S Poplar River

3T3.91 Bilateral

^t2f>p^a^ Monitoring

, . Annual report of

fnv^f the governaenta of

Canactat United

States*

1984 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION FEB ? 1990

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 1984

PLEASE RETURN

March, 1985
Montana state Ubfaiv

3 0864 1004 5791 3
POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

REPORT TO GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

FOR

CALENDAR YEAR 1984

MARCH, 1985

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

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

Governor's Office, State of Montana

Helena, Montana, United States

Department of External Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saskatchewan Environment

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Gentlemen:

During 1984, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar

River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. Water

quantity, water quality, and air quality relevant to the International Boundary

were monitored in accordance to the 1984 Technical Monitoring Schedule.

The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. Herein is the report of activities of 1984 and the proposed monitoring schedule for 1985. The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project conditions

and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific parameter values

that were developed under International Joint Committee references. References

are made to State, Provincial, or Federal standards or objectives where these

are relevant. After examination and evaluation of the monitoring information

for 1984, the Committee finds that the measured conditions are within the norms

of the accepted objectives.

During 1984, ground-water monitoring in Montana south of the coal mine was intensified to better assess potential transboundary impacts of the cone

of depression associated with coal-seam dewatering. The Committee was informed

that operation of the present mine will be phased out during the next 5 years

and that new mines will be developed 10 to 15 kilometers to the east and northeast of the present mine. A goal of the Committee during 1985 will be to rec- ommend additions and modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedule to ensure that all potential impacts to transboundary waters from the new mine

can be detected and monitored.

This letter serves as as reminder that the initial 5 year term of the Cooperative

Monitoring Arrangement expires in September 1985. Article 5, Terms of Arrangement, addresses the provisions of renewal. Yours sincerely.

/V? cif M^/rw

J. R^ Knapton

Chairman, United States Section

7^

CT

} M-XSL^ At-*'^—

B. Hayden

Member, United States Section

G. w. n6vai

Chairmat^^ C^adian Section

^- .

. , U^t

W. Glimmer Member, Canadian Section

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL . i

1984 HIGHLIGHTS iv

INTRODUCTION 1

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 4 Operation 4 Construction 5 SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 7 Streamflow 7 Minimum Flows 7 Reservoir Storage 9 On-Demand Release 9

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 10 Data Compatibility 10 Flow-Weighted Concentrations for Comparison

to the IJC Objectives 11 East Poplar River at the International Boundary 12 Total Dissolved Solids 12 Boron 14 Other Water Quality Characteristics 16 Cookson Reservoir 18 GROUND WATER QUANTITY 19 Saskatchewan 19 Pumpage from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells 19 Discharges 19 Water Levels 20 Montana 20 GROUND WATER QUALITY 23 Saskatchewan 23 Water Quality in the Tills 23 Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 25 Montana 26 ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 28 AIR QUALITY. 31 Saskatchewan 31 Montana 33 Table 1 - 1984 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2 4 Table 2 - Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1984 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS (ConLi.nued)

Page

Table 3 - Incompatibility of Analytical Results of Four Parameters from the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, September 12, 1984 10

Table 4 - Recommended Water-quality Objectives and Exceedances

and the 1984 Sampling Program, East Poplar River

at the International Boundary 17

Table 5 - 1984 Dewatering Rates from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells .19

Table 6 - Calculated Seepage Rates from Ash Lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 28

Table 7 - Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results during 1984

in Montana 35

Figure 1 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar

River at the International Boundary and Recommended

Minimum Flow 8

Figure 2 - (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration

for TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b) Five-year Long-Term Flow-weighted Concentration for TDS, East Poplar River at the Inter- national Boundary 13

Figure 3 - (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration

for Boron, East Poplar River at the International

Boundary; (b) Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Con- centration for Boron, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 15

Figure 4 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from

Dewatering Activities as of December 1984 21

Figure 5 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations, East Poplar

River Monitoring Piezometers 24

Figure 6 - Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water

Treatment Plant 32

Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Canada-United States.

Annex 2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1985, CanadaUnited States Annex 3 - Metric Conversions

- iii -
1984 HIGHLIGHTS

1984 was the first full year of operation for two 300 megawatt coalfired units. Over 4,180,000 gross megawatt hours of electricity were

generated. The number of start-ups was down to 29 compared to 58 in 1983. As a result the consumption of oil changed from 13,756 to 3,788 tonnes, a 72 percent decrease.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States was exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements

identified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Air quality monitoring in Montana did not start until July in order that the 1 year

of continued funding provided by the Montana Legislature could be

used to monitor the project at near-capacity operation.

The United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar River

throughout the year which exceeded the minimum flow requirements

recommended by the International Joint Commission to Governments.

On April 10, 1984, Montana requested delivery of the 370 cubic deca- metres of on-demand release it is entitled to. The requested amount

was not delivered in the 30-day period requested but was delivered

within 39 days. The runoff in the basin was again well below normal

during 1984.

The boron and total dissolved solids concentrations in the East Poplar River were below the long-term and short-term objectives recom- mended by the International Joint Commission to Governments. There

was one minor exceedance of other water quality objectives recom- mended to Governments by the International Joint Commission. The
dissolved aluminum concentration in a June 17 sample was 0.11 milligram per litre, which was 0.01 milligram per litre above the recom- mended value. Investigations of U.S. Geological Survey and Environment Canada quality assurance data have identified potential i icom- patibility with parameters (boron, lead, zinc, and iron).

The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewataring

moved closer to the International Boundary. Several new observation

wells were established by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

south of the border with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Power Corporation.

The total estimated seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing ponds

was 0.556 litre per second, well below the seepage limits proposed by

the International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate

front has been calculated to have advanced 2.5 metres towards Cookson

Reservoir since the ponds were first filled.

Plant stack emissions did not cause or contribute to violation of Montana, United States, or Saskatchewan ambient air quality standards.

During the year the Saskatchewan Power Corporation sold the coal mine to private interests. The private interests hold coal properties elsewhere in the area and propose to close the existing mine in about 5 years.
INTRODUCTION

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized by the Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River

Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy

of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1.

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

of the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan participate in the activities of the Committee. During 1984, the members and ex- officio members of the Committee were:

Mr. J. R. Knapton

U.S. Geological Survey

Cochairman, U.S. Section

Mr. T. E. Gallagher! Governor's Office

Member, U.S. Section

Mr. C. W. Tande

Daniels County Commissioner

Ex-officio Member, Montana

Mr. Brace Hayden replaced

Mr. T. E. Gallagher in February 1985.

Mr. D. A. Davis

Environment Canada

Cochairman, Canadian Section

(January - September 1984)

Mr. G. W. Howard

Saskatchewan Environment

Member, Canadian Section

(January - September 1984)

Acting Cochairman

(October - December 1984)

Mr. W. D. Gummer Environment Canada

Acting Member, Canadian Section

(October - December 1984)

Mr. J. R. Totton

Reeve, R. M. of Hart Butte Ex-officio Member, Saskatchewan

- 1
The monitoring programs are in response to potential impacts of a transboundary nature resulting from Saskatchewan Power Corporation's

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 both surface water and ground water and for air quality.

Participants from both countries, including Federal, Provincial, and State agencies, are involved in monitoring.

A responsibility of the Committee includes an ongoing quarterly ex- change of data acquired through the monitoring programs. The ex- change of monitoring information was initiated with the first quarter

of 1981, and is an expansion of the informal quarterly inform ition

exchange program initiated between Canada and the United States in

1976. Special reports dealing with aspects of monitoring and Monitoring results are sometimes published. Any such reports are reviewed

annually by the Committee. No such reports were received b> the Committee in 1984. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the agencies of the participating governments or from Committee members.

The Committee also is responsible for 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, with the report for 1984 being the fourth report 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.

- 2 -
Another responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of

the monitoring programs in both countries and make recommendations to Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The Schedules are updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications in sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the forthcoming year. The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change.

- 3
POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION

Operation

The two units operated for the full reporting period. The 1984 oper- ating statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1:

Table 1. 1984 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and

No. 2

Unit 1 Unit 2

Hours of Operation

Gross MWhr Generated

Availability (hours) (percent)

Capacity Factor(percent)

Number of Start Ups

Coal Consumed (tonnes)

Oil Consumed (tonnes) Hours in Period

7
The sulphur content of the No. 2 fuel oil consumed at the Poplar

River Power Station varied from 0.06 to 0.08 percent in 1984.

On May 16, 1984 approximately 3 200 litres of Ferri-Floc solution

(50 percent Fe2 (804)3) were spilled as a result of a drain pipe

failure on a holding tank. The spill was contained upstream of the first spill containment structure in the ditch south of the plant.

Spill cleanup procedures were implemented and none of the spill

materials entered Cookson Reservoir.

Construction

Concrete and stoplog overflow structures were constructed between No.

1 and No. 2 ash lagoons and between No. 2 ash lagoon and the polishing pond. The structures provide better ash lagoon water level control and improve the lagoon management system. A waste water pond,

overflowing into the polishing pond, was created at the northwest

corner of No. 1 ash lagoon to facilitate the revised lagoon operating

regime. The work was completed in October 1984.

An online ball type recirculation condenser cleaning system was purchased, installed on Unit 2 and commissioned in October 1984. The

cleaning system, using charges of plain sponge rubber balls and in- termittent charges of ceramic coated balls, mechanically removes

scale and marine growth from the circulating water side of the con- denser tubes. The balls are continuously injected into the condenser

cooling water inlet, circulated through the condenser tubes, collected by a screen in the condenser cooling water outlet, and pumped

back to the inlet. Scale inhibitor chemical dosing at the condenser

inlet was discontinued.

5 -
The Saskatchewan Power Corporation assisted in the installation of seven piezometers in Montana during the period September 6, 1984 to September 25, 1984. The piezometer locations were selected by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology,

The Poplar River Coal Mine near Coronach was purchased by Prairie

Coal Limited in 1984.

Coal mining is expected to continue at the site to the west of Girard

Creek until December 1989. Additional mine dewatering wells are expected to be installed in 1985.

By 1990, mining operations are expected to be relocated to the Willow

Bunch South Mine (east of the upper end of Cookson Reservoir) or to the Willow Bunch North Mine (located north of Cookson Reservoir).

Both areas have a better quality coal and are expected to be drier

than the Poplar River Mine.

- 6 -
SURFACE WATER QUANTITY

Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal during 1984,

assuming the recorded flow of the Poplar River at the International

Boundary is a good indicator of basin runoff conditions. The March

to October recorded flow volume at that gauge was 8 790 cubic deca- metres (dam ), or 53 percent of the 1931-83 average, and would have

been one of the lowest on record except for a single period of rainfall in June which produced about 2 800 dam of runoff.

Dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine have resulted in a small quantity of water being discharged into Goose Creek, a tributary of the Poplar River. Little, if any, of this water reached the International Boundary in 1984.

The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary for 1984 was 2 900 dam^, or 20 percent of the mean annual

flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975.

Minimum Flows

The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International

Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1984 was 5 480 dam . For the pur- poses of interpreting the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the recorded flow is assumed to be the natural flow. Based on these

recommendations, this volume entitled the United States to a minimum
discharge of 0.057 cubic metre per second (m-'/s) from June 1 to August 31, 1984 and 0.028 m^/s from September 1, 1984 to May 31, 1985 on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. The

March 1 to May 31, 1983 Poplar River volume had previously entitled

the United States to a minimum flow of 0.028 m^/s for the first 5 months of 1984.

The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary exceeded the recommended minimum throughout the year. A minimum

daily discharge of 0.065 m /s occurred on several days in July,

August, and December.

A hydrograph of flow in the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary is depicted in Figure 1. The minimum flow as recommended

by the IJC is also shown.

"T 1 1 r -1 r

0.057 iiiV« 3,./

Apportionintnt ricommtndotion for minimuin flow 0.028 mV»^,y

JAN I FEB I MAR | APR [ MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG I SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC"

1984

Figure 1. Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow.
Reservoir Storage

Cookson Reservoir was near the full-supply level all year, rising

from an elevation of 752.320 metres (m) on January 1 to a maximum

water level of 752.836 m on April 15. Elevations and volumes of stored water for selected dates are given in Table 2.

Table 2. Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1984

Elevation Volume

Date (1984) (metres) (cubic decametres)

January 1 752.320 38,300

April 15 752.836 42,200

December 31 752.149 37,000

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43,400

Storage decreased during the year by 1 300 dam-^, and would have de- creased even more during the hot and dry summer if base flows in Girard Creek had not been maintained by dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine. These flows assisted in offsetting the evaporative losses and releases from the reservoir. Based on present conditions, most of the predicted runoff for 1985 can be stored in the reservoir.

On-Demand Release

Based on the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the United

States is entitled to an on-demand volume of 617 dam-^ at any time

from June 1, 1984 to May 31, 1985. As of December 31, 1984 Montana

had not requested this release. The on-demand volume entitlement for 1983 of 370 dam^ was requested on April 10, 1984 to be delivered

April 15 to May 15. This volume was delivered April 16 to May 24.
SURFACE WATER QUALITY

Data Compatibility

The 1984 surface water quality data indicate that most of the analytical and sampling procedures of the U.S. Geological Survey and Environment Canada are generally compatible, although data indicate

significant differences in four parameters for one sampling period

(Table 3). Quality assurance sampling was conducted at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary by the two agencies on September 12, 1984 and provided triplicate samples for analysis by

each of the respective laboratories.

Table 3. Incompatibility of Analytical Results of Four Parameters

from the East Poplar River at the International Boundary,

September 12, 1984 [units are reported in milligrams per litre (mg/L) and micrograms per litre (yg/L)]

Parameter \ Triplicates

Environment

Canada

1 2 3

U.S. Geological

Survey

1 2 3

Boron (mg/L) Iron - dissolved (ug/L)

Lead - (yg/D*

Zinc - (yg/L)*

1.3 1.3 1. 80 80 100

< 1 < 1 < 1 2 2 2

1.8 1.8 1. 11 14 12

1 5 7 6 7 5

*Note - U.S. Geological Survey reports dissolved. Environment Canada

reports total

The most important analytical incompatibility was with boron where

concentrations differed by more than 30 percent. A comparison of field to laboratory specific conductances suggests that field instru-

- 10
mentation requires assessment. It is difficult to comment on the compatibility of methods relating to zinc and lead, because the Geological Survey uses a dissolved method and Environment Canada uses a total method. Although the data appear incompatible, the concentrations were near laboratory detection levels and well below the pro- posed objectives (Table 4). The agency results for dissolved iron were incompatible during the September quality assurance survey. Because of the low concentrations for lead and zinc and the fact that iron is not addressed in the objectives, only boron is a major

concern of the sample results.

Particular attention will be given by government agencies in 1985 to further clarify the interagency compatibility for the above noted

parameters.

Flow-Weighted Concentrations for Comparison to the IJC Objectives

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to October period, a maximum flow-weighted

concentration should not exceed 3.5 mg/L for boron, and

1 500 mg/L for total dissolved solids for any three con- secutive months in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

.

For the March to October period, a 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 Bast Poplar River at the International

Boundary

.

11 -
Compliance of the East Poplar River water quality with the proposed

short-terra objectives for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) is tested by calculating the 3-inonth (90-day) moving flow-weighted con- centration for each and advancing 1 month at a time while dropping

the first month of the 3-month period. Prior to 1982, determination

of compliance was based strictly on instantaneous samples. Since

the beginning of 1982, daily TDS and boron concentrations have been

computed from a regression relationship with specific conductance.

However, the data from both instantaneous samples and from calculation of TDS and boron have been presented.

The Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the approach that for the purpose of determining compliance with the proposed IJC long-term

objectives, the boron and TDS data are best presented as a 5-year,

flow-weighted moving average which is advanced 1 month at a time.

East Poplar River at the International Boundary

Total Dissolved Solids

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1 500 milligrams per litre (mg/L). A plot of the 3-raonth moving flow-weighted concentrations is shown in Figure 2. No exceedances occurred in 1984 at the International Boundary. The maximum 3-month, flow-weighted concen- tration during the irrigation season was 869 mg/L. The calculated

minimum observed was 734 mg/L. The observed relationship between

TDS and specific conductance is:

TDS = (0.654 X specific conductance - 6.86) (R^ = 0.902)

The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS are shown in Figure 2. The long-term, flow-weighted values, as well as

- 12 -
leOOr SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE (1500 mg/L)

1400 -

1200 3 1000 J 800

O

t- 800

400

200

(o) ¥ sampl* data

• calculatad data

+f+% V

1975 76 77 78 79 80 TIME

81 82 83 1984

1000
all the observed instantaneous concentrations, remained woll below

the proposed objective of 1 000 mg/L.

Boron

The proposed short-term objective for boron is 3.5 mg/L. Figure 3 shows the 3-month moving flow-weighted concentrations for boron.

There were no exceedances over the period of record (1975 to 1984).

The maximum 3-month, flow-weighted concentration for boron during

the 1984 irrigation period calculated from the regression equation

was 1.79 mg/L. Using the instantaneous data set a maximum boron

concentration was calculated to be 1.86 mg/L.

Boron concentrations used in the flow-weighting computation were calculated from daily specific conductance values, using the regression

equation:

B = (0.00149 X specific conductance) -0.31 (R^ = 0.79)

The trend in each annual curve is similar. As autumn approaches, the 3-month, flow-weighted concentrations rise gradually as the ground water contribution accounts for a greater percentage of the streamflow. In 1984, however, the dip in concentration during spring runoff is less pronounced than in most previous years, probably owing

to a comparatively small amount of spring runoff.

The long-terra, 5-year moving flow-weighted mean concentration is pre- sented in Figure 3. Each point is plotted at the midpoint of a 5- year period, advancing 1 month at a time through the data set. Although only the irrigation season (March to October) was of concern

to the IJC, all yearly values are included in Figure 3, to better

- 14 -
4r3 -
present the long-term trends in tlie data. The 5-year, moving f! 5w- weighted concentration for boron does not exceed the 2.5 mg/L recom- mended long-term objective. The maximum value for the period, 1975

to December 1984, is 1.46 mg/L, plotted for January 1979.

Other Water Quality Characteristics

Table 4 shows the multi-purpose water quality objectives recommended

by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. The number of samples collected for each parameter by Canadian and United States agencies is also shown. One dissolved aluminum concen- tration of 0.11 rag/L was reported on the 17th of June. This single

value is not considered to be significant, however, as it is only

0.01 mg/L above the objective of 0.10 mg/L. Other than this one anomalous value, the recommended objectives were met for the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

The inverse relationship on the East Poplar River that existed

between specific conductance and streamflow prior to construction of Cookson Reservoir remains, but has been modified somewhat as a result

of reservoir mixing and controlled releases. During periods of high

runoff, such as the spring freshet, the specific conductance de- creases, 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 proportionately greater. Because the natural ground water has a higher ionic

strength than does the surface water entering the river, the specific

conductance of the stream increases markedly during periods of reduced flow.

With the exception of a sample taken on August 8, 1984, the Environment Canada data indicated that the mercury content was at or below

16 -
Table 4. Recommended Water-quality Objectives and Exceedances and

the 1984 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the In- ternational Boundary (units in milligrams per litre,

except as otherwise noted).
the analytical detection limit of 0.02 inicrogram per litre

(yg/L). The reported value of 0.06 Ug/L observed on August 8, was anomalous, but still is much less than the proposed objective of 0.2 Ug/L. Uranium data for 1984 are unavailable for the East Poplar River at the International Boundary but based on historical

data are believed to be typical of background concentrations found

in surface waters.

Cookson Reservoir

Data submitted quarterly by Saskatchewan Environment indicate that

the TDS and boron concentrations of Cookson Reservoir discharge

remained below 1 000 and 2.5 mg/L, respectively. The observed boron

and TDS concentrations at the sampling site in the reservoir near

the dam are generally somewhat higher than those observed at the up- stream station near Highway 36, during 1984. As follow-up to its work in September 1983, Environment Canada conducted further sampling

for mercury in water and sediment of Cookson Reservoir during 1984. Preliminary results on the samples indicate mercury levels in water

to be below the analytical detection limit. A detailed report on the results of these mercury analyses is in preparation.

18 -
GROUND WATER QUANTITY

Saskatchewan

Pumpage from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells

The monthly pumpages from the coal dewatering wells are shown in Table 5.

Table 5. 1984 Dewatering Rates from Coal Seam Dewatering Wells

Month

January

February

March

April

May

June July

August

September

October

November

December
into Cookson Reservoir, and one discharge was into a tributary of Goose Creek. None of this water reached the main stem of Goose

Creek.

Water Levels

Saskatchewan Power Corporation compiled a map (Figure 4) of the water level drawdown in the Hart Coal Seam, dated December 31, 1984.

The drawdown advanced somewhat towards the International Boundary.

The 1-m contour of water level drawdown on the December 31, 1984 map

was about 1.8 kilometres (km) north of the International Boundary,

compared to 2.4 km a year earlier. The 5-m contour of water level drawdown was about 4.8 km north of the International Boundary,

compared to 5.2 km in December 1983. Maximum drawdown of the water

level in the Hart Coal seam at the pumping centre is 25 m.

Montana

Water levels in wells declined during most of 1984 in response to decreased precipitation, but the levels were rising in late 1984 with

the exceptions of wells 5 and 6. Except for the possible effect on wells 5 and 6, there appears to be no impact from dewatering operations.

The Daniels County Conservation District obtained funding for the

- 20 -
loeoao

49»00 —

6 KILOMETERS

Figure 4. Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from Dewatering

Activities as of December 1984.

21 -
East Fork Poplar River Ground-Water Monitoring Program in 1984. The funds were provided by the Montana Coal Board. Ground-water quantity

and quality are being monitored utilizing 21 observation wells.

In 1984, 11 observation wells were drilled and added to the original

network of 10 wells (Figure 4). Seven of these wells were drilled by

the Saskatchewan Power Corporation. Nine wells were cased with 4-

inch PVC and two with 2-inch PVC. Gamma, density and resistivity

logs were run on all of the boreholes by the Saskatchewan Power

Corporation.

Some development work on the wells was performed after drilling, but

not sufficient to obtain good water quality samples. This work will

be continued in the spring of 1985 when water will be sampled from

these wells.

- 22
GROUND WATER QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ground water sampling continued in 1984 at the locations specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Piezometer C726B is considered

to be naturally anomalous due to local soil conditions. Because of the extremely high and variable levels for major ions observed in this piezometer over the period of record, sampling was discontinued

at the end of 1983.

Water Quality in the Tills

Waters from the tills are of generally poorer quality than those

from the Empress Gravels. This is illustrated in Figure 5, where

TDS has been plotted for each piezometer. The higher, and more variable concentrations were associated with piezometers completed

in till, whereas TDS levels in the Empress-completed piezometers

rarely exceed 1 200 mg/L. The differences in concentration observed

both spatially and temporally in the tills can be attributed to localized geochemical conditions adjacent to the piezometer intakes.

Piezometer C712B at location 2a, just to the north of the polishing

pond, does not display any consistent variation, or trend in water

quality. Aluminum, boron, and strontium appear to have reached a yearly maximum in the July 4, 1984 sampling, but these values de- crease again in the October 10, 1984 sampling. Locations 2b and 2c,

also to the north of the polishing pond, likewise display no consistent water quality trends over the October 1983 to October 1984 period.

23 -
I I i i i I I i i

I I i i : I I i i

Q ^

I /

H 1-

K,

7> >

/

/

/

/

/ /

Of 4 \ \ \

\

m.

^,

k^v

-^i^<,

- 24 -
At location 9a, at the west end of the polishing pond, piezometer

C728B shows somewhat elevated levels of uranium in the July 5, 1984 and October 12, 1984 samplings. These higher than usual values have

occurred sporadically in samplings of previous years (for instance

October 1982), but are not considered to be representative of any significant trend. Similar variability in uranium concentrations

during 1984 is noted for piezometer C728C. Significant concentration

trends with respect to uranium or to any other parameters in C728B or C728C are not apparent.

At location 8a, at the western edge of the ash lagoon No. 1, monitoring was discontinued in piezometer C726B after 1983, because of extremely high levels of various ions measured, and because of the extreme variability in concentration observed over time. It was assumed that these high concentrations and extreme variability were

of a natural origin. Other piezometers completed in till at location

8a (C726A, C726C) display much more moderate hydrochemical variation.

No particular trends in water quality have been noted over the period

of record for either piezometer.

In piezometer C534, monitoring was continued in 1984. Iron and zinc

analyses were discontinued, due to contamination from the galvanized

steel casing. No significant trends were evident in any parameter

over the entire period of record.

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels

The Empress Gravels form an important aquifer in the East Poplar

River Basin. The associated ground waters are of a moderately high

- 25
alkalinity, and a predominantly calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type.

Sulphate is the second most abundant anion.

At locations 2a (piezometer C726E), 9a (piezometer 728E), C533, C741, and C742, no significant overall water quality trends are apparent.

During the 1984 meeting, the Bilateral Monitoring Committee recognized

that, due to the galvanized steel pipe used in the construction of C533, iron and zinc concentrations from that piezometer have been

unreliable. These two parameters, therefore, have not been reported

in 1984.

Due to the absence of consistent water quality trends in the Empress

Gravel, it appears that no significant amount of leakage from the lagoons, into the gravels, has occurred.

Montana

Water quality sampling was conducted in September 1984. Wells 5 through 11 were sampled utilizing a submersible pump; wells 3 and 4 using a gas lift sampler; and well 2 was bailed due to the depth of water.

The ground-water chemistry appears to be stable from year to year. Sulfide greater than 0.1 mg/L was detected only in samples from the two Fox Hills-Hell Creek wells (4 and 11) and from one Hart Coal well

(2). The sulfide and sulfate values were used to calculate the redox potential for these three samples. These three waters all lie

in the pyrite stability field. The water in well 11 is also satu- rated with respect to siderite. The high iron content (0.5 mg/L) of

- 26 -
water from well 11 may be at least partly due to the use of steel

casing for that well. Additionally, well 2 still contains anomalous

amounts of zinc (about 2 mg/L) believed to have been introduced during drilling.

- 27
ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY

The ash lagoon system at the Poplar River Power Plant continues to be operated on a closed system basis, with no discharges to surface

waters. During 1984 sluiced ash was directed into both ash lagoons

No. 1 and No. 2. In early fall, modifications to the control structure permitted series operation of ash lagoon No. 1, ash lagoon No.

2, and the polishing pond. Water from the polishing pond is returned

to the plant for ash sluicing. Water depths in the operational ash

lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 were in the 4.8-5.7 m and 2.3-3.1 m ranges, respectively.

Seepage was again calculated in 1984 using the methods developed by

T. A. Prickett, P. E. of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the calculations for the ash lagoons No. 1 and No. 2 and the polishing pond are given in table 6.

Table 6. Calculated Seepage Rates from Ash Lagoons No. 1 and No. 2

Source Rate (L/s)

Polishing Pond 0.183

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.143

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.230

TOTAL SEEPAGE 0.556

Although the calculated seepage appears to reflect the loading

effects from ash lagoon No. 2, the total is well below the seepage

limits (5.0 L/s to Cookson Reservoir and 2.0 L/s to the East Poplar

River) proposed in 1979 by the International Poplar River Water Qual-
ity Board of the IJC. The permeabilities of ash lagoon No. 1 and

No. 2 and polishing pond liners were calculated and found to be in the same order of magnitude (10~ cm/s) as originally calculated

by T. A. Prickett.

The leachate front advancement towards the reservoir is calculated to be 2.5 m since the ponds were initially filled. The water front in the Empress formation is calculated to have advanced to 484 m southeast of the lagoons. Based on Empress formation water chemistry

information, lagoon effects were not observed. Leachate flow to Cookson Reservoir and to the East Poplar River was zero.

Saskatchewan Environment requires that Saskatchewan Power Corporation

maintain the stability of the ash system lagoon dykes. In addition

to the daily and monthly visual inspections, an annual investigation

by a geotechnical engineer was conducted in early May 1984. The mini- mum freeboard of 1.47 m was exceeded in the polishing pond during two periods and in ash lagoon No. 1 in December 1984. The problem in the polishing pond was remedied by water transfer to ash lagoon No. 2. The level in Ash Lagoon No. 1 remained high because this lagoon is now full of ash. New control structures including the previous

internal dyke (Lagoon No. 1 - Polishing pond) breach repair were com- pleted in early fall to facilitate recirculation capabilities.

Saskatchewan Power Corporation has, since May 1983, undertaken analyses of filtered ash lagoon water samples to obtain appropriate information on potential leachate quality. Analysis of ash was also ob- tained. Based on 1983 and 1984 data comparisons, the expected in- creases in the ash lagoons and the polishing pond occurred for: sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, total dissolved solids, aluminum, boron, chromium, and zinc.

29
Ash lagoon No. 3 was not used in 1984 but 1 to 2 m of water were maintained in the lagoon to protect the clay liner from dessication

and freezing.

30
AIR QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. To date, a few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this

site. There were two high concentrations during 1984, both occurring

on June 22, at 1100 and 1200 hours. The levels were 20.3 and 17.0 parts per hundred million (pphm) respectively. Saskatchewan Environment's 1 hour air quality standard is 17.0 pphm (Figure 6). Weather

information for this day indicates that winds for the entire 24 hour

period were blowing mainly from the northwest quadrant. Since the plant is located south of the monitoring station it is unlikely that

the plant was the source of the high readings. The source of the two readings has not been determined. The next highest reading of 6.0 pphm occurred on May 2 at 1830 hours. Weather information for this

day indicates winds blowing from the southeast quadrant for the entire 24 hour period, which would indicate the power plant as the main source.

Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach exceeded Saskatchewan Environment's 24-hour average standard of 120 micrograms per cubic metre (yg/m^) on six occasions, as compared to four in 1983. In four of the cases, April 24, 30, and May 12, 24, weather information indicated winds blowing predominantly from the northwest quadrant,

suggesting that the power plant was not the main source. Wind blown

dust from fields north of the monitoring site was the most probable

source. The other two instances occurred on June 29 and December 20. Weather data for these 2 days indicated wind directions mainly from

the south, suggesting the power plant as a possible source of dust

emissions. Power plant operating summaries for December 20 note a power trip of Unit No. 2 precipitator which caused violations of the opacity standard. However, the highest concentration in Montana was

- 31 -
SAMAICHIUAII lUXlMJM HOURLV SO] AID QUAIIK DAT* COMMKN MICII TRCATICIIT PLANT

HNANJJA$0ilDHN)kNiJ*s6il6JFNAMJJAS0ilDHNANJJH6)l6HilANJ^

IWO I )9ei

I IM?

I 1M3 I 1984

SAWATCHtUAN NAXIMUH OAILT SO; AIR guAlIT* DATA COROMCH MTED TREATICNT RIANT

SASKATCHEMAN 24 MOW STAWARD -

A..

Nltttng Dttt JFNAMJJASOIIOJFNANJJASOIIOJrNANJJASOIIDJrNANJJASOIIOJFItANJJASaNO

I IMO

I IMII IM2 j IM)

I IM4

|

Figure 6. Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water Treatment

Plant.

- 32 -
also observed on December 20. The 1984 annual geometric mean of 39.8

Ug/m-^ is still well below the Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 pg/m^.

In-stack monitoring results showed less variance in 1984, as a result

of improvements in plant operations. Daily nitrogen oxide concentrations ranged from 620 to 1 593 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with

an average yearly concentration of 800 mg/m-^ as compared to 900 mg/m^

in 1983. However, operating problems continued to plague the nitrogen oxides monitor in 1984. As a result data from April to December

are questionable and may represent only 50 percent of actual values.

Daily sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 2 168 to 3 120 mg/m-^

with an average yearly concentration of 2 600 mg/m-^ as compared to

2 750 mg/m^ in 1983. Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 1.3 x

10~^ tonnes per megawatt hour due to firing on coal and 1.5 x 10 tonnes per megawatt hour due to firing on oil.

Average daily opacity readings ranged from 18 to 76 percent, with a yearly average of 22 percent. Saskatchewan's opacity standard is 40 percent. In most instances, opacity violations occurred when one of

the precipitators experienced a power trip.

Montana

The State of Montana operated three primary air monitoring sites and

five additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of Montana from July 1984 through December 1984. The parameters monitored included: sulfur dioxide, total suspended particulate, fine

particulates, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind direction, and temperature. Poplar River air monitoring did not start until July of 1984 because the 1983 Montana Legislature provided funding for only 1

- 33 -
additional year of monitoring which was to commmence when both

Coronach units sustained near-capacity operation. The monitoring

results are summarized in Table 7.

During the last half of 1984, sulfur dioxide concentrations remained

less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality standards. The maximum 1-hour concentration of 8.5 pphm was recorded at the International Boundary site during November. This concentration

is approximately one-sixth of the Montana standard. The highest

24-hour concentration of 1.2 pphm also occurred at the International

Boundary site, but during August. The Montana 24-hour standard is 10 pphm. A comparison of sulfur dioxide concentrations with Class

11 Prevention of Significant Deterioration increments demonstrates

that the 24-hour concentration is the averaging time which consumes

the most increment. The 1.2 pphm 24-hour average at the International Boundary site would consume 35 percent of the available increment.

All of the higher sulfur dioxide concentrations noted above occurred

with northwest winds, indicating that the Saskatchewan Power Corporation generating facilities were the source.

The Montana and United States standards for total suspended particulates were not exceeded at any of the three monitoring sites. The

highest 24-hour concentration was 114 Ug/m recorded on December 20,

1984, at the Richardson site. The Hanrahan site recorded the highest

geometric and arithmetic means at 19.4 and 27.3 Mg/m-^, respectively.

The levels of total suspended particulates observed during 1984 are low and representative of rural Montana.

In July 1984, an extended network of lead dioxide sulfation plates

was installed in the Poplar River area. The sulfation plate network

included the existing three primary monitoring sites and five addi-

- 34 -
Table 7. Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results during 1984 in Montana.

Sulfur Dioxide (pphm)

Site Highest 1-hr. Highest 3-hr. Highest 24-hr . Annual Average

Border (6)1

Hanrahan (6)^ 8.5 4.8

4.4

3.2

1.2

1.0

0.1 0.2

Sulfation Rate (mg/100 cm^/day)

Site
tional locations: the Microwave Tower, Flaxville, the TV Tower, Four

Buttes, and Scobey Downtown. The objectives were to use sulfation

rates to obtain a broad geographical indication of sulfur dioxide

concentrations and to investigate the relationship between sulfation

rate and sulfur dioxide concentrations. Montana anticipates that funding will not be available in the future for continuous sulfur

dioxide monitoring. Therefore, Montana hoped that sulfation rate might prove to be an inexpensive substitute.

Over the last 6 months of 1984, sulfation rates were only slightly

above detectable levels. The highest monthly value was 0.080 "nilli- gram per 100 centimetre squared per day (mg/100 cm^/day) at the Scobey downtown site during November. Although levels were low,

there appears to be a direct relationship between sulfation rate and sulfur dioxide at the Border site. Similar data from the Hanrahan

site indicates no relationship.

36 -
ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA - UNITED STATES

- 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 quantity monitoring programs being

conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International

Boundary in response to the Saskatchewan Power Corporation 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

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

Survey Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

HI. 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 accor- dance 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 Governments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the Committee. Cochairmen may by mutual agreement

invite agency technical experts to participate in the work of the Committee.

2 -
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 may recommend

to the Canadian and United States Governments any modifications to improve the technical monitoring schedules.

1. Information Exchange

Each Cochairman will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart Cochairman on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis,

the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accor- dance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

2. Reports

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

Reports.

(b) Annual Reports will

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

the Arrangement;

ii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any definitive changes in the monitored parameters, based on collation and technical interpretation of exchanged data

(i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other

appropriate techniques);

iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any recommendations regarding the adequacy or redundancy of any scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals regarding

modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based

on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including

analytical methods to ensure their comparability.

- 3 -
c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of participating governments definitive changes in monitored parameters

which may require immediate attention,

d) Preparation of Reports

Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee

members and will be signed by all Committee members. Reports

will be separately forwarded by the Committee Cochairmen to the participating governments. All annual and special reports will

be so distributed.

3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

The Canadian and United States section will be separately responsible

for:

(a) dissemination of information within their respective countries,

and the arrangement of any discussion required with local elected officials;

(b) verification that monitoring operations are being carried out in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating

monitoring agencies;

(c) receipt and collation of monitored data generated by the cooperating monitoring agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules;

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

- 4
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1985

CANADA - UNITED STATES

- 1 -

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1985

CANADA

- 5 -
STREAMFLOW MOM [TORINO

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

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

No. on Station Name
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS

- 7 -
SURFACE UATHR ijUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

No. on Map

234

5

Stat ion No. (31SK02000002 00SK02000012

0SSK02000008 05SK02000004

00SK02000003

OOSA11AE0008

Station Name

Fife Lake Overflow

Glrard Creek South of Town of Coronach

Upper End of Cookaon Reservoir at Highway 36 Cookson Reservoir near Dam

East Poplar River at culvert Immediately below Cookaon Reservoir

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Parameters Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

ESQUADAT*

Code "nrm

10101 13004 33004

06201

05451 48002

20103

06052 06005

06301 17203

06711 24004

36012

36002

02041 29005 09105 82002

12102

80011 42005

07015

10401 10501 28002 07110

06521 08102

15406

19103 34005

11002 16306

10451 0206YZ

23004

30005

10301

Parameter Alkallnlty-pheno

Alkallnlty-tot

Aluminum tot Arsenic-tot

Blcarbonates

Boron- tot Cadmium-tot

Calcium Carbon-tot Inorg Carbon-tot Org

Carbonates

Chloride Chlorophyll 'a' Chromium- tot Conform- fee Collform-tot Conductivity

Copper- tot Flourlde

Lead-tot Magnesium

Mercury- tot Molybdenum

N-TKN

NFR

NFR (F) Nickel-tot

Nitrate + NO2

Oil and Grease Oxygen-dlss

Phosphorus -tot Potassium

Selenium- Ext Sodium Sulphate

TDS Temperature

Vanadium-tot

Zinc-tot

pH
PARAMETERS (.^.unt Inued)

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

^

Leeeno

ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

- 11 -
GROUND WATEt QUALITY WH ITORIWC

Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment Sampling Frequency: Annually
R.27 R26

SCALE

900 lOOC Mttrtt

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING

13
GROUND WATER PIKZOHKTERS TO MONITOR

POTENTIAL DRAVfDOWN DUE TO COAL SBAH DKWATBRING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

SPC Piezometer No.
r

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

- 15 -
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Frequency of Measurement

All piezometer levels

are measured quarterly
R. 27 r.26

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION ASH LAGOON MONITORING STUDY

PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES

SCHEDULE "A" PIEZOMETERS IN TILL

- 17 -
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA AND INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AREA

SCHEDULE B - PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Station

Immediate Ash Lagoon Area

SPC Piezometer No.

1
R. 27 R.?6

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION ASH LAGOON MONITORING STUDY

PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES

SCHEDULE "B" PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL

- 19 -
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

No» on Map

1

Location

Coronach

Parameters Reporting Frequency

Sulphur Continuous monitoring with

Dioxide hourly averages as summary

statistics.

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulates

Total Suspended 24 hour samples on a 6 Particulates day cycle.

Saskatchewan Environment

Colourimetric Titration

Saskatchewan Environment

High Volume Method

- 20 -
L feeNO

AHSIENT *m OUALITT MONITORING

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

- 21 -
SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

No. on Map Station Location Parameters Sampling Frequency

1 At Poplar River Sulphur Dioxide Continuous reported Power Plant Nitrogen Dioxide, as Hourly Averages

Opacity.

METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment

Ultraviolet Absorption

Nitrogen Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment

Chemi luminescence

Opacity Saskatchewan Environment

Optical

- 22 -
R.27 R26

SCALf

SOO lOOOMtlrtt

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

23

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1985

UNITED STATES

- 25 -
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey

No. on Map Station Number Station Name

1 06178000 (11AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary

26 -
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS

27
SURPACe WATER QUALITY MONITORIHC

Station location Roponalblc Afancy: U.S. Caologtcat Survey

No. on Map

12

3

uses Station

06178000 06178500

06179000

Station Ha»« roplar River at Intcrnatloaal Boundary

EaaC Poplar River at International Boundary

Eaat Poplar River near Scobey

PARAMETERS

WATSTORE'
SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

29 -
CROUHD WATER QUALITY HOMtTomNC

Station Location* Responsible Agency: Montane Bureau of Nines and CcoLofy
31 -
GROUND WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR

POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

No. on Map Sampling

2 to 22 Determine water levels

quarterly

32 -
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITER POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

- 33 -
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING Responsible Agency: State of Montana

Air Quality Bureau

No. on Map

1

Location

International

Boundary

Hanrahan

3
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

ANNEX 3

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1 -
METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS

ac 4,047 m2 » 0.4047 ha

ac-ft - 1,233.5 m^ - 1.2335 dam^

C « 1.8 F' cm = 0.3937 in.

CTn2 - 0.155 in2

dam^ " 1,000 m^ - 0.8107 ac-ft

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10"\^

ha « 10,000 m2 = 2.471 ac hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft

hm^ = 1 X 10^ m^ I.gpm - 0.0758 L/g

in " 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb * 1.1 x 10"^ tons km - 0.62137 miles

km2 = 0.3861 mi2 L - 0.3532 ft3 = 0.21997 I. gal » 0.26420 U.S. gal

L/a = 0.035 cfs » 13.193 I.gpm * 15.848 U.S. gpm m » 3.2808 ft

m^ - 10.7636 ft^^

m^ - 1,000 L - 35.3144 ft^ - 219.97 I. gal " 264.2 U.S. gal

m^/s - 35.314 cfs nm - 0.00328 ft

tonne * 1,000 kg - 1.1023 ton (short)

U.S. gpm " 0.0631 L/s

For Air Samples

ppm 100 pphm = 1000 X (Molecular Weight of 8ubstance/24.45) mg/m^

- 2 -

^ -*', -,.