426- 
fe 2424- 
|2422- 
i2420- 
6 






1 




1 




1 






















A 

10 

11 

23 
24 

-03 


\ 


r^ 


-^^ 




1 


f*M 


vi 
























V 


'^ 




-^|'V 




w 


^ 


■^ 1 








f 1 


A 


l\ 










1 




1 




1 




w 




\ 




/|. 


/\ 


\\ 










1 

1 




1 

1 




1 

1 




h 




A 




' 


k 


l| 










1 




1 




1 




\\ 


^ 


k\ 


r 


1 














1 
1 




1 
1 




1 
1 










I 


1 














1 




1 




1 


























1 
1 




1 
1 




1 

1 


























1 




1 




1 














h 


/( ' 






% 




1 

••1 ipt. 




1 

1 




1 








1 




j<^ 


1' 


fi 










'[I 




vJv, 




I'" 


V 


^W 


Vr 


T*! V 


r» 


ij^ 


7 


» 










1 




1 




1 




1 ^ 

1 ~^ 


^ 


ATv 




L \ 


r 












1 




1 




1 












1 














1 




1 




1 


























1 

i 




1 

1 




1 

.J 








1 














Z^ 1 ^ 

Jan 


-79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan 

Date 



Figure 3.17 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Aliuvium and Fox Hills Aquifers 



26 



3.3.3 Ground- Water Quality 



3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 



The water quality from the Supplementary Supply Project discharge points has been consistent with 
no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters during 1999 is provided in 
Table 3.2. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are included in this table. 



TABLE 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from 
Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells* 





1992 to 1999 
Average 


1999 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.5 


7.2 


Conductivity (ms/cm) 


1417 


1427 


Total Dissolved Solids 


971 


998 


Total Suspended Solids 


2.1 


6.4 


Boron 


1.6 


1.8 


Sodium 


184 


195 


Cyanide (ug/L) 


<2 


<2 


Iron 


0.6 


0.6 


Manganese 


0.2 


0.2 


Mercury (ug/L) 


<0.1 


<0.1 


Calcium 


82 


84 


Magnesium 


52 


52 


Sulfate 


240 


222 


Nitrate 


0.22 


0.367 



All units mg/L unless otherwise noted. * Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek. 



27 

The water quality of the common discharge point from the Salinity Control Project wells is generally 
better than the water quality in Cookson Reservoir. The TDS concentration was larger at the discharge 
point than in the reservoir in 1999. Average results from the common discharge point for 1999, and 
the average of the 1992-1999 results are provided in Table 3.3. Results have remained relatively 
consistent since 1992. 



TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity 
Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe* 





1992-1999 

Average 


1999 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.4 


7.4 


Conductivity (ms/cm) 


1418 


1428 


Total Dissolved Solids 


976 


1016 


Boron 


1.6 


1.6 


Calcium 


103 


114 


Magnesium 


60 


66 


Sodium 


148 


142 


Potassium 


7.4 


7.4 


Arsenic (ug/L) 


6.8 


0.2 


Aluminum 


0.07 


0.04 


Barium 


0.03 


0.02 


Cadmium 


<0.001 


<0.001 


Iron 


4.2 


3.8 


Manganese 


0.14 


0.13 


Molybdenum 


0.002 


0.005 


Strontium 


1.9 


1.7 


Vanadium 


0.003 


0.01 


Uranium (ug/L) 


<0.1 


0.1 


Mercury (ug/L) 


0.12 


N/A 


Sulfate 


318 


329 


Chloride 


6.0 


6.7 


Nitrate 


0.13 


<0.003 



*A11 concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted. 



28 

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 assess leachate movement. 

The ground-water monitoring program was expanded in 1 994 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 1 995. The limited data so 
far do not show any unusual or unexpected values. 

Piezometers C867A, C868A and C87 1 A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the 
ash stack of Ash Lagoon # 1 . The 1 999 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 expected to differ from the 
chemistry of surface water in the lagoons. Meaningfiil information is only available from piezometers 
installed within Ash Lagoon #1 where ash has been deposited for many years. New piezometers 
C886A, C887A, C890A and C893A 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. The mound extends from the west side of the polishing pond 
to the east side of Ash Lagoon No. 2. Isolated ground- water mounds have developed within the area 
of the oxidized ground-water moimd. 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 levels do not automatically 
suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric levels do suggest 



29 

ground-water movement. Oxidized till piezometers C868B and C869B located in the middle of the 
lagoons, between Ash Lagoon No.l and No. 2, have shown increased levels but no chemical 
information to suggest leachate influence. On the west side of the polishing pond, the boron levels 
have changed slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, which is in sharp contrast 
to the chloride results. 

The chloride level for C728A has decreased from 403 mg/1 in 1983 to 247 mg/1 in 1999, a decrease of 
156 mg/1. The chloride level for C728D has increased, moving from 185 mg/1 in 1983 to 421 mg/1 in 
1 999. 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 gravels 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 obvious seepage activity with the majority of the 
analyses showing little real change in boron or chloride results. 

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 of boron concentrations. C766 shows an increasing trend up to October 1988 
with a peak of 43.0 mg/1 in 1995 April. Since that time the boron levels have declined modestly and 
have remained stable between 25 to 35 mg/1. 

Up to April 1 988 the boron concentration for C767 was increasing and peaked at 49.4 mg/1. Since this 
peak, the boron concentration steadily decreased to the end of 1991 where the concentration levelled 
off near 5 mg/1 and has since remained. 

Piezometer C712B had been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels have been below 
1 mg/1. From 1992 to 1999 boron levels have remained steady around 20 mg/1. Up to 1992 April the 
boron trends for C712B and C766 looked very similar. 



30 

The total calculated seepage from the ash lagoons in 1999 was determined to be 1 .70 litres per second. 
There has been little change in the individual seepage rate, or the vertical and horizontal components 
that make up the total seepage rates, from 1 992. This was expected because there has been little 
change in the operating levels of the lagoons over the last several years. 

3.3.3.2 Montana 



Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 1 6, and 24 during 1 999. Well 7 is completed in Hart 
Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. No 
significant changes in TDS were observed in monitoring well 16. The TDS in the Hart Coal (well 7) 
and the alluvial aquifer (well 24), however, increased about 100 mg/L during the years 1996 through 
1998, but decreased about 50-70 mg/L during 1999. Graphs of total dissolved solids for selected 
wells are shown in Figure 3.18. 



pnn 


Total Dissolved Solids 




ouu 

700- 
^600- 
^ 500- 

400- 


















1 
1 








1 
1 










-03 












T 


\ 1 




1 

1 








1 

1 






















\ 




1 
1 








\r 


^ 


\ 1 


















IV 




1 
1 • 






■^ 


J, 




H 








• 


















\ 


1 


--ff 




-▼ 


-^ 


N, 


] 








i^ 


\ 1 












1 

1 








1 
1 




^▼i 










^ 


r- 


"i^ 


^ 


r-H 


\ 


1 
^ 


-1 


\f 




tT 


^ 






















\ 


1 




y/ 


\ 


l\ 




^ 






















1 
1 




4 


)i 


1 
1 


























1 

1 




1 
1 




1 
1 










Jan 


-79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan 

Date 

-•- GWQQC07 -▼- GWQQC16 -•- GWQQC24 



Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells. 



31 
3.4 Cookson Reservoir 

3.4.1 Storage 

On January 1 , 1 999, Cookson Reservoir storage was 37 690 dam^ or 85% of the full supply volume. The 
1999 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.4. The reservoir 
filled above its Full Supply Level (FSL) in late March. Inflows into the reservoir maintained levels 
slightly above FSL throughout the spring and early summer time period. The spring spill from the 
reservoir was adequate to meet the recommended Polar River basin demand release for the 1998-1999 
apportionment year. A small release was required from the reservoir during late summer, to help ensure 
Saskatchewan maintained the flows at the international boundary near the recommended apportionment 
target flow. 

In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by ground-water pumping. Wells in the abandoned 
west block mine site supplied 4,410 dam^ to Girard Creek in 1999. It is estimated that less than 70% 
of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 88 1 dam^ 
in 1999. 

Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1999 



Date 


Elevation 

(m) 


Contents 
(dam^) 


January 1 (Minimum) 


752.24 


37 690 


March 27 (Maximum) 


753.39 


46 590 


December 3 1 


752.30 


38 130 


Full Supply Level 


753.00 


43 410 



32 

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 metres. The dead storage level 
for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 metres. The 1 999 recorded water levels and 
associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19. 

1999 Cookson Reservoir 
Daily Mean Water Levels 



Elevation in 
Meters 



755 



753 



751 



749 



747 



745 



743 



741 



Contents in 
Cubic Decammeters 



t 



Full Supply Level 



1 999 Recorded 



..^- 



Median Level 



Minimum Desired Operating Level 



Minimum Useable Storage Level 



29400 



19100 



11400 



5860 



2000 



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



Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1999 

and Median Monthly Water levels 1981-1991 



33 
3.4.2 Water Quality 

The period from 1987 to 1993 saw very low volumes of surface water runoff to Cookson Reservoir. 
Consequently, total dissolved solids (TDS) in the reservoir increased steadily from about 780 mg/1 to 
over 1800 mg/1. Since 1993, higher than normal runoff volumes have markedly improved reservoir 
water quality. Reservoir TDS levels have generally been less than 1000 mg/1 since 1997. The average 
TDS in Cookson Reservoir in 1999 was 683 mg/1, the lowest it has been in over 10 years. 



3.5 Air Quality 

SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 1999 recorded no violations of SERM's hourly and 24-hour 
average standards at 0.17 and 0.06 ppm, respectively. Readings from the ambient sulfur dioxide 
monitor continue to be infrequent and of insignificant magnitude. The 1999 geometric mean for the 
high- volume suspended particulate sampler was 1 7.7 [ig/m^ and this is the seventh consecutive year of 
below average particulate readings. 

3.6 Quality Control 



3.6.1 Streamflow 

Current-meter discharge measurements were made at the East Poplar River at International Boundary 
site on July 1 9, 1 999 by personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Environment Canada 
(EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability. Data from the two current-meter discharge 
measurements are shown in Table 3.5 . The measured discharges were nearly identical and also 
compared very well with the theoretical discharge computation of 0. 1 03 mVs for the 90° V-notch weir. 



34 



Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for July 19, 1999 



Agency 


Time 
CST 


Width 
(m) 


Mean 
Area 


Velocity 
(m/s) 


Gauge 

Height 

(m) 


Discharge 
(mVs) 


EC 


1205 


3.3 


0.373 


0.26 


1.664 


0.097 


USGS 


1130 


3.4 


0.38 


0.271 


1.664 


0.103 



3.6.2 Water Quality 

Quality control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at International Boundary on August 
24, 1999. Participating agencies included the U.S. Geological Survey, Environment Canada, and 
SaskPower Corporation. 



Sets of triplicate samples were split from U.S. Geological Survey sampling chums and submitted to the 
respective agency laboratories for analyses. Field procedures were identical to those used since 1986. 
Table 3.6 shows results of the joint water-quality measurements carried out on August 24, 1999. 





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H 



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. 

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-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 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. 



Al-3 



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-4 



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-5 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 

1999 

CANADA-UNITED STATES 



A2- 1 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PREAMBLE A2 - 3 

CANADA 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 5 

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 7 

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 

WATER LEVEL A2 - 14 

WATER-QUALITY A2 - 2 1 

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30 

UNITED STATES 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 33 

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 35 

GROUND- WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 37 

GROUND- WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 39 

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 
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 
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 

1999 

CANADA 



) A2 - 4 

I 



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 


*1 


11AE003 
(06178500) 


East Poplar River at International 
Boundary 


2 


***11AE013 


Cookson Reservoir near 
Coronach 


3 


***11AE015 


Girard Creek near Coronach 
Cookson Reservoir 


4 


***11AE014 


East Poplar River above Cookson 
Reservoir 


5 




**Fife Lake Overflow 


*6 


11AE008 
(06178000) 


Poplar River at International 
Boundary 



* - International gauging station 

** - 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 




lO Miitt 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) 



A2-6 



SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY 



Sampling Locations 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management* | 


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 



Data collected by SaskPower 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 


No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name 


6 


00SA11AE0008 


East Poplar River at International Boundary 



A2-7 



PARAMETERS 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 


NAQUADAT* 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Sampling Frequency 
Station No. 6 


Code 








10151 


Alkalinity-phenolphthalein 


Polentiometric Titration 


BM 


10111 


Alkalinily-tolal 


Potentiometric Titration 


BM 


13102 


Aluminum-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


13302 


Aluminum-extracted 


AA-Direct 


BM 


07570 


Ammonia-free 


Calculated 


BM 


07540 


Ammonia-total 


Automated Colourimelric 


BM 


33108 


Arsenic-dissolved 


ICAP-hydride 


BM 


56001 


Barium-total 


AA-Direct 


BM 


06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 


BM 


05211 


Boron-dissolved 


ICAP 


BM 


96360 


Bromoxynil 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


48002 


Cadmium-total 


AA Solvent Extraction 


BM 


20103 


Calcium 


AA-Direcl 


BM 


06104 


Carbon-dissolved organic 


Automated IR Detection 


BM 


06901 


Carbon-particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


BM 


06002 


Carbon-total organic 


Calculated 


BM 


06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


BM 


17206 


Chloride 


Automated Colourimelric 


BM 


06717 


Chlorophyll a 


Spectrophotometric 


BM 


24003 


Chromium-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


27002 


Cobalt-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


36012 


Coliform-fecal 


Membrane Filtration 


BM 


36002 


Colifonn-total 


Membrane Filtration 


BM 


02021 


Colour 


Comparator 


BM 


02041 


Conductivity 


Wheatslone Bridge 


BM 


29005 


Copper-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


06610 


Cyanide 


Automated UV-Colourimelric 


BM 


09117 


Fluoride-dissolved 


Eleclrometric 


BM 


06401 


Free Carbon Dioxide 


Calculated 


BM 


10602 


Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


17811 


Hexachlorobenzene 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


08501 


Hydroxide 


Calculated 


BM 1 


26104 


Iron-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM I 


82002 


Lead-total 


AA-Solvent Extraction 


BM 


12102 


Magnesium 


AA-Direct 


BM 


25104 


Manganese-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


80011 


Mercury-total 


Flameless AA 


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-Carbonate Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


18XXX 


Organo Chlorines 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


08101 


Oxygen-dissolved 


Winkler 


BM 


15901 


P-particulate 


Calculated 


BM 


15465 


P-lotal dissolved 


Automated Colourimetric 


BM 


185XX 


Phenoxy Herbicides 


Gas Chromatography 


BM 


15423 


Phosphorus-total 


Colourimetric (TRAACS) 


BM 


19103 


Potassium 


Flame Emission 


BM 


11250 


Percent Sodium 


Calculated 


BM 


00210 


Saturation Index 


Calculated 


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 


Nephelometry 


BM 


23002 


Vanadium-total 


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 UV - Ultraviolet 

NFR - Nonfilterable Residue MC - Monthly Composite BM - Bimonthly (Alternate months sampled by U.S.G.S.) 

ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. 



A2-8 



^ 




LEGEND: 

^ CNVAOMCICT tAtKATCHCWAN 
■ CNVMOMMCNT CAflAM 



SCALE 



I5 Km 



S lO Miict 

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) 



A2-9 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN 
DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 





Responsible 


Agency: Sask Water* 






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) 



Data Collected by: SaskPower 



A2-10 



r 




lO Miles 



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 


C525 


Empress 


C526 


Empress 


C527 


Empress 


C528 


Oxidized 


C539 


Empress 


C540 


Empress 


C737 


Empress 


C739 


Empress 


C740 


Empress 


C741 


Empress 


C743 


Empress 


C746 


Mottled Till 


C747 


Mottled Till 


C748 


Mottled Till 


C756 


Empress 



water levels measured quarterly 



SPC Piezometer 
Number 


Completion 
Formation 


C739 


Empress 



samples collected annually 
A2- 12 




o " 


vD 




<] M 


ID 
U 






<] 




r-~ 




W1 


u 




i. 


<] 




Op 

e 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C529 


Empress 


C532 


Empress 


C533 


Empress 


C534 


Oxidized Till 


C535 


Empress 


C536 


Empress 


C537 


Empress 


C538 


Empress 


C542 


Empress 


C653A 


Unoxidized Till 


C654 


Unoxidized Till 


C655A 


Unoxidized Till 


C655B 


Unoxidized Till 


C711 


Oxidized Till 


C712A 


Unoxidized Till 


C712B 


Intra Till Sand 


C7I2C 


Mottled Till 


C712D 


Oxidized till 


C713E 


Oxidized Till 


C714A 


Unoxidized Till 


C714B 


Mottled Till 


C714C 


Oxidized Till 



A2- 14 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C714D 


Oxidized Till 


C714 


Empress 


C715 


Oxidized Till 


C716 


Oxidized Till 


C717 


Oxidized Till 


C718 


Mottled Till 


C719 


Oxidized Till 


C720 


Oxidized Till 


C721 


Oxidized Till 


C722 


Oxidized Till 


C723 


Oxidized Till 


C724 


Mottled Till 


C725 


Oxidized Till 


C726A 


Oxidized Till 


C726B 


Mottled Till 


C726C 


Oxidized Till 


C726D 


Empress 


C727A 


Unoxidized Till 


C727B 


Mottled Till 


C727C 


Oxidized Till 


C728A 


Oxidized Till 


C728B 


Unoxidized Till 



A2- 15 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C728C 


Mottled Till 


C728D 


Oxidized Till 


C728 


Empress 


C731 


Empress 


C732 


Empress 


C733 


Empress 


C734 


Empress 


C742 


Empress 


C745 


Oxidized Till 


C749 


Mottled Till 


C750 


Unoxidized Till 


C751 


Unoxidized Till 


C752 


Unoxidized Till 


C753 


Oxidized Till 


C757 


Unoxidized Till 


C758 


Intra Till Sand 


C763A 


Mottled Till 


C763B 


Oxidized Till 


C763C 


Mottled Till 


C763D 


Unoxidized Till 


C763A 


Empress 


C764B 


Mottled Till 



A2- 16 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C764C 


Oxidized Till 


C764D 


Unoxidized Till 


C764E 


Empress 


C765A 


Empress 


C765B 


Unoxidized Till 


C765C 


Oxidized Till 


C765D 


Oxidized Till 


C765E 


Mottled Till 


C766A 


Empress 


C766 


Intra Till Sand 


C767A 


Empress 


C767B 


Unoxidized Till 


C767 


Intra Till Sand 


C768A 


Empress 


C768B 


Unoxidized Till 


C768C 


Oxidized Till 


C775A 


Oxidized Till 


C775C 


Unoxidized Till 


C776A 


Oxidized Till 


C776B 


Oxidized Till 


C867A 


Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon # 1 


C867B 


Oxidized Till 



A2- 17 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C867C 


Unoxidized Til! 


C868A 


Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon # 1 


C868B 


Oxidized Till 


C868C 


Unoxidized Till 


C869B 


Oxidized Till 


C869C 


Unoxidized Till 


C870E 


Empress 


C871A 


Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon #1 


C871B 


Oxidized Till 


C871C 


Unoxidized Till 


C872B 


Oxidized Till 


C872C 


Unoxidized Till 


C873E 


Empress 


C885B 


Oxidized Till 


C885C 


Oxidized Till 


C885D 


Unoxidized Till 


C885E 


Empress 


C886A 


Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South 


C886B 


Oxidized Till 


C886C 


Oxidized Till 


C886D 


Unoxidized Till 


C886E 


Empress 



A2- 18 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C887A 


Asli Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South 


C887B 


Oxidized Till 


C887C 


Oxidized Till 


C887D 


Unoxidized Till 


C887E 


Empress 


C888B 


Oxidized Till 


C888C 


Oxidized Till 


C888D 


Unoxidized Till 


C888E 


Empress 


C889B 


Oxidized Till 


C889C 


Oxidized Till 


C889D 


Unoxidized Till 


C889E 


Empress 


C890A 


Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South 


C890B 


Oxidized Till 


C890C 


Oxidized Till 


C890D 


Unoxidized Till 


C890E 


Empress 


C891B 


Oxidized Till 


C891C 


Oxidized Till 


C891D 


Unoxidized Till 


C891E 


Empress 



A2- 19 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C892B 


Oxidized Till 


C892C 


Oxidized Till 


C892D 


Unoxidized Till 


C892C 


Empress 


C893A 


Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South 


C893B 


Oxidized Till 


C893C 


Oxidized Till 


C893D 


Unoxidized Till 


C893E 


Empress 


C894B 


Oxidized Till 


C894C 


Oxidized Till 


C894D 


Unoxidized Till 


C894E 


Empress 


C895B 


Oxidized Till 


C895C 


Oxidized Till 


C895D 


Unoxidized Till 


C895E 


Empress 



Water levels measured quarterly 



A2-20 



GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY 
Responsible Agency: SERM 
Data Collected by: SaskPower 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C529 


Empress 


C532 


Empress 


C533 


Empress 


C534 


Oxidized Till 


C535 


Empress 


C536 


Empress 


C537 


Empress 


C538 


Empress 


C542 


Empress 


C653A 


Unoxidized Till 


C654 


Unoxidized Till 


C655A 


Unoxidized Till 


C655B 


Unoxidized Till 


C7I1 


Oxidized Till 


C712A 


Unoxidized Till 


C712B 


Intra Till Sand 


C712C 


Mottled Till 


C712D 


Oxidized till 


C713 


Oxidized Till 


C714A 


Unoxidized Till 


C714B 


Mottled Till 



A2-21 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C714C 


Oxidized Till 


C714D 


Oxidized Till 


C714E 


Empress 


C715 


Oxidized Till 


C716 


Oxidized Till 


C717 


Oxidized Till 


C718 


Mottled Till 


C719 


Oxidized Till 


C720 


Oxidized Till 


C721 


Oxidized Till 


C722 


Oxidized Till 


C723 


Oxidized Till 


C724 


Mottled Till 


C725 


Oxidized Till 


C726A 


Oxidized Till 


C726B 


Mottled Till 


C726C 


Oxidized Till 


C726E 


Empress 


C727A 


Unoxidized Till 


C727B 


Mottled Till 


C727C 


Oxidized Till 



A2-22 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C728A 


Oxidized Till 


C728B 


Unoxidized Till 


C728C 


Mottled Till 


C728D 


Oxidized Till 


C728E 


Empress 


C731 


Empress 


C732 


Empress 


C733 


Empress 


C734 


Empress 


C742 


Empress 


C745 


Oxidized Till 


C749 


Mottled Till 


C750 


Unoxidized Till 


C751 


Unoxidized Till 


C752 


Unoxidized Till 


C753 


Oxidized Till 


C757 


Unoxidized Till 


C758 


Intra Till Sand 


C763A 


Mottled Till 


C763B 


Oxidized Till 


C763C 


Mottled Till 



A2-23 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C763D 


Unoxidized Till 


C763E 


Empress 


C764B 


Mottled Till 


C764C 


Oxidized Till 


C764D 


Unoxidized Till 


C764E 


Empress 


C765A 


Empress 


C765B 


Unoxidized Till 


C765C 


Oxidized Till 


C765D 


Oxidized Till 


C765E 


Mottled Till 


C766A 


Empress 


C766B 


Intra Till Sand 


C767A 


Empress 


C767B 


Unoxidized Till 


C767C 


Intra Till Sand 


C768A 


Empress 


C768B 


Unoxidized Till 


C768C 


Oxidized Till 


C775A 


Oxidized Till 


C775C 


Unoxidized Till 



A2-24 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C776A 


Oxidized Till 


C776B 


Oxidized Till 


C867B 


Oxidized Till 


C867C 


Unoxidized Till 


C868B 


Oxidized Till 


C868C 


Unoxidized Till 


C869B 


Oxidized Till 


C869C 


Unoxidized Till 


C870A 


Empress 


C871B 


Oxidized Till 


C871C 


Unoxidized Till 


C872B 


Oxidized Till 


C872C 


Unoxidized Till 


C873A 


Empress 


C885B 


Oxidized Till 


C885C 


Oxidized Till 


C885D 


Unoxidized Till 


C885E 


Empress 


C886A 


Ash Stack 


C886B 


Oxidized Till 


C886C 


Oxidized Till 



A2-25 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C886D 


Unoxidized Till 


C886E 


Empress 


C887B 


Oxidized Till 


C887C 


Oxidized Till 


C887D 


Unoxidized Till 


C887E 


Empress 


C888B 


Oxidized Till 


C888C 


Oxidized Till 


C888D 


Unoxidized Till 


C888E 


Empress 


C889B 


Oxidized Till 


C889C 


Oxidized Till 


C889D 


Unoxidized Till 


C889E 


Empress 


C890B 


Oxidized Till 


C890C 


Oxidized Till 


C890D 


Unoxidized Till 


C890E 


Empress 


C891B 


Oxidized Till 


891C 


Oxidized Till 


C891D 


Unoxidized Till 



A2-26 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


C891E 


Empress 


C892B 


Oxidized Till 


C892C 


Oxidized Till 


C892D 


Unoxidized Till 


C892C 


Empress 


C893B 


Oxidized Till 


C893C 


Oxidized Till 


C893D 


Unoxidized Till 


C893E 


Empress 


C894B 


Oxidized Till 


C894C 


Oxidized Till 


C894D 


Unoxidized Till 


C894E 


Empress 


C895B 


Oxidized Till 


C895C 


Oxidized Till 


C895D 


Unoxidized Till 


C895E 


Empress 



Samples collected annually 



A2-27 



PARAMETERS 





Responsible Agency; Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management | Data Collectec 


by: SaskPower 




ESQUADAT* Code 


Parameter 


Analvtical method 


Sampling Frequency Station No. 


Piezometers 


lOIOI 


Alkalinity -tot 


Pot-Tllraiion 


A 




13105 


Aluminum-Diss 


AA-Direct 


3*» 




33104 


Arsenic-Diss 


Flameless AA 


A 




55104 


Barium-Djss 


AA-Direct 


A 




06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 


A 




06105 


Boron-Diss 


Colourimetry 


3" 




48102 


Cadmium-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 




20103 


Calcium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


A 




1 17203 


Chloride-Diss 


Colourimetry 


A 




24104 


Chromium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




27102 


Cobalt-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 




02011 


Colour 


Comparator 


A 




02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity Meter 


3 




29105 


Copper-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 




09103 


Fiuoride-Diss 


Specific Ion Electrode 


A 




26104 


Iron-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




82103 


Lead-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 




12102 


Magnesium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




25104 


Manganese-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




80111 


Mercury-Diss 


Flameless AA 


A 




42102 


Molybdenum-Diss 


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 


Slronlium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


y 




16306 


Sulphate-Diss 


Colourimetry 


:j«. 




10451 


TDS 


Gravimetric 


3** 




92111 


Uranium-Diss 


Fluoromctry 


3»* 




23104 


Vanadium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 




1 97025 


Water Level 




4 




30105 


Zinc-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 





• Computer storage and retrieval system -Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management. No zinc or iron for Piezometers 
SYMBOLS: AA-Atomic Absorption A Annually '* Analyze annually for these Piezometers Nos. AA - Solvent 

and extracted with Methyl Isobuty I Ketone. 4 - 4 limes/year 3 - 3 timcs'y«af 



C531I0C538. 

Extract (MIBK) - sample acidified 



Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
Data Collected by: SaskPower 



No. On Map 


Location 


Parameters 


Reporting Frequency 


1 


Coronach 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Continuous monitoring with 




(Discontinued) 




hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 






Total Suspended 


24-hour samples on 6-day 






Particulate 


cycle, corresponding to the 
national air pollution 
surveillance sampling schedule. 


2 


International 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Continuous monitoring with 




Boundary* 




hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 






Total Suspended 


24-hour samples on 6-day 






Particulate 


cycle, corresponding to the 
national air pollution 
surveillance sampling schedule. 


3 


PRPS Site** 


Wind Speed and 


Continuous monitoring with 






Direction 


hourly averages as summary 
statistics 



Sulphur Dioxide 


METHODS 1 

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
Pulsed Fluorescence 


Total Suspended Particulate 


Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
High Volume Method 



**This station operated by SaskPower. The data is downloaded by Environment Canada. 

A2 - 30 




LEQEND: 

AweCNT AM OVAUTV MOMTO<«tM 



A 

SCALE 



^ 10 IS Km 

6 6 I'O Milet 



AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



A2-31 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 

1999 

UNITED STATES 



A2-32 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 



Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey 


No. on Map 


Station Number 


Station Name 


1* 


06178000 ( 11 AE008) 


Poplar River at International 
Boundary 


2* 


06178500 (11AE003) 


East Poplar River at International 
Boundary 



International Gauging Station 



A2-33 



r 




10 Mil<« 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



y 



A2-34 



SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING ~ Station Location 



Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey 


No. On Map 


USGS Station No. 


STATION NAME 


1 


6178000 


Poplar River at International Boundary 


2 


6178500 


East Poplar River at International Boundary 


PARAMETERS 




Annual Sampling Frequency 


Analytical 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Site1 


Site 2 


Code 










29801 


Alkalinity - lab 


Elect. Titration 


5 


6 


01106 


Aluminum - diss 


ICP 


2 


2 


00608 


Ammonia - diss 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00625 


Ammonia +Org N-tot 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


01000 


Arsenic - diss 


AA, hydride 


2 


2 


01002 


Arsenic - tot 


AA, hydride 


1 


1 


01010 


Beryllium - diss 


AA, flame 


2 


2 


01012 


Beryllium - tot/rec 


AA, flame 


1 


1 


01020 


Boron - diss 


ICP 


5 


6 


01025 


Cadmium - diss 


AA.GF 


2 


2 


01027 


Cadmium - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persulfate 


1 


2 


00915 


Calcium - diss 


/\A, flame 


5 


6 


00680 


Carbon - tot Org 


Wet Oxidation 


1 


1 


00940 


Chloride - diss 


IC 


5 


6 


01030 


Ctiromium - diss 


AA, GF 


2 


2 


01034 


Chromium - tot/rec 


AA, GF 


1 


2 


00080 


Color 


Electrometric, visual 


5 


6 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


5 


C 


01040 


Copper - diss 


AA, GF 


2 


2 


01042 


Copper - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persulfate 


1 


2 


00061 


Discharge - inst 


Direct measurement 


5 


6 


00950 


Fluoride - diss 


Colormetric, ISE 


5 


6 


01046 


Iron - diss 


AA, flame 


5 


6 


01045 


Iron - tot/rec 


/V\, flame 


1 


2 


01049 


Lead - diss 


A^, GF 


2 


2 


01051 


Lead - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persulfate 


1 


2 


00925 


Magnesium - diss 


AA, flame 


5 


2 


01056 


Manganese - diss 


AA, flame 


2 


2 


01055 


Manganese - tot/rec 


AA, flame 


1 


2 


01065 


Nickel - diss 


AA, GF 


2 


2 


01067 


Nickel - tot/rec 


/VA, GF - Persulfate 


1 


2 


00613 


Nitrite - diss 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00631 


Nitrate + Nitrite - diss 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00300 


Oxygen-diss 


Oxygen membrane 


5 


6 


00400 


pH 


Electrometric 


5 


6 


00671 


Phos, Orlho-diss 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00665 


Phosphorous - tot 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00935 


Potassium - diss 


/\A, flame 


5 


6 


00931 


SAR 


Calculated 


5 


6 


80154 


Sediment - cone. 


Filtration-Gravimetric 


5 


6 


80155 


Sediment - load 


Calculated 


5 


6 


01145 


Selenium - diss 


AA, hydride 


2 


2 


01147 


Selenium tot 


/VA, hydride 


1 


1 


00955 


Silica - diss 


Colorimetric 


5 


6 


00930 


Sodium - diss 


AA, flame 


5 


6 


00945 


Sulphate - diss 


IC 


5 


6 


70301 


Total Dissolved Solids 


Calculated 


5 


6 


00010 


Temp Water 


Stem Thermometer 


5 


6 


00020 


Temp Air 


Stem Thermometer 


5 


6 


00076 


Turbidity 


Nephelometric 


5 


6 


22703 


Uranium - diss 


LIP 




MC 


01090 


Zinc - diss 


/\A, flame 


2 


2 


01092 


Zinc - tot/rec 


AA, flame 


1 


2 



Abbreviations: C - continuous; MC - monthly composite; GF - graphite furnace; AA - atomic absorption; tot/rec - total 
recoverable; diss - dissolved; AE - atomic emission; ICP - inductively coupled plasma; IC - ion exchange chromatography; LIP- 
; Org - organic 



A2-35 




lO Mittt 



SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



A2-36 



GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations 



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 


Map 


Well 


Total Depth (a) 


Casing 


Aquifer 


Perforation Zone (m) 


Number 


Location 


(m) 


Diameter (cm) 






7 


37N47E12BBBB 


44.1 


102 


Hart Coal 


39-44 


16 


37N46E3ABAB 


25.5 


102 


Fort Union 


23-25 


24 


37N48E5AB 


9.6 


102 


Alluvium 


9.2-9.6 


Parameters 


Storet 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Sampling Frequency Station No. 


Code 








00440 


Bicarbonates 


Electrometrlc Titration 


Sample collection is annually for 


01020 


Boron-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


all locations identified above. 


00915 


Calcium 


Emission Plasma 




00445 


Carbonates 


Electrometrlc 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 


Lithium-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00925 


Magnesium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01056 


Manganese-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01060 


Molybdenum 


Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 




00630 


Nitrate 


Ion Chromatography 




00400 


PH 


Electrometrlc 




00935 


Potassium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01145 


Selenium-diss 


ICP-MS 




00955 


Silica 


Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 




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: 
** - Computer storage and retrieval system - EPA 
ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry 



ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit 



A2-37 



r 




5 10 :5 K' 



10 Miles 



GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



A2-38 



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



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 


No. on Map 


Sampling 


56789101113161750000000 


Determine water levels quarterly 



A2-39 




S 10 IS Km 
I I i ll u ' 1 

S 10 MHet 



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



A2-40 



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 flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below 
the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1 st to 
May 3 1st 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 Boundar>' throughout the succeeding 1 2 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 1 st to 
May 3 1 st 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 (1 .0 cubic feet per second) shall then 
be maintained from September 1 st through to May 3 1 st 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 1 st to May 3 1 st 
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 
1 st through August 3 1 st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic 
feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1 st through to May 3 1 st 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 1 2 month period 
commencing June 1 st. 

(iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the 
confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1 st to May 3 1 st 
period exceeds 14,800 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 ,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 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 



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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^ 

LO00m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft 

28.3171 xlO-^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 X 10-^ tons 

0.62137 miles 

0.3861 mi^ 

0.3532 ft^ = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal 

0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm 
m = 3.2808 ft 

m- ■= 10.765 ft^ 

m^ = l,000L = 35.3144ft3 = 219.97I.gal= 264.2 U.S. gal 

mVs = 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^ 

A4-2