1994 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

Poplar

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1994

December 1995
Montana State Library

3 0864 1004 5766 5
s353.9^

1994 ANNUAL REPORT

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION

DEC 26 1995 to thG MONTANA STATE LIBRARY •^ 1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MONTANA 59620

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1994

PLEA,\f~ i-^h I I iiJ^l December 1995
\ i)•
Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee

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

Governor's Office State of Montana

Helena, N/lontana, United States

Department of External Affairs Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saskatcfiewan Environment and

Resource Management

Regina, Sasl<atcliewan, Canada

Indies and Gentlemen:

During 1994, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill the responsibilities

assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September 23, 1980. Through the exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on March 12, 1987, the Arrangement was extended to March 1991. In July 1992, another exchange of Diplomatic Notes extended the Arrangement retroactively from March 31, 1991 to March 31, 1996. In addition, the Arrangement was modified to terminate quarterly exchange of data and substitute an annual exchange of data.

The enclosed report summarizes current conditions and compares them to guidelines for specific

parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission under the 1977

Reference from Canada and the United States. After examination and evaluation of the monitoring

information for 1994, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended

objectives. However, the Committee notes that flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solids

in streamflow in the East Poplar River at International Boundary is approaching the long-term

objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per liter.

During 1994, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 1993 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee.

Herein is the 14th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses the Committee activities of 1994 and presents the proposed monitoring schedule for 1995.

Yours sincerely,

a. u.6mAJ!

Jq)b a. Moreland . Cnair/<fan, United 9<ites Section

GkyFritz

Member, United States Section

Richard Kellow Chairman, Canadian Section

Z>

^

D.D. Nargang

Member, Canadian Section

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for 1994 ill

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Committee Activities 2

2.1 Membership 2

2.2 Meetings 2

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3

2.4 Data Exchange 5

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 5

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 5

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 9

3.2.5.2 Boron 12

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 14

3.3 Groundwater 16

3.3.1 Operations 16

3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 17

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 17

3.3.2.1.1 Exploration Activities 20

3.3.2.2 Montana 21

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 22

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 22

3.3.3.2 Montana 27

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 28

3.4.1 Storage 28

3.4.2 Water Quality 30

3.5 Air Quality 30

3.6 Quality Control 30

3.6.1 Streamflow 30

3.6.2 Water Quality 31

4.0 References Cited 33

ANNEXES

1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States A1 -1 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical Monitoring

Schedules, 1995, Canada-United States A2-1

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3-1

4.0 Metric Conversions A4-1
TABLES

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 4

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1 994 Sampling

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 15

Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply

Project Wells 22

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 23

Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1994 29

Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for November 3, 1994 31

FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1994 as Compared with the Median Discharge for 1931-1990

for the Poplar River at international Boundary 6

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

Figure 3.3 TDS Concentrations for 1 994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at International Boundary 10

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

at International Boundary 10

Figure 3.5 Five-Year Moving. Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 11

Figure 3.6 Boron Concentrations for 1 994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at International Boundary 12

Figure 3.7 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar

River at International Boundary 13

Figure 3.8 Five-Year Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River

at International Boundary 14

Figure 3.9 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1994 18

Figure 3.10 Cone of Depression in the Empress Sands Due to the Salinity Control Project as of December 1994 19

Figure 3.11 Hydrographs of Selected Wells 21

Figure 3.12 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Monitoring Wells 28

Figure 3.13 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1994 and Median Monthly Water Levels for 1981-1991 29
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1994

The Poplar River Power Station completed its eleventh full year of operation in 1 994. The two 300- megawatt coal-fired units generated 4 397 600 gross megawatt-hours (MW/h) of electricity. In 1 994,

the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 80.5 percent and the average capacity factor for Unit

No. 2 was 89.2 percent.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 1994 was exchanged

in the spring of 1995. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements identified in the 1994 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth In the 1993

annual report.

The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary for 1994 was

14 500 cubic decametres (dam^) which was 144 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow.

The 1994 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2 420 dam^.

This volume is 76 percent of the median annual flow since completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. The

on-demand release, in accordance with the apportionment recommendations of the International

Joint Commission (IJC), entitled Montana to 370 dam^ for 1993-94 to be delivered between May 1

and May 30, 1 994. A volume of 391 dam^ was delivered during this period.

The 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations of total dissolved solids for the East Poplar River at

International Boundary which reached 975 milligrams per liter in 1993 declined to 966 milligrams per

liter in 1994. The slight reduction was a result of spring runoff in 1994. Even though there was a

slight decrease in the 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved solids for 1994,

the upward trend that has occured since 1987 will probably continue if surface-water runoff

continues to be below average.

ill

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 . On March 12, 1 987, the Arrangement was extended by the Governments for four years to March 1991 . The Arrangement was further extended for another five years to March 1 996 following

a request from the Committee in 1 991 . A more detailed account of the historical background of the 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 Corporation'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 Intemational 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. This report is the

fourteenth in the series. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention.

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

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

Schedules are updated annually to document changes in monitoring locations, sampling
2

frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques. 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 the Province of Saskatchewan.

During 1994, members of the Committee included: Mr. J. A. Moreland, U.S. Geological Survey,

United States representative and CoChairperson; Mr. R.G. Boals, Environment Canada, Canadian

representative and CoChairperson; Mr. G. Fritz, Montana Department of Natural Resources and

Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. D.D. Nargang, Saskatchewan Environment and

Resource Management, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W. Tande, Daniels County

Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio representative; and Mr. J.R. Totton, Reeve, R.M. of Hart

Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met on July 12 and 13, 1994, in Coronach, Saskatchewan. Delegated

representatives of Governments and the ex-officio member from Montana attended the meeting.

The ex-officio member from Saskatchewan was not in attendance. 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
3

the power plant and mine; examined data collected in 1993 including surface-water quality and

quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air quality; established the Technical Monitoring

Schedules for 1994; discussed proposed changes in water-quality objectives; and toured the power

plant, ash lagoons, mine, and other ancillary facilities. The Committee also prepared the first draft of

the 1 993 Annual Report to Governments.

2.3 Review of Water-Qualltv Ob)ectlves

The Intemational Joint Commission In Its Report to Governments, titled "Water Quality In the Poplar

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

within the overall Basin context and recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate." In

1991, the Committee undertook a review of water-quality objectives.

The Committee approved changes In water-quality objectives recommended by the 1991

subcommittee which was formed to review the objectives. Revised objectives approved by the

Committee are listed in Table 2.1

.

The Committee discussed the water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted

concentrations for total dissolved solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that calculation

procedures to determine flow-weighted concentrations are time consuming and probably

scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or procedures.

Objectives for un-ionized ammonia, pH, and mercury in fish tissue will require additional study.
Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

PARAMETER
2.4 Data Exchange

The Committee is responsible for assuring exchange of data between Governments. The exchange

of monitoring information was Initiated in the first quarter of 1981 and was an expansion of the

informal quarterly exchange program initiated between the United States and Canada in 1976. Until

1991 , data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at

the beginning of the 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 1994 which warranted special

reporting.

3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation

In 1994, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 80.5 percent. The average capacity factor for

Unit No. 2 was 89.2 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum power generation

rating of 297.8 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 294.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated from both

units was 4 397 600 gross megawatt-hours which Is about 101 percent of 1993 power and 94

percent of 1 992 power.

Ash Lagoon 3 South was a major construction project undertaken in 1994. Construction of the

lagoon began on August 15, 1994 and was completed on December 16, 1994. The lagoon design.

Including the liner system, was equivalent to the existing ash storage lagoons.
3.2 East Poplar River

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 1 994. The March to October recorded

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

14 500 cubic decametres which was 144 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow. A

comparison of 1994 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-90 median discharge is shown in Figure

3.1.

MAR

MEDIAN OF MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1931-90 MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1994

APR MAY SEP OCT

Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1994 as Compared with the Median Discharge

from 1931-1990 for the Poplar River at international Boundary.

The 1994 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2 420 dam^.

This volume is 76 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, 1994 was 13 200 dam^. Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the

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

0.085 cubic metres per second (m^/s) for the period June 1 through August 31, 1994, and

0.057 m^/s from September 1 , 1 994 to May 31 , 1 995. The minimum flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 1994 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 1993. 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 1994 occasionally fell below the recommended minimum because of beaver

activity, ice conditions, and changes in stage/discharge relationships. The deficit volume for June

through December, 1 994, was 35 dam^--an average of 0.002 m^/s per day.
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 IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on- demand release to be delivered during the twelve month period commencing June 1 . Based on the

runoff volume of 2 740 dam^ recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gaging station

during the March 1 to May 31, 1993 period, Montana was entitled to a release of 370 dam^ from Cookson Reservoir during the twelve-month period commencing June 1, 1993. Montana requested

this release to be made between May 12 and May 30, 1994. A volume of 391 dam^ was delivered

during this period.
3.2.5 Water Quality

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to Octot)er period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should

not exceed 3.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for boron and 1 500 mg/L for total dissolved

solids for any three consecutive months In the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the March to October period, the long-term average of flow-weighted

concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1 000 mg/L or less for total dissolved solids In the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

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

the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) data are best

graphically plotted as 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations (FWCs) which were advanced

one month at a time.

Data for January, half of November, and December were unavailable for inclusion in the flowweighted concentration calculations. Samples collected in January froze and the local observer

discontinued collection of samples in November and December. The January grab sample for boron was contaminated and unusable. No grab sample was collected in August.

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids

TDS data for grab samples collected by Environment Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey in 1994 are shown in Figure 3.3. TDS ranged from 525 mg/L (March 16) to 1 092 mg/L (September

20). The short-term objective for TDS is 1 500 mg/L. A time plot of the 3-month moving FWCs for TDS is presented in Figure 3.4. No exceedances of the objective have been observed during any 3-

month period since 1 975.
10

oil g

Q

1200

1 100

1000

poo

800

700

600 -

500

400 J I 1 I I

^ L 1994 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 Month

Figure 3.3 TDS Concentrations for 1994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River

at International Boundary.

tiO

a.

1—'—I—'—i—

r

from sample analysis from regression

_L_j I I L

1975 1976 1977 1976 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1993 1994 1995 Year

Figure 3.4 Thiree-IVIonth Moving, Fiow-Weighited TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary.
11

Five-year FWCs forTDS (Figure 3.5) remained below the long-term objective of 1 000 mg/L. A slight

decrease in the 5-year FWCs for TDS from approximately 975 mg/L to 966 mg/L was observed in

1994. This decrease was a result of spring runoff in 1994. A 200-mg/L increase had previously

occurred in early 1988 and had been maintained through 1989 and 1990. The 1991 rise In FWCs for TDS corresponds to depressed spring flows in the East Poplar River. A similar increase in FWCs for TDS was seen during mid-1987. Relatively low spring discharges have occurred since 1984. Even

though there was a slight decrease in the FWCs for TDS for 1994, the upward trend in FWCs for TDS will probably continue if the surface-water runoff continues to be below average. The Increase

in FWCs for TDS can be explained in part by salt build-up in Cookson Reservoir as a result of water

being used for cooling. Forced evaporation causes salts to concentrate within the reservoir. This

process is further driven by drought conditions which prevailed over the last half of the data record

(Lang and Jones, 1988). In addition, low-flow conditions (when flows are derived largely from

ground-water sources) likely increase TDS concentrations and yields a positive trend in FWCs for TDS.

Q

1300

1200

1 100 - 1000 900 800

700 - 600 - 500

400

300

200

100

1—'—i—'—

r

J I I I \ i \ I I I I

. 1,1 ,1,1,1,1

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Year

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

River at International Boundary.
12

The relation between TDS and specific conductance generated from data collected from 1975 to

1 994 is as follows: TDS = (0.635 X specific conductance) + 15.38

(R2 = 0.87, n = 493)

3.2.5.2 Boron

During 1 994, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at International Boundary varied from

0.60 mg/L (March 16) to 2.10 mg/L (June 6) (Figure 3.6).

t!£! s

O

CO

2.50

2.25

2.00

1.75 1.50

1.25

1 00

0.75

0.5025

0.001994 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Ocl Nov Dec 1995 Month

Figure 3.6 Boron Concentrations for 1994 Grab Samples from East Poplar

River at International Boundary.

Three-month FWCs for boron for the period of record are shown in Figure 3.7. The short-term

objective of 3.5 mg/L boron was not exceeded for the period 1975-1994. The similarity in shape

between the TDS and boron plots (Figures 3.4 and 3.7) is a strong indication of the influence of

discharge on FWCs.
13

ona

o

Short-Term Objective (3.5 rug/L)

V...K?!-.

from sample analysis

from reeression

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1900 1981 1982 1903 1984 1905 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1991 1995 Year

Figure 3.7 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary.

The 5-year FWCs for boron, displayed in Figure 3.8, remained well below the long-term objective of

2.5 mg/L boron. From mid-1988 to the end of 1990, there was a slight increase in the 5-year FWCs

for boron. The 5-year FWCs for boron decreased from approximately 1.97 mg/L in 1993 to 1.88 mg/L in 1 994. The 5-year calculations for boron were influenced by discharge in the same way as was TDS.
14

-|—'—I—'—

r

Long—Term Objective (2.5 mg/L)

I , I ; I . I J .

I J i I 1 I

.

I 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Year

Figure 3.8 Five-Year Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary.

The relation between boron and specific conductance at East Poplar River at International Boundary

during the period 1975-1994 is described by the equation:

boron = (0.00140 x specific conductance) - 0.169764

(R2 = 0.67, n = 493)

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables

Table 3.1 lists the current multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at

International Boundary, approved by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. Revisions to

the water-quality objectives recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to

the IJC were made in 1992 as outlined in the 1992 annual report. Objectives for un-ionized ammonia, mercury in fish tissue, and pH require further definition. No excursions occurred in 1994.
15

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1994 Sampling Program, East

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

Parameter
16

3.3 Groundwater

3.3.1 Operations

In 1 994, SaskPower Corporation continued to operate their Supplementary Water Supply Project to

augment supplies in Cookson Reservoir. The 1 994 total of 5 485 dam'' of water produced from the

Supplementary Water Supply Project was slightly less than the 1993 production of 5 582 dam^.

SaskPower Corporation has an approval to produce an annual volume of 5 500 dam^.

SaskPower Corporation's Supplementary Water Supply Project well network currently consists of 21

wells with a total of 10 discharge points. No wells were added or deleted from the well field during

the year. Production was reasonably consistent throughout most of the year with the exception of

the July to September period when there was a reduction in pumping. In summer, wells which do

not supply water to domestic users are turned off. Consequently, in July and August, only 5 wells

were pumped as opposed to the remainder of the year when 17 to 18 wells were pumped. Reduced summer pumping assists in achieving maximum flows into Cookson Reservoir by minimizing

evaporative losses in Girard Creek.

Operation of SaskPower Corporation's Salinity Control Project continued in 1994 with production

from 7 wells with a total volume of 1 095 dam^ pumped during the year. (An eighth well is located

along the International Boundary, but has never been operated.) This represents a slight increase

over the 1993 pumped volume of 1 036 dam*'. As in previous years, the majority of the water was pumped from wells PW87103 and PW87104 on the east side of the river and PW90108 on the west

side of the river.
17

3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

The December 1994 drawdown map for the Hart Coal Seam (figure 3.9) indicates that there was a

slight contraction in the 1 -metre drawdown contour In the northwest portion of the area. The

apparent expansion of the 1 -metre drawdown in the southwest portion of the area was most likely due to the re-establishment of piezometer 51 OA. There were no significant changes in the drawdown contours of 5 metres or greater. Nine piezometers were deleted from the monitoring

network in 1 994.

The December 1994 drawdown map for the Empress sands (figure 3.10) Indicates that there was a

slight overall reduction in both the extent and magnitude of drawdowns from Salinity Control Project

pumping.

This reduction is a reflection of the significant recharge which occurred In 1993 and 1994. The goal

of the project is to lower water levels in the Empress sands below the reservoir by 2 to 3 metres.

This had been established prior to the significant recharge which started in June 1993. The

increased pumping rate in 1993 and 1994 has been able to re-establish a 2-metre drawdown cone

around well PW87102. Similar operation of the Salinity Control Project will continue until a two- to

three-metre drawdown cone is established again.

Three piezometers associated with the Salinity Control Project were damaged. Two of these are to be replaced. Two or three new piezometers will also be installed.
ia

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3^.2.1.1 Exploration Activities

Given the continuing low water levels in Cookson Reservoir SaskPower Corporation continued to

evaluate the Frenchman (Hell Creek) formation as an additional supplementary supply. The

exploration efforts by SaskPower Corporation have essentially taken place in two phases. The first

phase included test drilling, observation and test well installation, and a 36-day pump test. The

pumping rate during the test was initially set at 150 U.S.gpm. but eventually had to be reduced to

80.8 U.S.gpm. Using the information obtained, a numerical model (MODFLOW) was constructed,

and various pumping scenarios modelled. Model results indicate that at a production rate of 1 000

dam'^/year, significant drawdowns at the International Boundary would occur. A copy of the

investigation report was submitted to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.

Following the first phase which was completed in 1993, SaskPower Corporation constructed two

additional wells utilizing alternative well designs in order to increase production rates. A pump test

using all three wells was initiated on March 30, 1994 and continued until September 27, 1994 (181

days). An initial pumping rate of 982 m^/day was obtained, but within a few days the rate had to be

reduced to 806 m^/day due to high drawdowns in the production wells. Following the pump test, a

modelling study using MODFLOW was undertaken.

Based on the results of the pump test and subsequent modelling, SaskPower Corporation found that

the overall hydraulic conductivity and thus productive potential of the Frenchman aquifer are

significantly lower than were expected at the start of the investigation. Initially, SaskPower

Corporation had hoped for a supplemental supply of 2 000 dam^/year, but the investigation indicates

that this would require a well field of at least 24 and perhaps as many as 40 wells. A pipeline to

transport the water would also be required.
21 SaskPower Corporation has applied for an approval to operate the three existing production wells at

a rate of 360 dam^/year (180 U.S.gpm). The modelling study predicts that after ten years, drawdowns in the range of 1 to 5 metres at the International Boundary would result from production

from these wells. Saskatchewan Water Corporation is currently reviewing this allocation request.

3.3.2.2 Montana

Water levels in monitoring wells 8, 9, and 11 fluctuated in response to seasonal changes. Water

levels in wells 5-7, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 22 increased in 1994 reflecting higher rates of recharge (figure

3.11). The influence of pumping from Salinity Control Project wells was observed in wells 10 and 24.

2460 n

_2458

w

E

S2456

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UJJfe2452

c 2450 3

OL. (3 2448

2446

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19

Jan-80 Jan-83 Jan-86 Jan-89 Jan-92 Jan-95

DATE

Figure 3.11 Hydrographs of Selected Wells.
22

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan

The water quality from the Supplementary Water Supply Project discharge points has t)een

consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters during

1994 Is provided in Table 3.2. Statistical averages of the results since January 1990 are Included In

this table. Water quality from the wells Is better than the current reservoir quality and therefore this

water has a positive influence on the quality of water In the reservoir.

Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from

Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells
23

The water quality of the common discharge point from the Salinity Control Project wells is generally

better than the water quality in Cookson Reservoir. Average results from the common discharge

point for 1994, plus an average of the 1990-1994 results, are provided in Table 3.3. Results have

been consistent since 1 990.

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from

Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe
24

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 for these assessments.

The ground-water monitoring program was expanded in 1994 as a result of Ash Lagoon 3 South

construction. In total, 20 new pneumatic piezometers and 28 new standpipe piezometers were

completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers is scheduled to begin in 1995.

Nine existing piezometers were also decommissioned at the time of Ash Lagoon 3 South

construction including: 530, 531 . 729A, 729B, 729D, 774B. 774C and 774D.

Piezometers 867A, 868A, and 871 A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the

ash stack of Ash Lagoon 1 . The 1994 monitoring results appear to confirm the trend first observed

in 1993 that the boron concentration decreases with depth within the ash stack.

The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is therefore suspected to differ from the

surface water of the lagoons. Information is only available from piezometers installed within Ash

Lagoon 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. The effect of ash thickness on leachate

quality is not completely understood. New piezometers 886A, 887A, 890A, and 893A have now

been completed above the liner system of new Ash Lagoon 3 South. Monitoring of all piezometers

completed above the lagoon liner systems will be continued to confirm the trend noted above and to

improve the understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons.

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a

ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. Relative to the 1993 position, the size and extent of

the ground-water mound has not significantly changed. The mound extends from the east side of

Ash Lagoon 2, where levels have increased 6 metres, to the west side of the polishing pond, where
25

levels have Increased 4 metres. Oxidized-till piezometers located closer to the reservoir have shown

a decreasing trend in piezometric levels reacting to lower reservoir levels.

The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till have occurred where piezometric levels have changed the most. This would be expected as changing piezometric

levels suggest ground-water movement. Increasing boron concentrations on the east and south side

of Ash Lagoon 2, together with decreasing chloride concentrations suggests leachate influence. On

the west side of the polishing pond the boron concentrations have not significantly changed.

Little change in boron or chloride concentrations has been observed for most of the oxidized-till

piezometers located by the reservoir. The only significant change in samples from any of these

piezometers has been in 719 where chloride concentrations have decreased 90 mg/L overall since 1983 to 21 mg/L. The change in quality is suspected to be the result of reservoir influence rather

than ash lagoon influence.

A ground-water mound has developed in the unoxidized till, similar to that in the oxidized till,

extending from the east side of Ash Lagoon 2 to the west side of the polishing pond. The groundwater mound is known to be discontinuous as piezometers 764D and 871 C are located within the mound area and are reacting to reservoir levels. A review of boron and chloride concentrations does

not show any significant trends.

The piezometric surface of the Empress gravels indicate a regional flow from northwest to southeast

below Morrison Dam. Monitoring since 1983 generally shows that the piezometric surface in the

lagoon area reacts to the reservoir level. Results for Empress gravel water quality do not indicate any leachate influence with the majority of piezometers showing little change in boron or chloride

concentrations from background values.

For the past 4 years elevated piezometric water levels and increasing boron concentrations have

been noted for piezometers 775B and 775D located on the top of the dyke at the south east corner of
26

Ash Lagoon 3 North. The changes observed were seen as significant although some data appeared

anomalous. In the fall of 1994 a new piezometer series 885 was completed near series 775. Data

from the new piezometers suggests that, in fact, the previous results from 775B and 775D are not

representative of actual conditions. Piezometers 775B and 775D were decommissioned as part of

Ash Lagoon 3 South construction in December 1994.

Sand lens piezometers 71 2B, 766, and 767 are located between the polishing pond and the cooling

water canal. Piezometer 767 is located on the top of Dyke G and 766 and 7128 are located at the

toe of Dyke G. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a

preferential pathway for leachate migration.

A review of the boron concentration for Piezometer 766 shows an increasing trend up to October

1 988 when levels peaked at 1 2.6 mg/L. Boron concentrations decreased to 6.99 mg/L in April 1 990,

then began increasing again-peaking at 35.2 mg/L in June 1993 before falling to 26.7 mg/L in

October 1993. In October 1994, the boron concentration increased to 36.2 mg/L, the highest

concentration recorded to date. The chloride concentration for 766 has shown little movement since

1987 and remains within the 20 to 30 mg/L range, similar to the ash lagoon surface-water

concentration.

Until April 1988 the boron concentration for Piezometer 767 was increasing and peaked at

49.4 mg/L. From this peak the boron concentration has steadily decreased to the end of 1 991 when

the concentration leveled off near 5 mg/L. The October 1994 result is 6.41 mg/L. The reduction in

boron concentrations for samples from 767 suggest the movement of a slug of leachate and not a

continuous plume. There has been an increasing trend in chloride for 767 ranging from 25 mg/L in

1 989 to 75 mg/L In 1 991 . Since 1991 the concentration has remained near 70 mg/L with an October

1994 result of 73.4 mg/L.
27

Boron concentrations for piezometer 71 2B were initially below 1.0 mg/L until an increasing trend began in 1987 with the concentration peaking in April 1992 at 26.6 mg/L. The boron concentration

then decreased and leveled off near 1 8 mg/L with an October 1 994 result of 1 7 mg/L. Chloride

concentrations trended down for 71 28 to 50 mg/L in 1988 from over 200 mg/L in 1984. Since 1988,

chloride levels have changed little with an October 1 994 result of 51 .8 mg/L.

The total calculated seepage from the ash lagoons in 1994 was determined to be 1.67 litres per

second. This value is not significantly different from the 1993 calculated seepage of 1.62 litres per

second.

The model used to determine seepage sums the calculated horizontal and vertical seepage components from each ash lagoon. For Ash Lagoon 3 North the vertical seepage was detennined to be zero due to pore pressure beneath the lagoon exceeding what the lagoon water level could

physically produce. This situation is believed to result from a compression of the soil beneath the

lagoon due to the weight of the ash and water in the lagoon. The effect is expected to dissipate over

time.

Liner permeabilities for all lagoons except Ash Lagoon 3 North are about 10'^cm/sec. The line

permeability for Ash Lagoon 3 North could not be calculated because of the pore pressure situation

discussed above.

3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 1994. 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 water quality were observed. Graphs of total dissolved solids for selected

wells are shown in Figure 3.12.
28

1000

800

600

O)E

400

200
29

Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1 994

Date
30

3.4.2 Water Quality

The 1994 spring runoff had a positive impact on Cookson Reservoir water quality. At the end of

1994, boron concentrations in the reservoir were about 2.4 mg/L compared to about 3.6 mg/L at the end of 1 993. Similarly, TDS decreased from approximately 1 600 mg/L at the end of 1 993 to about

1 250 mg/L at the end of 1994. Water-quality conditions at the end of 1994 were similar to

conditions in 1 990.

3.5 Air Quality

SaskPower Corporation's (SPC) ambient SO2 monitoring for 1994 recorded no violations of

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management's hourly and 24-hour average standards. The highest recorded hourly value of 0.0493 ppm SO2 was recorded in November 1 994.

Total suspended particulate concentrations for 1994 obtained from SRC's monitor did not exceed

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management's 24-hour standard of 120 )ig/m^

(micrograms per cubic metre). The highest recorded concentration was 84.7 \iQ/rn^ in June 1994.

The geometric mean for the high-volume suspended particulate sampler for 1994 was 16.0 ixg/m^.

During the first week of 1994, a new stack-gas analyzer was installed. The analyzer is capable of

measuring sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and oxygen. It replaced three existing monitors and

performed well during 1994.

3.6 Quality Control

3.6.1 Streamflow

To test the comparability of streamflow measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

and Environment Canada (EC), similar measurements were made on the East Poplar River at

International Boundary on November 3, 1994 by personnel from both agencies. The discharges
31 shown in Table 3.5 differ significantly which illustrates the difficulty of obtaining accurate measurements of small discharges using conventional current-meter methods. The theoretical

discharge of the 90° V-notch weir--0.052 m^/s--was used in the computations.

Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for November 3, 1994

Agency
32

disagreement between triplicates for ammonia. The results for TOC ranged from 8.4 to 9.8 mg/L,

with none of the reporting labs agreeing with each other. Three labs showed very good interagency

consistency for sulphate while the fourth lab was biased low. One lab has consistently been biased

high for TDS, however this is due in part to differing methodology. If that is considered, the TDS

results are comparable. Total zinc results shown some disagreement, with three labs reporting "less

than" results and one reporting significantly higher results. Vanadium showed a large variability between labs, with a 1 times difference in reported results. The two labs which reported dissolved

iron had good reproducibility within their respective lab but not with each other. Two of the four labs

reporting mercury had good agreement, one reported "sample contaminated," and the other

reported results ranging from <0.005 to 0.03 ^.g/L (micrograms per liter). The Interagency boron

results were comparable for three of the four labs. One lab was biased a little low. The remaining

metals results were either near or below the analytical detection limit.

The evaluation and interpretation of interagency data can be difficult and sometimes impossible,

therefore one must do more than just compare raw data in these types of quality-control exercises.

It is up to each agency to decide if their results are acceptable with respect to the other participant's

results.
33

4.0 REFERENCES CITED

Integrated Environments Limited, 1991, The use of the TYDAC SPANS GIS in the assessment and

review of pesticide residues detected in surface waters of the Prairie Provinces and the Northwest

Territories. (Prepared for Environment Canada, Inland Waters Directorate, Western and Northern

Region, Water Quality Branch, Regina, Saskatchewan.) 138 p.

Lang, T.-A., and Jones, K., 1988, A comparison of the meteorological conditions during the droughts

of the 1930's and the 1980's for the Prairie Provinces. Environment Canada, Atmospheric

Environment Service, Regina. Report No. CSS-R89-01 (A publication of the Canadian Climate

Program.) 50 p.

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 Public Safety (now Saskatchewan

Environment and Resource Management)

Government of the United States of America: U.S Geological Survey

Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

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

A. Membership

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States. There will be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The participating

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

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

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

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

B. Functions of the Committee

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

of monitored data in accordance with the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementation of the Arrangement. In addition, the Committee will review the existing monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and

A1-2
may recommend to the Canadian and United States Govemments any modifications to improve tlie 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.

2. Repprts

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint Annual Report to the participating govemments.

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);

(ill) 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 fonA^arded by the Committee Co-chairmen to the participating governments. All annual and special

reports will be so distributed.

3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

The Canadian and United States sections 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 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 govemment. and

requesting that appropriate corrective action be taken. A1-3
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.

A1-4
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1995

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 PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AREA A2-12

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- ASH LAGOON AREA A2-14

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING A2-23

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2-26

SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING A2-28

GROUND-WATER QUALITY MONITORING A2-30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2-32

A2-2
PREAMBLE

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

monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for Information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement.

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

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

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

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

based on the recommendation 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 data on water quantity, water quality, ground water, and air quality 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 as part of routine or specific studies by

various agencies.

A2-3
POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1995

CANADA

A2-4
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada

Saskatchewan Water Corporation

Daily mean disctiarge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally published in surface-water data publications.

No. on Map
r

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-6
SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Saslcatchewan Environment and Resource Management
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada
LEGEND: ^ ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN

ENVIRONMENT CANADA A

SCALE

10 15 Km

SURFACE WATER QUAUTY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-9
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN

DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
lO Miles

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

A2-11
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA

SPG Piezometer

Number
A2-13
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORINGASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING--

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued)

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING--

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued)

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING--

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued)

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING--

ASH LAGOON AREA--OUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORINGASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued)

SPC Piezometer Number
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORINGASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued)

SPC Piezometer Number
A2-21
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management |
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Responsible Aqency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Manaqement 1
\

LEGEND:

AMBIENT aiR OUAUTV MONITORING

5 10 15 Km

AMBIENT AIR QUAUTY MONITORING (CANADA)

V.

A2-24
POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1995

UNITED STATES

A2-25
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey
r

5 10 15 Km

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-27
SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING
lO Miles

SURFACE WATER QUAUTY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-29
GROUND-WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Station Locations

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
5 10 15 Kr

GROUNDWATER QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

A2-31
GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
I

I 15 Km

10 Miles GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

A2-33

ANNEX 3

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD,

POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976)

A3-1
•RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

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

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

1. The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all its tributaries crossing the

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

the flow at the International Boundary in each tributary shall not be depleted by more than 60

percent of its natural flow.

2. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin

crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United

States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows:

(a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary as determined below the 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 each year as follows:

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

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the

International Boundary throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing

June 1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 acre-feet) shall be

delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 1 2 month period

commencing June 1st.

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

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31 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), then a continuous minimum

flow of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall be

delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum

delivery of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1 .0 cubic feet per second) shall then be

maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period

commencing June 1st.

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

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31 st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 ace-feet), but does

Canada-United States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment. Poplar River Basin,

Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, International Souris-Red Rivers Board, Poplar

River Task Force, 43 pp. A3-2
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 then be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum

delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be

maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period

commencing June 1st.

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

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period exceeds 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet) then a

continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the

International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through to 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 tribu- taries shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow.

3. The natural flow and division periods for apportionment purposes shall be determined, unless

othenwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with the uses and requirements of both

countries.

A3-3

ANNEX 4

METRIC CONVERSIONS

A4-1
ac

ac-ft C

cm

cm*

< dam'

ft3 hahm

hm' Lgpm

inkg

km

km* L

Usm

m*

m3

. m'^ mm

tonne

U.S. gpm

METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS

4,047 m^ = 0.04047 ha

1,233.5 m3 = 1.2335 dam^

5/9(F*' - 32)

0.3937 in.

0.155 in*

1,000 m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft

28.3171 X 10-V

10.000 m* = 2.471 ac

100 m = 328.08 ft

1 X 10^ m^

0.0758 L/s

2.54 cm

2.20462 lb =1.1x10"^ 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

3.2808 ft

10.7636 ft*

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

35.314 cfs

0.00328 ft

1,000 kg = 1.1023 ton (short)

0.0631 IVs

For Air Samples

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

A4-2