s

333.91 M26PRAR

2004

2004 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING

COMMIHEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2004

STATE BMUMOffS COLLECTION

uoy 2 1 2005 ^«^

•«»^ANA STATE UBRARY

October 2005
Moniana Stale Library ^jmiiii 3 0864 1003 5676 8
2004 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN, AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2004

October 2005

Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee

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

Governor's OflBce

State of Montana

Helena, Montana, United States

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Department ofForeign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saskatchewan Environment R^ina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Herein is the 24th Armual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This rq)ort discusses the Committee activities of2004 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2005.

During 2004, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fiilfill 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, July 1997, and March 2002, the Arrangement was

extended. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2007.

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 fi-om Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 2004, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives.

Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an on-demand release of 617 dam' (500 acre-feet) fi-om Cookson Reservoir in 2004. A volume of 728 dam' (590 aae-feet) was delivered to the United States during

this period. In addition, daily flows in 2004 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC except

for January 27 to March 25, when daily flows fell below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the

charmel.

During 2004, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 2003 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. One significant change that occurred in 2004 was the suspension of surface-water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River boimdary station by

Environment Canada.

Yours sincerely,

jlL*--l~<.>sJ'^cy{f-'^ .

rstiiitsUnited States Section Chuck Bosgoed /^ : Member, Canadian Section

r TABLE OF CONTENTS

j Highlights for 2004 iii

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Committee Activities 2

2.1 Membership 2

2.2 Meetings 2

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3

2.4 Data Exchange 4

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 6

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6

3.2 Surface Water 6

3.2.1 Streamflow 6

3.2.2 Apportionment 7

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 7

3.2.4 On-Demand Release 8

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality 9

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 10

3.2.5.2 Boron 14

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives 17

3.3 Groundwater 19

3.3.1 Operations 19

i 3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring 21

* 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 22

3.3.2.2 Montana 24

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 26

I 3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 26

3.3.3.2 Montana 30

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 31

3.4.1 Storage 31

I 3.4.2 Water Quality 32

I 3.5 Air Quality 33

I 3.6 Quality Control 33

3.6.1 Streamflow 33

I 3.6.2 Water Quality 33

\ ANNEXES

t 1.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States A

I 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical

I Monitoring Schedules, 2005, Canada-United States A2

J 3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3

' 4.0 Conversion Factors A4
TABLES

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 5 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2004 Sampling

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18 Table 3 .

Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana .... 2

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells 26

Table 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 27

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2004 31 FIGURES

Figure 3.Discharge during 2004 as Compared with the Median Discharge from

1931-2000 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 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9

Figure 3.4 Monthly Mean TDS Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality

Samples or Average Mid-month Monthly Conductance Data Collected by

Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary ... 12 Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 12 Figure 3.6 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 13 Figure 3 . 7 Daily TDS Concentration, 1 990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary , 13 Figure 3.8 Monthly Mean Boron Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality

Samples or Average Mid-Month Monthly Conductance Data Collected by

Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary 15 Figure 3.9 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 15 Figure 3.10 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 16 Figure 3.11 Daily Boron Concentration, 1 990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary 16 Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 19 Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Project 21

Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply

Ground Water Monitoring Network 23

Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply

Ground Water Monitoring Network 23

Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Fort Union and Hart Coal Aquifers 24

Figure 3.17 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 25

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 30

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2004 and Median

Daily Water Levels, 1994-2003 32
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2004

The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-first full year of operation in 2004. The two

300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,557,536 gross megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity. The average capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 84.4 percent and 85.9 percent,

respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MWh for both Unit No.l and Unit No. 2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the spring and fall of 2004.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2004 was exchanged

in the spring of 2005. One significant change that occurred in 2004 was the suspension of surface- water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River boundary station by Environment Canada.

The recorded volimie of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2004 was 8,410 dam^ (6,820 acre-feet). Based on International Joint Commission (IJC) recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was

entitled to a minimimi discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.057 cubic metres per second (m^/s)

(2.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period June 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004 and 0.028 mVs

(1.0 ft^/s) for the period September 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005. The minimum flow of 0.057 mVs

(2.0 ftVs) for the period January 1 to May 31, 2004 had previously been determined on the basis of

the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2003. Daily flows in 2004 met or exceeded

the minimum flow recommended by the IJC except for January 27 to March 25, when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the channel.

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 Jime 1. Based on the runoff volume of 10,050 dam^ (8,150 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 2003, the United States was entitled to an additional release of 617 dam^ (500 acre-feet) from Cookson

Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2003. Montana

requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2004. A volume of 728 dam^ (590

acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period.

The 2004 five-year TDS flow-weighted concentrations were below the long-term objective of

1,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly value calculated in 2004 was about 935 mg/L, which was slightly higher than the 2003 maximum monthly value of 887 mg/L, but lower

than the maximum value of 943 mg/L reported in 2002. Boron concentrations for 2004, though

based upon a limited number of water-quality samples, 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 imder the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring

Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex

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

July 1997, and March 2002. The current extension expires in March 2007. A more detailed account of

the historical background of the Monitoring Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Aimual 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 fi'om 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 Govermnents 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 armual report (Aimex 2) are given for the year 2005. The Conmiittee 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 Govermnents 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 2004, 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, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W.

Tande, Daniels Coimty Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio representative; and Mr. D. Kirby,

Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met on June 16, 2004, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Delegated representatives of Governments, with the exception of the ex-officio member from Montana, 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 River Power Station and associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected in 2003

including surface-water quality and quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air quality; discussed proposed changes in the water-quality sampling program, and established the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2005.

One significant change in 2004 was the suspension of surface-water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River station by Environment Canada.
2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives

The International Joint Commission in its Report to Governments, titled "Water Quality in the Poplar River Basin," recommended that the Committee periodically review the water-quality objectives within

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

objectives.

In 1993, the Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the subcommittee that was formed in 1992 to review the objectives. The Committee also discussed the water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that calculation procedures to determine flow-weighted

concentrations are time consuming and probably scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or procedures.

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

parameters affected were: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total chromium, dissolved copper, mercury in fish tissues, fecal coliform, and total coliform. The Committee also agreed to otiier minor

revisions for clarification purposes. For example, changing the designation for pH from "natural" to "ambient."

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

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

to suspend these parameters was based on data indicating concentrations or levels well below or within

the objectives. Current objectives approved by the Committee are listed in Table 2. 1.

The Committee also agreed to periodically review all suspended parameters.

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

quarteriy 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 axmual exchange effective at the beginning of

the 1992 calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged once each year as soon after the end of the calendar year as possible. However, unusual conditions or anomalous data will be reported and

exchanged whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 2004 which warranted special

reporting.
Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

Parameter
3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation

In 2004, the two 300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,557,536 gross megawatt hours (MWh) of

electricity. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and 2 were 84.4 percent and 85.9 percent,

respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MWh for both

Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the spring

and fall of 2004.

3.2 Surface Water

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 2004. The March to October recorded flow of

the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 13,490 cubic decametres (dam^) (10,940 acre-feet), which was 131 percent of the 1931-2000 median seasonal flow of

10,290 dam^ (8,340 acre-feet). A comparison of 2004 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-2000 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1.

Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2000

' Monthly Mean Discharge for 2004

Apr May Aug Sep

Figure 3.1 Discharge during 2004 as Compared with the Median Discharge from

1931-2000 for the Poplar River at International Boundary.
The 2004 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 3,040 dam'' (2,460 acre-feet). This volume is 103 percent of the median annual flow of 2,940 dam^ (2,380 acre-feet)

for 1976-2003 (since the completion of Morrison Dam).

3.2.2 Apportionment

In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and the United

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

has not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to the apportion- ment recommendation. 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, 2004 was

8,410 dam (6,820 acre-feet). Based on UC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow

is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.057 cubic metres per second (m^/s) (2.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period Jvme 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004 and 0.028 m^/s (1.0 ftVs) for the period September 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005. The

minimum flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2004 was 0.057 m^/s (2.0 ft^/s), determined on the

basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2003. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the UC are shown in Figure

3.2.

Daily flows during 2004 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the UC throughout the

year except for January 27 to March 25, when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due

to ice conditions in the channel. No flow was observed at the international boundary during most of this period even though the recommended minimum flow was being released from Cookson Reservoir.
1

0.1
Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release.

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should not exceed 3.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 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 offlow-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, the 3-month moving flov^-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron and

total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly water-quality monitoring results. Since

the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily in the East Poplar River at International Boundary, making it possible to derive boron and TDS concentration using a linear regression relationship v^th specific conductance.
In 2003, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee decided to suspend much of the water-quality

sampling program until it is warranted again. The Committee has agreed to use the daily conductance

data collected by the specific-conductance monitor as a surrogate for the monthly water-quality

sampling program. Therefore, only four water-quality samples were collected for TDS and boron by the uses in 2004. Hence, the 3-month FWC for TDS and boron in 2004 were calculated using the two

established equations (shown later in text) and the daily conductance data collected by the specific- conductance monitor installed at the East Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station.

The Bilateral Monitoring Conmiittee adopted the approach that, for the purpose of comparison with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the TDS and boron data are best plotted as a 5-year moving FWC

which is advanced 1 month at a time.

Prior to 1988, long-term averages were calculated for a 5-year period in which 2.5 years preceded and

2.5 years followed each plotted point. Beginning in 1988, the FWC was calculated from the 5-year

period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 2004 is calculated from data generated over the period December 1999 to December 2004. 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 East Poplar River at International Boundary station. During

periods of high runoff such as spring freshet, TDS decreases as the proportion of streamflow derived from ground water decreases. Conversely, during times of low streamflow (late summer, winter) the

contribution of ground water to streamflow is proportionally greater. Because the ground water has a

higher ionic strength than the surface water entering the river, the TDS of the stream increases markedly

during low-flow conditions.

TDS concentrations derived from the specific- conductance monitor readings are shown in Figure 3.4. The TDS concentrations ranged from 730 mg/L on March 15 to 1,060 mg/L on May 25. The proposed

short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L.

10
The 3-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of record is presented in Figure 3.5. The TDS

objectives have not been exceeded during the period of record. On inspection of the plot in Figure 3.5, it

is apparent that the 3 -month moving FWC increased gradually, year by year, up imtil the spring runoff of 1997, 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

concentrations were slightly higher in 2004 relative to those recorded in 2003. In general, low spring runoff and higher contribution from ground water have kept the TDS concentrations close to the long- term objective of 1,000 mg/L.

The 5-year moving FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective of 1,000 mg/L in 2004. The maximum monthly FWC in 2004 was about 935 mg/L, which is slightly higher than the 2003

maximum monthly value of 887 mg/L, but lower than the maximum value of 943 mg/L reported in 2002.

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

for the period January 1990 through December 2004 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 based upon data collected from 1974 to 2003 is

as follows:

TDS = (0.62461 x specifle conductance) + 35.184

(R^ = 0.84, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to derive the missing TDS water-quality sample data for 2004. These derived data are used in the current annual water-quality report.

11
Figure 3.4: Monthly Mean TDS Concentration for 2004

Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-Montli Montlily Conductance Data

Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary

1200

1000

800

600

200

u 947 957

1060 1020 » 987 99 945 977 1Q22 O1000

872

730

Water-quality samples were obtained in May, June, July, and September.

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

for East Poplar River at International Boundary
1200

1000 i

f 800

(0 S

ow

1

600 o

ss Q

S

400

200

1
3.2.5.2 Boron

Similar to TDS, four water-quality samples were collected by the USGS for boron in 2004. The boron

analysis is based on the daily specific-conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor and making use of the boron equation that was developed from water-quality samples collected from

1974-2002. Figure 3.8 shows that during 2004, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at

International Boundary varied from 1.39 mg/L on March 15 to 2.04 mg/L on November 15.

The 3-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 2004. It can be seen that the data derived from water-quality samples and that derived from regression with specific conductance are

similar, with the highs and lows in some degree of correspondence. This suggest 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 5-year moving FWC for boron displayed in Figure 3.10 remained well below the long-term

objective of 2.5 mg/L.

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

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

the water. Accordingly, it appears likely that the standard deviation of dissolved boron (relative to the long-term mean boron concentration) may be greater than that of the major cations (sodium, potassium,

and magnesium) and anions (sulphate, bicarbonate, and chloride) around their respective long-term mean concentrations. Daily boron concentrations for the period December 1990 to December 2004 are shown in Figures 3.11.

The relationship between boron and specific conductance applied to data collected from 1974 to 2002 is

as follows: Boron = (0.00129 x specific conductance) - 0.04709

(R^ = 0.57, n = 617)

14
Figure 3.8: Monthly Mean Boron Concentration for 2004

Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-Month Monthly Conductance Data

Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary

2.20

2.00

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives

Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board 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. As the table shows, all parameters were within the appropriate objectives.

! ^ 17
Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2004 Sampling Program,

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

3.3.1 Operations

SaskPower's supplementary water supply project continued to operate during 2004. The supplementary

water supply project 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. The majority of ground-water production in 2004

occurred during the fall to spring period. This is a typical operational pattern for the project and is done

to minimize water losses. However, as in 2002 and 2003, pumping was maintained through the 2004 summer period due to low spring runoff. In 2004, ground-water production increased to 4,764 dam^

from the 2003 total of 4,489 dam^ Production from 1991 to 2004 has now averaged 4,982 dam^ per

year. Prior to 1991, the wells used for supplementJiry supply were part of a dewatering network for coal-mming operations. This resulted in high production levels in the early to mid 1980's as shown in Figure 3.12. 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.

Poplar River Power Station - Supplementary Supply

1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

Year

Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply

19
SaskPower has an approval for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of 5,500

damVyear. This approval was extended by Saskatchewan Water Corporation 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.

In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project, which is located south of Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil sahnity 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. Ongoing

operational difficulties with the salinity wells resulted in a continued decline in the aimual volume

pumped (Figure 3.13). However, a well-rehabilitation program has been initiated and as a result production in 2004 increased to 557 dam^ from the 426 dam^ pumped from the Soil Salinity Project in 2003. This volume is still substantially lower than the annual production levels obtained in the early to mid- 1 990's when production was near its optimal level.

Well PW87104, which is located on the east side of the river, provided all the production in 2003. In 2004, production was obtained from wells PW87104 and PW90108. SaskPower expects to continue with the rehabilitation program again in 2005.

20
Poplar River Power Station - Salinity Project

i 700

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year

Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Project

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring

Equivalent geologic formations present in Saskatchewan and Montana have different names. A list of

the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana

Geologic Formation Name

Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium

Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium

21
3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

In past years the ground-water response to pumping has been illustrated through a regional drawdown

map prepared by SaskPower. However, the drawdown map prepared for 2003 indicated an apparent

expansion had occurred in the cone of depression in the vicinity of the international boundary. Given

that the 2003 withdrawals were the lowest of the previous 4 years, and one of the lowest since 1991, the apparent expansion was anomalous. This was confirmed by the absence of any significant increases in drawdown in Montana's monitoring wells (Figure 3.16). It was therefore decided to incorporate

hydrographs for several monitoring wells near the border as opposed to the drawdown map. Hydrographs of these selected wells are shown in Figiires 3.14 and 3.15. While there are some

anomalous data points in the hydrographs, they do clearly show that there have not been significant

changes in ground-water levels in the Hart Coal Seam at the international boundary in the past 10 years. Of particular note are monitoring wells M81 1 and M507, both completed in the Hart Coal Seam, along

the international boimdary.

In 2004, no water-level data were obtained from these monitoring wells with the exception of M507.

Therefore, water levels obtained in the spring of 2005 are included.

The goal of the Salinity Control Project is to lower ground-water levels in the Empress sands below

Morrison Dam to approximately pre-reservoir levels. This is equivalent to roughly 2 to 3 metres of drawdown, and was achieved by the end of 1995 and again by the end of 1996. However, reduced

production over the past several years and increased recharge from higher reservoir levels and

precipitation has led to a significant contraction in the project's cone of depression with the cone of

depression being negligible at the end of 2003. The drawdown cone increased somewhat in 2004 as a

result of increased production over 2003, but the area is still limited in extent and magnitude.

22
Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Groundwater Monitoring Network
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 rose during 1997 and 1998, and then leveled off or fell between 1999 and the end of 2003. Heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused water levels to rise to near record highs in most wells during 2004. Hydrographs of selected Fort Union and Hart Coal Seam

wells (6, 7, 17, and 19) are shown in Figure 3.16.

Hydrographs of Selected Wells

Fort Union and Hart Coal Aquifers

2465

°^

2450 "'^^^^*^****^'^^'*^^^^

2445

Oi O ^ CNJ CO

CO CO 00 CO CO GO cocOQcotocQconJcQco

^LOCDf^OOOOi- O3a3a>o>oooo

Year

(0 (0 (0 CQ

-Well 6 (GWIC 4227) -a-Well 7 (GWIC 4267) -A-Well 17 (GWIC 4297) -WelM9(GWIC4290)

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

24
The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 11) has shown very little

fluctuation or change throughout the 26-year (1979-2004) 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 change caused by climate and/or precipitation. Water

levels in wells 5, 10, and 24 responded strongly to the heavy snow accumulation and runoff in early 2004. Water levels in well 8 also responded but upward movement was only about 2 ft. The water level m well 23 rose about 2 ft in response to the snowmelt but dropped back to its late 2003 levels by the end of 2004. Hydrographs of selected alluvial wells (10, 23, and 24) and the Fox Hills/Hell Creek

artesian aquifer well (1 1) are shown in Figure 3.17.

Hydrographs of Selected Wells

Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers

2440

2430

2425

IIIa 2420

« 2415

2410

°^s/s&a^ Js Gtf m TM t^B c^a^^_^ 1^ ,^ ^^3.fls^^3a^aa 0^ [tf 3)3 c^ i^:y-^^jatb 0%

^^w/ylr^'^Vy^r''

_l I I I I I L_ 0)0'^CMW^tn<ot^ooo)QT-cvi«5-intpr-.ooo>Qi-c\jco3!i)tor; t^opcocpopopcoopcpopopaSo)cpo>ao>aa>cpa>pcp<:pooooc^

Year

-Well 10 (GWIC 4340) -b- Well 11 (GWIC 4329) -a- Well 23 (GWIC 124105) -x- Well 24 (GWIC 144835)

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

25
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 2004 is provided in Table

3.3. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are currently under review and are not being reported

until the accuracy of the data has been verified.

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary

Water Supply Project Wells*

.
Average water-quality results from the common discharge point for the Salinity Control Project for 2004

are provided in Table 3.4. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are currently imder review and

are not being reported until the accuracy of the data has been verified.

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

Sampled at the Discharge Pipe*
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 1994 as a result of Ash Lagoon #3 South

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

completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers began in 1995. The limited data so

far do not show any xmusual or imexpected values.

Due to the sampling program reduction approved by Saskatchewan Environment in late 2003 several piezometers previously referenced in this report are no longer monitored. These piezometers are C867A,

C868A, C871A, C886A, C887A, C868B, C869C, and C767.

Piezometers C867A, C868A and C871A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the ash stack of Ash Lagoon #L The 1995-2003 monitoring results of these piezometers 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

surface water of the lagoons. Meaningful information is only available from piezometers installed within Ash Lagoon #1 where ash has been deposited for many years. Monitoring of all piezometers

completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in the future 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 groundwater 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 mound. Piezometers located in the oxidized till suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till.

28
The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till have occurred where

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

suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric levels do indicate ground-water movement. On the west side of the Polishing Pond, the boron levels have changed only

slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, where the chloride levels have changed more significantly. The chloride level for C728A has decreased from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 246 mg/L in

2004. The chloride level for C728D has increased from 185 mg/L in 1983 to 384 mg/L in 2004. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and installed at the same level, they are being

influenced by different water. Chloride results for C728A suggest initial seepage and it is to be expected

that over time the same observation will be seen in C728D.

The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to southeast below Morrison Dam. As a general observation. Empress piezometers respond to changing reservoir

levels. Results for the Empress layer do not indicate seepage activity with the majority of the analyses

showing little real change in boron or chloride concentrations.

Sand lens piezometers C712B and C766 are located the toe of dyke G between the Polishing Pond and

the cooling water canal. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a

preferential pathway for leachate migration of boron concentrations. C766 showed an increasing trend up to October 1988 with a peak of 43.0 mg/L in April 1995. Between 1995 and 2002, the boron

concentrations decHned modestly and remained between 25 and 38 mg/L.

Up to April 1988 the boron concentration for C767 was increasing and peaked at 49.4 mg/L. Since this

peak, the boron concentration steadily decreased to the end of 1991 where it leveled off near 5 mg/L and

remained through 2003 with one exception, a concentration of 1 1.7 mg/L in October 2000.

Piezometer C712B has been monitored for several years. Historically, boron concentrations were below

1 mg/L. From 1992 to 2004, boron concentrations have remained relatively steady around between 12 and 20 mg/L.

29
3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2004. Well 7 is completed in Hart

Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. The

TDS concentration in water from two of the three monitoring wells increased in 2004. Changes in TDS

with time for wells 7, 16, and 24 are shown in Figure 3.18.

Total Dissolved Solids

800

750

a> J 700

a>a

I

650

I* 600 S

S 550

CO 500

(O1 450 o

«5 400 S

350

300
3.4 Cookson Reservoir

3.4.1 Storage

On January 1, 2004, Cookson Reservoir storage was 31,101 dam^ or 72% of the full supply volume. The 2004 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5.

Spring inflows into the reservoir were well below normal in 2004. However, heavy rains during late May and early June generated sufficient runoff to fill the reservoir. A release was initiated in May to meet the recommended Poplar River basin demand release for the 2003-2004 apportionment year. No

releases were required to maintain the recommended apportionment target flow at the International Boundary for the remainder of the year.

In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by ground-water pimiping. Wells in the abandoned west block mine site supplied 4,764 dam^ to Girard Creek. It is estimated that approximately

70% of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 557 daml

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2004

Date
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 2004 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19.

2004 Cookson Reservoir

Daily Mean water Levels

S 749

Fuli;Supply Level
3.5 Air Quality

SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2004 recorded no values greater than Saskatchewan

Environment's one-hour average standard of 0.17 ppm and the 24-hour average standard of 0.06 ppm. The ambient SO2 monitor was replaced in January 2001 which has greatly improved the availability of

this information. The 2004 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 16.2

)ag/m^/24 hours and 2004 was the thirteenth consecutive year of below-average particulate readings.

3.6 Quality Control

3.6.1 Streamflow

No joint current-meter discharge measurements were obtained this year by personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey and Envirormient Canada to confirm streamflow measurement comparability at the East Poplar River at International Boundary site.

3.6.2 Water Quality

Quality-control sampling was not carried out at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to suspension in collection of surface-water-quality samples by Environment Canada this year.

33

ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA-UNITED STATES

Al- 1
Al-2
September 23, 1980

POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

I. PURPOSE

This Arrangement will provide for the exchange of data collected as described in the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules in water-quality, water quantity and air quality monitoring programs being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary

in response to SaskPower development. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of the data in each country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical interpretation.

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

instituted between Canada and the United States in 1976.

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are:

Government of Canada: Environment Canada

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Government of the United States of America: United States Geological Survey Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

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

established to carry out responsibilities assigned to it under this Arrangement. The Committee

will operate in accordance with the following terms of reference:

Al-3
A. Membership

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of

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

participating Governments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the Committee. 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 m 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-4
2. Reports

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint Amiual Report to the participating

governments, and may at any time prepare joint Special Reports.

(b) Armual 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 defmitive 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 aimual and

special reports will be so distributed. Al-5
3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

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

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

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

the Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating monitoring agencies;

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

agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring

Schedules;

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate government in their respective countries any failure to comply with a scheduled monitoring function on the part of any cooperating agency under the jurisdiction of that government,

and requesting that appropriate corrective action be taken.

IV. PROVISION OF DATA

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

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

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

they are responsible.

V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

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

agreement of the participating governments. It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will be renewed thereafter for as long as it is required by the participating governments.

Al-6
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2005

CANADA-UNITED STATES

A2-1
A2-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE A2 - 5

CANADA

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 8

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 10

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY A2 - 14

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- POWER STATION AREA A2 - 16

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- ASH LAGOON AREA

WATER LEVEL A2 - 18 WATER QUALITY A2 - 19 AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32

A2-3
A2-4
PREAMBLE

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

monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for information exchange and

reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange

takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement.

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

Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality at the International Boundary. The Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment

to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments based on the recommendations of the Committee.

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

International Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional information is usually available upon request from the collecting agency and

forms part of the pool of technical information which may be drawn upon by Govenmients for specific study purposes. Examples of additional information are water-quantity, water-quality,

ground-water and air-quality data collected at points in the Poplar River basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In addition, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish and waterfowl populations and aquatic vegetation has been collected on

either a routine or specific-studies basis by various agencies.

A2-5
A2-6
POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2005

CANADA

A2-7
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally

published in surface-water-data publications.

Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada; Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
10 15 KILOMETERS

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-9
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada
LEGEND A SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENT AND

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-11
PARAMETERS

Responsibl^Agency^mivirDni^^

ENVIRODAT*

Code

Analytical Method Sampling Frequency

Station No. 1

lOlSl
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data Collected by: SaskPower
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN

DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Watershed Authority*
5 10 15 KILOMETERS

-i r-l L

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

A2- 15
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA
POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION MONITORING LOCATIONS DECEMBER 2004

Ash Lagoons

LEGEND A EMPRESS -6- SURFACE

LOCATION

A2-17
1 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING—

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MO^^TORING—

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

ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY

Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data Collected by: SaskPower
\
A2-24
POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2005

UNITED STATES

A2-25
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-27
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING
5 10 15 KILOMETERS

I

'—H h

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

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

Responsible Agency:
I
GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology |
GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

A2-33
A2-34
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
A3-2
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 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres per second

(1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to the United

States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June

1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 acrefeet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any

time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st.

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

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

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

A3-3
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 hitemational Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum

delivery of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period commencing

June 1st.

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

14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be

maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic decameters

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

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

(iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period exceeds

14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet) then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be

maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic decameters

(1,000 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period commencing June

1st.

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

A3-4
The natural flow and division periods for apportionment purposes shall be

determined, unless otherwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with

the uses and requirements of both countries.

A3-5
A3-6
ANNEX 4

CONVERSION FACTORS

A4-1