S Poplar Biver 

333.91 Bilateral 

M7fiprar Monitoring 

Annual report of 
the jovernoients of 
Canadat United 
States* 



l<51'&^ 



1986 ANNUAL REPORT 

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION 

FEB : 1990 

*° *^® MONTANA SiAlL 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 1986 



June. 1987 



Montana Stale Ubrary 



3 0864 1004 5788 9 



POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



REPORT TO GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 



SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



FOR 



CALENDAR YEAR 1986 



JUNE, 1987 



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 1986, 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 1986 Technical Monitoring 
Schedule. The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. Herein is 
the report of activities of 1986 and the proposed monitoring schedule for 1987. 

The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project conditions 
and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific parameter values 
that were developed by the International Joint Commission under the 1977 
Reference from Canada and the United States. References are made to State, 
Provincial or Federal standards or objectives where these are relevant. After 
examination and evaluation of the monitoring information for 1986, the 
Committee finds that the measured conditions are within the norms of the 
accepted objectives. 

During 1986, monitoring continued with only minor changes in site locations 
and schedules from 1985 . Two new mining areas to the east and north of 
Cookson Reservoir are being assessed for future development. The impact 
statement is currently under review within the Saskatchewan Government and 
will be available to the Committee in the summer of 1987. Upon review of the 
report, the Committee may recommend modifications to the Technical Monitoring 
Schedules. 



On March 12, 1987, the Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement was extended by the 
governments for a period of four years under the provision of Article 5, Terms 
of the Arrangement. 

Yours sincerely. 



J. (R. Knap ton ' 

Chairman, United States Section 




p/^ 



^.G. W. Howard 

Chairman, Canadian Section 





lear 

United States Section 




W. D. Gummer 

Member, Canadian Section 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 3 

1986 HIGHLIGHTS 7 

INTRODUCTION 9 

POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 12 

Operation 12 

Construction ..... 13 

Mining 14 

SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 16 

Streamflow 16 

Reservoir Storage 17 

Apportionment 18 

Minimum Flows 18 

On-Demand Release 20 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY 21 

East Poplar River 21 

Total Dissolved Solids 22 

Boron 22 

Other Water Quality Characteristics 26 

Glrard Creek and Cookson Reservoir 26 

Quality Control 28 

GROUND WATER QUANTITY 33 

Saskatchewan 33 

Coal Mine Dewatering 33 

Water Levels 34 

Poplar River Mine Relocation 34 

Montana 36 

GROUND WATER QUALITY 38 

Saskatchewan 38 

Water Quality in the Tills 38 

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 41 

Montana 42 

ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 45 

AIR QUALITY 48 

Saskatchewan 48 

Montana 51 



5 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 



Page 

Table 1 - 1986 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 

and No. 2 12 

2 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1986 17 

3 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985, 

Corrected 17 

4 - Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions, 

1986 Sampling Program, East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary 27 

5 - Selected Analytical Results of Quality Control 

Split Samples, June 8, 1986 30 

6 - Analytical Results of Water Quality Standards Exchanged . 31 

7 - 1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering 

Activities 33 

8 - SPC-PRPS Ash System, 1986 Calculated Seepage Rates ... A5 

9 - Summary of 1986 Montana Air Quality Monitoring Results . 52 



Figure 1 - Poplar River Mine — Location Map 15 

2 - Discharge during 1986 Compared with Median Discharge 

for 1951-80 for the Poplar River at International 

Boundary 16 

3 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River 

at the International Boundary and Recommended 

Minimum Flow 19 

4 - East Poplar River at International Boundary: 

(a) TDS Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted 

Concentration 23 

(b) TDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted 

Concentration 23 

5 - East Poplar River at International Boundary: 

Instantaneous and Regression-Generated TDS and 

Boron Concentrations 1975-86 24 



6 
TABLES OF CONTENTS (continued) 

Page 

Figure 6 - East Poplar River at International Boundary: 

(a) Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted 
Concentration 25 

(b) Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted 

Concentration 25 

7 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from 

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1986 35 

8 - Water Levels of Selected Wells in the United States ... 37 

9 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations: East Poplar 

River Monitoring Piezometers 39 

10 - Specific Conductance Measurements in Selected Wells 

within the United States 43 

11 - Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water 

Treatment Plant 50 

Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 
Canada-United States 

2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, 

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1987, Canada- 
United States 

3 - Reports Reviewed during 1986 by the Poplar River 

Bilateral Monitoring Committee 

4 - Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River 

Basin by the International Souris-Red Rivers 
Engineering Board, Poplar River Task. Force (1976) 

5 - Metric Conversions 



- 7 - 
1986 HIGHLIGHTS 



In 1986 the power station operated for the third full year. The two 
300 megawatt coal-fired units generated 3,968,400 gross megawatt 
hours of electricity, down 13 percent from 1985. Because the number 
of plant startups decreased, the consumption of oil decreased 1,897 
tonnes or 27 percent from 1985. 



Monitoring Information collected in both Canada and the United States 
was exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling loca- 
tions, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements 
identified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 
1985 annual report. An exception was continuous air quality moni- 
toring in Montana where there was an interruption because of in- 
adequate funding and a relocation of the primary monitoring site. 



The United States received a continuous flow in the East Poplar River 
throughout the year. However, during 58 days of the summer minimum 
flow did not meet the 0.085 cubic meter per second recommended by the 
International Joint Commission. Efforts will be made in 1987 to 
remedy the operational and Information exchange problems that resulted 
In these minimum flow requirements not being met. 



The concentrations of boron and total dissolved solids on the East 
Poplar River were below the long-term and short-term objectives 
recommended to Government by the International Joint Commission. 
There were no exceedances of other water quality objectives recom- 
mended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the 
International Joint Commission. Continued efforts at quality control 
showed improved water quality data comparability between Canadian 
and United States laboratories. 



- 8 - 

The outer limit of the cone of depression from coal seam dewatering 
remained about the same distance north of the International Boundary 
and total pumpage decreased 29 percent. 



The total estimate of seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing 
ponds was 0.746 litre per second, well below the seepage limits 
proposed by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The 
leachate front was calculated to have advanced 6.11 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. 



- 9 - 

INTRODUCTION 



The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an 
initial period of 5 years by the Governments of Canada and the United 
States under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement 
dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to 
this report as Annex 1. On March 12, 1987 the Arrangement was 
extended by the Governments for an additional period of 4 years. 



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 1986, the members and 
ex-officio members of the Committee were: 



Mr. J. R. Knapton 
U.S. Geological Survey 
Chairman, United States Section 



Mr. R. E. Driear 

Governor's Office 

Member, United States Section 

Mr. C. W. Tande 

Daniels County Commissioner 

Ex-Officio Member, Montana 



Mr. G. W. Howard 
Saskatchewan Environment and 

Public Safety 
Acting Chairman, Canadian Section 

Mr. W. D. Gummer 
Environment Canada 
Member, Canadian Section 

Mr. J. R. Totton 

Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte 

Ex-Officio Member, Saskatchewan 



- 10 - 

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 information 
exchange program initiated between Canada and the United States in 
1976. Special reports dealing with aspects of monitoring and moni- 
toring results requested by the Committee are sometimes published. 
Any such reports are reviewed annually by the Committee. Reports 
reviewed by the Committee during 1986 are identified in Annex 3. 
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 1986 
being the sixth report in the series. The Committee is also respon- 
sible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes 
in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention. 



- 11 - 

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 modifica- 
tions in sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical tech- 
niques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules list- 
ed 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. 



- 12 - 
POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION 

Operation 



The two units were operated for the full reporting period. The 1986 
operating statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1: 



Table 1. 1986 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 
and No. 2 



Unit 1 Unit 2 



7 751 


2 003 500 


93.0 


76.5 


9 


1 684 385 


992 


8 760 





7 


726 


1 


964 


900 

92.4 

75.9 

9 


1 


657 


643 




1 


005 




8 


760 



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 



The average sulphur content of the coal in 1986 was 0.55 percent. 
Analyses were conducted by the Poplar River Power Station Laboratory. 
Analyses of monthly duplicate coal samples by an independent labora- 
tory according to ASTM procedure D3176 provided, on average, 9 per- 
cent lower sulphur. The sulphur content of the No. 2 fuel oil was 
0.08 percent. 



Two spills occurred in 1986, both involving the ash handling system. 



On October 4, 1986, an ash line ruptured spilling a maximum of 
8,619 m-^ of ash recirculation water and approximately 180 m-^ of ash 
into a containment area between the Poplar River Power Station and 



- 13 - 

the ash lagoons. The water overflowed the control structure resulting 
in a 6,119 m^ maximum discharge to Cookson Reservoir. Analyses of the 
reservoir waters indicated rapid and complete mixing as no change in 
water quality was evident. Cleanup measures were implemented. Sub- 
sequent thickness testing of the ash lines indicated that the bottoms 
of the lines were wearing as a result of erosion. The ash lines 
between the plant and the ash lagoons have since been rotated 180 
degrees to extend life and prevent spills. 



On October 17, 1986, a seam on a buried section of the recirculation 
line failed, spilling approximately 2,000 m^ of ash recirculation 
water into the same area as the previous spill. The spill was con- 
tained upstream of the control structure. No recirculation water 
entered the reservoir and cleanup measures were implemented. Routine 
water quality monitoring of the runoff waters collected by the control 
structure is an ongoing practice prior to their release. 



Construction 



Seven concrete and steel V-notched weirs were constructed in surface 
runoff channels downstream of the Morrison Dam and spillway. The 
weirs, completed in June 1986, replaced old plywood and earth 
structures which had deteriorated beyond use. The weir flows are 
routinely measured and recorded to monitor seepages from Morrison 
Dam. 



The Ash Lagoon No. 3 North water return structure was completed in 
July 1986. The concrete and wooden stoplogged structure will permit 
the controlled flow of clear waters from Ash Lagoon No. 3 North to 
the Polishing Pond. 



- 14 - 
Mining 



Coal mining continued to the west of Glrard Creek and will move in a 
northwesterly direction until 1989 or later. Prairie Coal Limited 
has completed an environmental assessment of two new mining areas to 
the east and north of Cookson Reservoir (Figure 1). The Impact 
statement addressed such things as ground water, surface water and 
reclamation. The impact statement is currently under review within 
Government and will be made public in Saskatchewan and Montana, with 
review comments, in the summer of 1987. 



- 15 - 




- 16 - 
SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 

Streamflow 



Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was near normal during 1986, 
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 17,100 cubic deca- 
metres (dam^), or 105 percent of the long-term average. A comparison 
of the flows of 1986 with those of the 1951-80 median flow is shown 
in Figure 2. 



Q 

Z 

o 

£^ 

C/) 

a. 



2 
O 

m 

=) 
u 



Ul 

u 
a: 

< 

X 

o 
jn 
a 




0.1 r 



0.01 r 



0.001 

MAR 



APR 



MAY 



JUN 



JUL 



AUG 



SEP 



OCT 



Figure 2. — Discharge during 1986 Compared with Median Discharge for 
1951-80 for the Poplar River at International Boundary 



The recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary for 1986 was 9,450 dam^, or 77 percent of the mean annual 
flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. 



- 17 - 
Reservoir Storage 



Cookson Reservoir was near the full-supply level throughout the 
year, with contents increasing from 37,600 dam^ on January 1 to a 
maximum of 45,600 dam^ on March 3. Elevations and contents for 
selected dates are given in Table 2. 



Table 2. Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1986 



Elevation Contents 

Date (1986) (metres) (cubic decametres) 

January 1 752.222 37 600 
March 3 753.278 45 600 
December 31 752.448 39 200 

Full-Supply Level 753.000 43 400 



Storage increased during the year by 1,600 dam^ owing to above normal 
precipitation in the fall and base flows in Girard Creek which are 
maintained by dewatering operations at the Poplar River Mine. These 
flows assisted in offsetting the evaporative losses and releases 
from the reservoir. 

Reservoir storage statistics (contents) figures given in the 1985 
annual report were incorrect. The correct statistics are given in 
Table 3. 



Table 3. Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985 
(Corrected) 



Elevation Contents 

Date (1985) (metres) (cubic decametres) 

January 1 752.149 37 000 

April 19 752.805 41 900 

December 31 752.222 37 600 



Full-Supply Level 753.000 43 400 



- 18 - 
Apportionment 

In 1976 the International Sourls-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 an apportionment of waters of the Poplar River Basin. 
Although not officially adopted by the two countries, the Poplar 
River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has ascribed to the Apportionment 
Recommendation in each of its annual reports. Annex 4 contains the 
Apportionment Recommendation. 



Minimum Flows 



The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International 
Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1986 was 16,100 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 0.085 cubic metre per second (m-'/s) from June 1 to Aug- 
ust 31, 1986 and 0.057 m^/s from September 1, 1986 to May 31, 1987 
on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. The minimum 
flow of 0.028 m^/s for the first 5 months of 1986 had previously 
been determined on the basis of the March 1 to May 31, 1985 Poplar 
River flow volume. 



19 



The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boun- 
dary inadvertently fell below the recommended minimum of 0.085 m-^/s 
on several days. One reason for the shortage was that the Water 
Survey of Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey have been experiencing 
problems with developing an accurate low-flow rating at the hydro- 
metric station. The Water Survey of Canada resealed the weir struc- 
ture in August 1986 to eliminate a leakage problem and is planning 
to improve the metering section in 1987 and, subsequently, make 
additional measurements to aid in rating definition. The Saskatchewan 
Water Corporation has been asked to review operating procedures 
towards avoiding similar occurrences in the future. Communication 
and data exchange procedures between various agencies will also be 
improved during 1987. 



A hydrograph of flow in the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the IJC is shown in 
Figure 3. 




.057 m3/( 



Apporilonmant rscommandatlon for mintmum flow 



JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 

1986 



Figure 3. Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at 
the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow. 



- 20 - 
On-Demand Release 



Based on the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the United 
States Is entitled to an on-demand volume of 1,230 dam^ at any time 
from June 1, 1986 to May 31, 1987. As of December 31, 1986 Montana 
had not requested this release. The on-demand volume entitlement for 
1985 of 617 dam^ was requested on April 7, 1986, to be delivered 
May 1-31. A volume of 789 dam^ was delivered during this period. 



- 21 - 
SURFACE WATER QUALITY 

East Poplar River 

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended: 



Foi the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted 
concentrations 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 Interna- 
tional Boundary. 

For the March to October period, the long-term average of 
flow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for 
boron, and 1,000 mg/L or less for total dissolved solids 
in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. 



Comparison of the East Poplar River water quality with the proposed 
short-term objectives for total dissolved solids (TDS) and boron is 
tested by calculating the 3-month (90-day) moving flow-weighted 
concentration for each, advancing one month at a time while dropping 
the first month of the three-month period. Prior to 1982, this 
comparison was based 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 
are presented. 



The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adopted the 
approach that, for the purposes of comparison with the proposed IJC 
long-term objectives, the TDS and boron data are best plotted 
graphically as a 5-year flow-weighted moving average which is 
advanced 1 month at a time. 



- 22 - 

Each point represents the flow-weighted concentration for a 5-year 
period, with 2 1/2 years on either side of the plotted point. It 
should be emphasized that the data base is comprised of all data 
collected during the 12 months of all years. 



Total Dissolved Solids 

The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L. A plot of 
the 3-month moving flow-weighted concentration is shown in Figure 4a. 
No exceedences of this objective have been observed over the 1975-85 
period of record. The relationship between TDS and specific conduc- 
tance generated from the data collected to the end of 1986 is as 
follows: 

TDS = [0.640 X specific conductance] + 10.533 (R^ = 0.87) 

The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS are 
shown in Figure 4b. TDS concentrations calculated for the 5-year 
periods ending in 1986 remained below the proposed long-term objective 
of 1,000 mg/L. Analyzed TDS concentrations during 1986 ranged from 
725 mg/L (March 7) to 1,223 mg/L (November 13). Analyzed TDS and 
regression-generated TDS for the period of record are presented in 
Figure 5. 



Boron 



During 1986, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the 
International Boundary varied from 0.85 mg/L (March 7) to 2.65 mg/L 
(November 13). The moving 3-month flow-weighted boron concentrations 
for the period of record are shown in Figure 6a. The short-term 
objective of 3.5 mg/L boron has not been exceeded in the period 
1975-86. The moving 5-year flow-weighted concentrations are presented 
in Figure 6b. As with TDS, the 5-year weighted concentrations 
remained well below the proposed long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L 
boron. 



(a) 



- 23 - 
TD8 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Conoentration 



IBOOx 
ISOO 



Short-Term Objective (1600 mo/O 




from sample analyses 
from regression 



isooj (b) jDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration 



UOO' 

iioo-f- 

1000 
B00-- 
800-- 
700- - 
600- - 



Long-Term Objective (1000 mg/L) 




Figure 4. East Poplar River at International Boundary: 

(a) TDS Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, 

(b) TDS Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration. 



- 24 - 



Regression Generated TDS and Analyzed TDS 



1300 

laoo-- 

1100-- 
10OO-- 



600-- 
B00-- 



■00-- 

J00-- 




H > 1 1 1- 



-\ . 1 1 ( 1 1 1 1 1 h 



197S 1B76 1977 1978 1979 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 19 



Regression Generated TDS 
Analyzed TDS 



Regression Generated Boron and Analyzed Boron 




Regression Generated Data 
Analyzed Results 



Figure 5. East Poplar River at International Boundary: 
Instantaneous and Regression-Generated TDS 
and Boron Concentrations 1975-86. 



- 25 - 



(a) Boron-Three Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration 




from sample analyses 
from regression 



4.0-- 
S.B-- 
S.S-- 
S.4-- 

s.a- 

s.o- 

S.8- 

2.S- 

2.4- 

a.a-- 

2.0- 

■-- 



g ' 



(b) Boron Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration 



Long-Term Objective (2.6 mg/L) 



Figure 6. East Poplar River at International Boundary: 

(a) Boron Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration, 

(b) Boron Flve-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Concentration. 



- 26 - 

The relationship between boron and specific conductance at the 

sampling location during 1975-86 may be described by the 

equation: 

Boron = [0.00145 x specific conductance] - 0.268 (r2 = 0.73) 

Analyzed and regression generated boron concentrations for the period 
of record are presented in Figure 5. 



Other Water Quality Characteristics 

Table 4 contains the multi-purpose water quality objectives recom- 
mended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the 
IJC. No exceedences of the multi-purpose objectives occurred in 
1986. 



Girard Creek and Cookson Reservoir 

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety reported water quality at 
four locations in the Poplar River Basin during 1986: Girard Creek 
south of Coronach, Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36, Cookson Reservoir 
near Morrison Dam, and East Poplar River just below Morrison Dam. 
These sites were sampled in February, May, August and November. 



A review of the data from these sites showed boron concentrations 
varied from 0.72 to 1.75 mg/L, and TDS from 460 to 950 mg/L during 
1986. All other variables were also present at concentrations within 
the recommended water quality objectives for the East Poplar River 
(Table 4). 



- 27 - 

Table 4 

Recommended Water Quality Objectives and Excursions, 

1986 Sampling Program, 

East Poplar River at the International Boundary 

(units In mg/L except as otherwise noted) 





No. of 


samples 




Parameter Objective 


USA 


Canada 


Excursions 


Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments 


14 




Boron- total 3.5, 2.5 (1) 


14 


Nil 


Ibtal dissolved solids 1500, 1000 (1) 


14 


14 


Nil 


Objectives recommended by Board to IJC 


5 


13 




Aluminum - dissolved 0.1 


Nil 


Mmonla - un-lonlzed (as N) 0.2 


14 


14 


Nil 


Cadmium - total 0.0012 


2 


13 


Nil 


Chromlim - total 0.05 


2 


13 


Nil 


Copper - dissolved 0.005 


2 


— 


Nil 


Copper - total 1.0 


4 


13 


Nil 


Fluoride - dissolved 1.5 


14 


14 


Nil 


Lead - total 0.03 


4 


13 


Nil 


Mercury - dissolved 0.0002 


— 


13 


Nil 


Mercury - whole fish (mg/kg) 0.5 


— 


— 


— 


Nitrate (as N) 10.0 


14 


14 


Nil 


Oxygen - dissolved 4.0, 5.0 (2) 


14 


12 


Nil 


Sodium adsorption ratio 10. 


14 


14 


Nil 


Sulphate - dissolved 800. 


14 


14 


Nil 


Zinc - total 0.03 


4 


13 


Nil 


Water temperature ( °C) 30. (3) 


14 


12 


Nil 


pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) 


14 


12 


Nil 


Conform 








fecal (no./lOO mL) 2,000. 


— 


10 


Nil 


total (no./lOO mL) 20,000. 


~— 


10 


Nil 



(1) Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to 
October) should be <2.5 mg/L boron and <1 000 mgA TDS. 
Ihree-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be 
<3.5 mg/L boron and <1 500 mg/L TDS. 

(2) 5.0 mg/L (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 mg/L (minimum 
remainder of year) . 

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

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



- 28 - 

Personnel from Environment Canada and Saskatchewan Environment and 
Public Safety undertook a field investigation on July 7, 1986 of the 
Girard Creek and East Poplar River water quantity and quality monitor- 
ing sites located above Cookson Reservoir. On the basis of this 
investigation, the water quality station on Girard Creek was relocated 
downstream to a point between Coronach and Cookson Reservoirs to 
provide a better estimate of the quality of water entering the 
reservoir. Although it was considered desirable to have the quantity 
and quality stations co-located, the need could not justify the high 
cost of relocating the Girard Creek hydrometric station from its 
current location above Coronach Reservoir. 



It was noted that flow in the East Poplar River at the hydrometric 
station 15 km above Cookson Reservoir is typically near zero with the 
exception of a 3- to 4-week period during the spring. Water quality 
monitoring samples will not normally be collected at this hydrometric 
station, but will continue to be collected quarterly in the upper end 
of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36. 



Quality Control 



Quality control sampling was conducted at the East Poplar River at 
the International Boundary on July 8, 1986. Sets of triplicate 
samples were collected and submitted to eight Canadian and United 
States laboratories for analyses. In addition, reference water 
samples were exchanged and submitted to the respective Federal 
laboratories and the Saskatchewan Research Council. 



- 29 - 

A review of the data from the triplicate sample splits shows the 
United States and Canadian results to be similar for most of the 
water quality variables. Results reported by the participating 
laboratories are subject to variability owing to differing analytical 
techniques. Following are areas where discrepancies were present: 



specific conductance Environment Canada measurements (laboratory 
and field) were about 5 percent higher than 
the mean for all laboratories 



phosphorous (ortho) 



chloride 



SiO' 



TDS 



metals 



boron 



Apparent disagreement between U.S. Geological 
Survey and Saskatchewan results 

Saskatchewan Provincial Health Laboratory 
concentrations higher than other laboratories 

Saskatchewan Research Council reports silica 
results as Si while other labs report silica 
as Si02 

Environment Canada and U.S. Geological Survey 
results differ by about two percent. Sas- 
katchewan Research Council results non- 
comparable (analyses done gravimetrically) 

Substantial differences between Saskatchewan 
Research Council and other participating lab- 
oratories for nickel, copper, vanadium 

Results generally comparable; Environment 
Canada and U.S. Geological Survey results 
differ by about 8 percent 



Table 5 lists the analytical results of the above measurements made 
by the laboratories. 



The results of analyses of the United States standard reference 
sample (Table 6) showed good agreement between laboratories for most 
variables. The Saskatchewan Research Council results for sulphate, 
chloride, and TDS varied from those reported by the other labora- 
tories. Boron results from Environment Canada were not reported due 
to interference. Environment Canada pH (laboratory) was signifi- 
cantly above the multi-laboratory mean. 



- 30 - 

Table 5 
Selected Analytical Results of Quality Control Split Samples, June 8, 1986 

EC: Environment Canada Laboratories (Burlington and Saskatoon) 

USGS: U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory 

MINES: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 

HEALTH: Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences 

SASK: Saskatchewan Provincial Health Laboratory and Saskatchewan 

Research Council 

SPC: Saskatchewan Power (analyses performed by Chemex Laboratories) 



Specific Specific Chlor- 

conductance conductance P Ortho ride 
Lab/ Time (field) (lab) mg/L mg/L 



Si02 
mg/L 



TDS 
mg/L 



EC-1130 

EC-1145 

EC-1200 

USGS-1130 

USGS-1145 

USGS-1200 

MINES-1200 

HEALTH- 1200 

SASK- 1130 

SASK- 1145 

SASK-1200 

SPC-1200 



1373 



1320 



1320 


— 


5.40 


8.70 


840 


1330 


— 


5.40 


8.70 


857 


1330 


— 


5.30 


8.70 


854 


1230 


<0.01 


4.90 


8.50 


830 


1230 


<.01 


4.80 


8.50 


830 


1230 


<.01 


4.80 


8.50 


830 


1313 


— 


5.20 


9.30 


850 


1249 


— 


5.70 


8.40 


818 


1260 


.030 


10.00 


3.90 


1182# 


1250 


.040 


10.00 


3.90 


1196// 


1260 


.040 


10.00 


3.90 


1161# 


1200 


.012 


5.94 


7.24 


870# 



MEAN 



1347 



1267 



6.50 



7.40 



926 



Lab/ Time 



Ni 
total 
mg/L 



Cu 
total 
mg/L 



Zn 
total 
mg/L 



V 
total 



Al 
diss 
mg/L 



Cr 
total 
mg/L 



B 
diss 
mg/L 



EC-1130 

EC-1145 

EC-1200 

USGS-1130 

USGS-1145 

USGS-1200 

MINES-1200 

HEALTH- 12 00 

SASK-1130 

SASK- 11 45 

SASK-1200 

SPC-1200 



0.001 


<0.001 


0.002 


0.0011 


<0.1 


<0.001 


1.85 


.001 


.002 


.001 


.0012 


<.l 


<.001 


1.80 


.001 


<.001 


<.001 


.0013 


<.l 


<.001 


1.85 


.003 


.003 


.020 


— 


<.01 


<.01 


1.70 


.002 


.004 


.010 


— 


<.01 


<.01 


1.70 


.002 


.002 


.010 


~ 


<.01 


<.01 


1.70 


— 


— 


— 


— 


— 


— 


1.67 
1.75 
1.90 


.009* 


.012* 


.016* 


<.01* 


— 





.011* 


.010* 


.008* 


.0100* 


.03 


.006* 


1.90 


.009* 


.006* 


.011* 


.0100* 


.03 


.006* 


1.90 


<.001 


.002 


.003 


<.001 


.08 


.006* 


1.79 



MEAN 



1.79 



// Analyzed gravimetrically 

* Analytical method reported as "dissolved" 

Note that analytical methods were variable between laboratories. 

For purposes of brevity, column headings are the method description 

used by the majority of laboratories. 



- 31 - 

Table 6 
Analytical Results of Water Quality Standards Exchanged 





Mean 












concen- 






Env 


Sask 




tration 


Labs 


uses 


Canada 


Research 


Constituent 


mg/L 


no. 


analysis 


analysis 


i Analysis 


United States Standard Reference 


Water Sample 


No. 76 




SIO2 


9.76 


33 


10 


9.99 


3.7 (as Si) 


Ca 


187 


46 


190 


183 


191 


Mg 


120 


44 


120 


121 


121 


Na 


159 


41 


159 


154 


158 


K 


10.0 


41 


9.6 


9.18 


10 


Alk (as CaC03) 


303.4 


38 


296 


306 


— 


SO4 


929 


44 


910 


898 


995 


CI 


26.6 


40 


25 


26.0 


32 


F 


1.07 


34 


1.1 


0.95 


1.0 


Sp. Cond. (lab) 


2094 PS/ cm 


38 


2099 


2121 


— 


pH (lab) 


8.28 units 


45 


8.4 


8.7 


— 


B 


399 lig/L 


17 


430 


INT 


380 


B DC Plasma 


425 Ug/L 


— 


— 


— 


— 


Hardness (total) 


— 


— 


970 


955 


— 


T.D.S 


"~~ 


— 


1599 


1586 

( 


1900 
^gravimetric) 


Sodium % 


— 


— 


25 


26 


— 


SAR (ratio) 


— 


— 


2 


2 


— 


Alk (phen.) 


— 


— 


NR 


19.5 


— 


Canada Standard 


Reference Wat 


er Sample Cat-02 


1.32 




Si02 


1.29 


50 


1.4 


0.5 (as Si) 


Ca 


28.26 


84 


29 


28.1 


28 


Mg 


7.40 


75 


7.9 


7.3 


7 


Na 


4.56 


79 


4.7 


4.7 


4.4 


K 


3.15 


77 


3.3 


3.14 


3.2 


Alk (as CaC03) 


78.93 


74 


80 


80.6 


~ 


SO4 


16.23 


79 


17 


16.4 


17 


CI 


11.86 


81 


10 


12.4 


15 


F 


0.08 


33 


0.20 


0.09 


0.08 


Sp. Cond. (lab) 


227.8 PS/ cm 


71 


232 


234 


— 


pH (lab) 


7.91 units 


69 


7.8 


8.15 


— 


B 


1500 Ug/L 


— 


1500 


1550 


NR 


Hardness (total) 


103.3 


48 


100 


100 


— 


T.D.S 


— 


— 


120 


121.8 
( 


147 
[gravimetric) 


Sodium % 


— 


— 


9 


8.9 


— 


SAR (ratio) 


~ 


~ 


0.2 


0.2 


~ 



- 32 - 

Analyses of the Canada reference standard (Table 6) again showed 
good agreement, with the exception of Saskatchewan Research Council 
results for chloride and TDS, and the U.S. Geological Survey result 
for fluoride. 



The results of the quality control work conducted in 1986 show 
improved data comparability between Environment Canada and the U.S. 
Geological Survey over similar work done in 1985. It was noted in 
the 1985 Annual Report that Environment Canada monthly monitoring 
results for boron in the East Poplar River tended to be consistently 
lower than those reported by the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory. 
This trend continued through the first quarter of 1986. Improved 
compatability between the two laboratories was apparent in the second 
quarter 1986 boron results. During the third and fourth quarters, 
this trend showed a reversal, with the U.S. Geological Survey boron 
concentrations being slightly less than those of Environment Canada. 
It should be understood, however, that monthly samples collected by 
the two agencies are from different water, often collected several 
days apart. 



- 33 - 
GROUND WATER QUANTITY 

Saskatchewan 

Coal Mine Dewaterlng 

Owing to coal mine dewatering activities, a total of 5,032 dam^ (4,080 
acre-feet) of ground water was discharged during 1986. This amounts 
to 29 percent less pumpage than in the previous year. A summary of 
the monthly pumpages from all the coal dewatering wells is shown in 
Table 7. 



Table 7 
1986 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities 

Pumpages 

Month Total (dam^) Rate (L/s) 



January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 



524 
479 
536 
462 
346 
456 
481 
420 
323 
332 
305 
368 



196 
198 
200 
178 
129 
176 
180 
157 
124 
124 
118 
137 



TOTAL 



5 032 dam^ 

(4 080 acre-feet) 



The ground water was discharged at 16 locations during 1986. Fourteen 
discharges were to Girard Creek, one was directly into Cookson Reser- 
voir and one was into a tributary of Goose Creek. No water from 
this last discharge reached the main stem of Goose Creek. 



- 34 - 
Water Levels 

Two piezometrlc pressure maps, dated June and December 1986, were 
prepared by Prairie Coal Ltd.^ Figure 7 was compiled from the 
December map and shows the cone of depression formed by the pressure 
contours in the Hart coal seam. The southern extent of the cone of 
depression at the end of 1986 is unchanged from its position in the 
previous year. The position of the 1-metre contour therefore remains 
at 1.8 kilometres north of the International Boundary. 



Poplar River Mine Relocation 

Prairie Coal Ltd. plans to relocate mining activity from the existing 
West Block to the proposed South Block and subsequently to the proposed 
North Block shown in Figure 1. Preliminary studies for the relocation 
have been concluded and the Environmental Impact Assessment is under 
review by provincial agencies. The required land purchases are 95 
percent complete and detailed surveys and design of the rail line 
and loadout facilities are in progress. Movement of the dragline to 
the South Block is scheduled for the summer of 1989. 



Effective December 1, 1984, ownership and operation of the Poplar 
River Mine were transferred from the Saskatchewan Power Corporation 
to Prairie Coal Ltd. 



- 35 - 




Contour intervals are in 
metres of pressure head. 



_R G E 281 RGE 2 7 SASKATCHEWAN 
W3M MONTANA 



RG E 271 RGE 2^ 
W3M 



Figure 7. Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from 
Dewatering Activities as of December, 1986. 



- 36 - 
Montana 



Locations of the Montana monitoring wells are shown in the Technical 
Monitoring Schedules. 



Figure 8 depicts the water level changes since the inception of the 
monitoring program in wells 6, 7, and 10 which are completed 
respectively in Hart Coal, Hart Coal, and both Hart Coal and alluvium. 
Recorded water level fluctuations in the three wells are less than 
2 feet (0.6 m) over the period of record. The minor fluctuations 
are mainly attributed to regional climatic conditions rather than an 
impact resulting from the mining of coal to supply the Coronach 
Generating Facility. Considering the variability of annual precipita- 
tion for the period 1979 through 1986 [maximum 18.23 inches (463 mm), 
minimum 8.89 inches (226 mm); NCAA data for Scobey, MT] the water 
level fluctuations have been fairly minor. Although some fluctuation 
has occurred, a trend of changing water level has not been established. 
Instead, the monitoring results show minor changes with respect to an 
apparently constant reference level in the coal aquifer wells. 



Water levels from wells 5, 9, and 17, which are completed to varying 
depths in alluvium, Fort Union, and alluvium, respectively, are also 
presented in Figure 8 for comparison. The shallow alluvial well (5) 
and the Fort Union well (9) had water level fluctuations of less 
than 2 feet (0.6 m) over the 6 1/2 year period of record. The 
recently completed deep alluvial well (17) had a water level decline 
of 2.12 feet (0.65 m) between late September and mid-December of 1986. 
This well is located 3 miles south of the International Border in 
a recharge area. The change is believed to represent a slightly 
greater than average seasonal variation but further monitoring is 
necessary to verify this Interpretaton. 



- 37 - 



Hydrograph 



6 - 

7 - 


X 




X 


X " 


X X 




X 


X 


X 


^XX "" X >< 


Xk 


X ) 


8 - 


























e - 


























10 - 


























11 - 


























12 - 


























13 - 


























14- 
15 - 


<• 


♦ 


« 


o « 


o o 


o 


» 


• 


» 


..***.* 


« ^ 


^ ^ 


18 - 


























17 - 


























18 - 


























ie - 

20 - 

21 - 

22 - 


9 S 


s s 


? 


5S 


S2 


? 


o 
+ 





o 
+ 


°5? 0?? S 


DB 

+ 


95 


23 - 


























24- 
25- 






_ 












1 — 


1 r 








Hydrograph 

Wsll 7 






241 - 


1 


242 - 


3 


243 - 


3 




C 


244 - 


^ 


245 - 


n 


246 - 


s 




5 


247 - 


£ 




8- 


248 - 




246 - 




2S0 H 



Hydrograph 

Woll 17 



T 1 r 



Figure 8. Water Levels of Selected Wells In the United States 



- 38 - 
GROUND WATER QUALITY 

Saskatchewan 



Ground water sampling continued in 1986 at the locations specified in 
the Technical Monitoring Schedules. 



Water Quality in the Tills 



Waters from the tills are of generally poorer natural quality than 
those from the gravels. The ground water quality data for total 
dissolved solids, shown in Figure 9, have demonstrated this during 
the past 6 years. Higher and more variable TDS concentrations are 
associated with piezometers completed in till, whereas concentrations 
in Empress-completed piezometers have rarely exceeded 1,200 mg/L. 



Piezometer C712B, at location 2a just north of the Polishing Pond, 
was observed to have an increased concentration of uranium in 1984 to 
mid-1985. This condition generally continued during 1986. With the 
exception of one sample, taken in October 1985, the readings remained 
above 550 Vg/L. Other ions in the piezometer water do not show 
patterns that are similar to that of uranium. 



39 - 



UJ Q) J3 U O (D 
mODUDCDCDlDUDCDCD'^OJ 

mc\jajojc\jc\jaj-^-<-<m 



■«-• -^ 



uuouuuuoououo 



** 



iUUiiii 




3 oJ 



en c 

•H o 

Q S 

<-l u 

CO oj 



_J 

E 



- 40 - 

At locations 2b (piezometer C718) and 2c (piezometer C719), near the 
north end of the Polishing Pond, there have been no consistent 
water quality trends during the period of record. Although these two 
sites are close to each other, and are both screened in till, there 
are large differences in the chemical makeup of their waters. Most 
notable is the sulphate concentration in C719, which is some 18 times 
larger than that in C718. The uranium level in C719 peaked in April 
1986 at 460 Ug/L; no long term trend in the uranium values from 
that piezometer is apparent. 



At location 8a, west of cell No. 1 of the Ash Lagoon, piezometers 
C726A and C726C are completed in till. Although there are consistent 
differences in the quality of water from these two piezometers, no 
trends are evident. 



At location 9a at the west end of the Pollstilng Pond, piezometer 
C728A has remained dry since 1980. Piezometers C728B and C728C show 
no consistent trends during the period of record. The uranium concen- 
trations in both piezometers were fairly stable during 1986. At the 
end of 1984, an increasing trend in uranium concentration appeared 
to be developing in C728C, after showing an increase in the dissolved 
constituents. However, the 1985 and 1986 data show that the uranium 
levels have stabilized within the range 20 to 40 Ug/L. Piezometer 
C728D has remained dry. 



Piezometer C534 Is screened in till to the south of the Ash Lagoon. 
Ground-water quality is inferior in comparison with locations 8a and 
9a. Total dissolved solids concentrations are near 4,500 mg/L. 
There is no evidence of long-term trends in water quality. 



- 41 - 
Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 



Figure 9 shows that there are no significant trends in total dissolved 
solids in the Empress Gravels. At location 8a, piezometer C726E 
showed a decrease in IDS concentration in July 1986, but returned to 
a higher level in October of that year. 



At location 9a, the water quality in piezometer C728E is similar to 
that of C726E. Boron values are generally slightly larger, and the 
uranium concentration is generally less than the detection limit, 
with the exception of the 3.0 Ug/L value obtained in October, 1986. 



At piezometer C533, south of the Ash Lagoon, the chloride concen- 
trations have stabilized, and no other chemical parameters have 
increased consistently. Uranium and boron have remained relatively 
stable since the beginning of monitoring in all the Empress-completed 
piezometers (0533, C534, C726E, and C728E). 



The higher hydraulic conductivity of the Empress Gravels allows a 
much greater volume of water to flow through them than through the 
tills. The amount of leakage from the overlying tills is therefore 
very small compared to the through-flow in the Empress Gravels. 
Because of this, the dilution effect would be large enough that 
water quality effects are not expected from the Ash Lagoons or the 
Polishing Pond. As a consequence, there is no verifiable water 
quality change in the gravels attributable to seepage from the 
lagoons. 



- 42 - 
Montana 



Ground water quality during 1986 was essentially unchanged in 19 of 
the 21 monitoring wells. This condition is believed to be the 
representative condition for the area being monitored. Figure 10 
shows the field specific conductance values for the same wells 
discussed in the water level section. These data show considerable 
scatter; the scatter is attributed in part to the difficulty in 
developing wells after installation, in part to differing quantities 
of water pumped from the wells prior to measuring the specific 
conductance, and in part to some natural variability within the 
aquifer being sampled. However, data from some wells show so much 
variability that the well construction is questioned. The Fort 
Union well (no. 9) fits into this category. This well is reported 
to be open to the formation from 53 to 203 feet (16.2 to 61.9 m) 
below the land surface; measured depths Include 49 and 140 feet 
(14.9 and 42.7 m) as well as 208 feet (63.4 m) suggesting that the 
size of slots in the casing may be too large within parts of the 
unit. 



In 1986, wells 4 and 22 had substantial changes in water chemistry. 
Well 4, located east of the Poplar River, is reported to be completed 
in the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. Figure 10 shows the specific 
conductance data from this well. The specific conductance, which 
has been averaging 2,540 PS/ cm fell to 1,206 WS/cm in the 1986 sample 
(Figure 10). The lower conductance was accompanied by at least a 50 
percent decrease in the major constituents sodium, bicarbonate, 
chloride, and sulfate. The calcium content in 1986 (13.6 mg/L) is 
essentially unchanged; however, the strontium content more than 
tripled to 0.92 mg/L. This indicates that shallow alluvial water or 
surface runoff has entered the well, and that ion exchange reactions 
have occurred to decrease the concentration of alkaline earths in 
the water. The dilution, compared with previous samples, is also 
supported by the decrease in boron content from a previous average 
value of 1,760 to 760 Ug/L. 



Specific Conductance 

Wella So . 6* ond 7» 



900 -| 














- 




o 










- 




+ 










- 


D 


D 


+ 


+ 




+ 


800 - 


+ 






♦ 






- 






•> 









- 






O 








- 












a 


- 















700- 










■*■ 




- 














- 














- 










d 




* 














"1 


1 


' 






' 


' 



Specific Conductance 

Wella e» . 10^ ond 17« 



1300 






° 


D 


O 


« 


o 


1200 
















1100 
















1000 






♦ 










900 




a 




+ 


+ 


o 


+ 


800 












+ 














' 


' 



Specific Conductance 

Wall 4 







□ 






o 




2500 . 


O 




a 


o 




, 












































2000 . 






































































1500 . 






















































a 


















I 


I 


! 









Figure 10. Specific Conductance Measurements in Selected Wells 
within the United States. 



- 44 - 

Interestingly, the water level In well 4 was not altered by the 
dilution in water chemistry. The casing for this well had been 
broken at the ground surface and the well is located in a depression. 
Hence, we suspect that the dilution was caused by surface water 
entering the well. 



The 1986 water chemistry sample from well 22 was also distinctly 
different from that of the 1985 sample (only two samples are avail- 
able). This well is reported to be completed in the Flaxville Gravel 
and screened from 59 to 68 feet (18.0 to 20.7 m); the specific 
conductance decreased from 1,300 to 600 PS/ cm, sodium decreased from 
174 to 21.7 mg/L, sulphate decreased from 307 to 25.2 mg/L, boron 
decreased from 1,280 to 91 Ug/L, and nitrate increased from 0.16 
to 4.65 mg/L. The water level rose about 4 feet (1.2 m). 



A casing separation was noted at the "bell" joint slightly below 
land surface elevation. These casing problems will be corrected and 
a bentonite slurry will be puddled into the annular space around 
both casings this year to prevent a future recurrence of this problem. 



- 45 - 
ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 



The ash lagoon system at the Poplar River Power Station continues to 
be operated on a closed system basis with no discharges to surface 
waters. During 1986, most of the sluiced ash was directed to the 
north end of Ash Lagoon No. 1. The normal operation has been the use 
of Ash Lagoon No. 1, Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the Polishing Pond in series 
operation. Water from the Polishing Pond is returned to the plant 
for ash sluicing. During 1986, maximum and minimum water depths in 
Ash Lagoon Nos. 1 and 2 and the Polishing Pond ranged between 5.2 
and 5.5, 4.0 and 4.7, and 3.9 and 4.7 m, respectively. 



Pending the issuance by Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 
of a permit, Saskatchewan Power plans to direct the sluiced ash to 
Ash Lagoon No. 3N. 



Seepage calculations were made in 1986 using the methods developed 
by T.A. Prickett, P.E., of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the calcu- 
lations for Ash Lagoons Nos. 1 and 2 and the Polishing Pond are 
shown in Table 8. 



Table 8. SPC-PRPS Ash System, 1986 Calculated Seepage Rates 



Source Rate (L/s) 

Polishing Pond 0.250 

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.153 

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.343 

TOTAL SEEPAGE 0.746 



- 46 - 

The 1986 calculated seepage was approximately the same as that cal- 
culated for 1985. The calculated total seepage 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 Quality Board of the International Joint Commission. The 
permeability of the Ash Lagoons Nos. 1 and 2 and Polishing Pond 
liners was calculated and found to be the same order of magnitude (2 
to 11 X 10"^ cm/s) as originally calculated by T.A. Prickett. 



The advancement of the seepage front towards the reservoir in the 
oxidized till was calculated to be 6.11 m since the ponds were 
initially filled, which is an increase of 1.88 m since 1985. The 
seepage front in the Empress formation was calculated to have 
advanced 777 m southeast of the lagoons, an increase of 147 m since 
1985. However, examination of Empress formation and till water 
chemistry have not shown significant changes attributable to lagoon 
seepage. Thus, leachate flow into Cookson Reservoir and into the 
East Poplar River has not been measurable. 



Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety requires that the Sas- 
katchewan Power Corporation maintain the stability of the ash lagoon 
system dykes. In addition to the regular visual inspections, an 
annual investigation by a geotechnical engineer was conducted in 
October, 1986. The freeboard requirements were exceeded during a 
short time in March of 1986 to minimize any ash blowing problems 
from Ash Lagoon No. 1. This matter has been remedied and satis- 
factory freeboard maintenance has been subsequently practiced. 



- A7 - 

Two inclinometers were installed in 1986 on the north side of dyke G 
between the dyke and the cooling water canal to provide additional 
information on dyke stability. A discharge structure between Ash 
Lagoon No. 3N and the Polishing Pond was also constructed during the 
year. 



Saskatchewan Power continues to experiment with the surcharging of 
dry ash into the lagoons. The present procedure involves several ash 
discharge points along the north and west sides of Ash Lagoon No. 1. 
The coarse bottom ash material is selectively collected at the dis- 
charge points and spread over the finer materials previously laid 
down. The result should be a surface that is not wind erodible and 
could support vegetation. It would be graded to a 5 percent slope 
from the dyke to the middle of the lagoon. 



Saskatchewan Power has, since May 1983, undertaken analyses of filtered 
ash lagoon water samples to obtain appropriate information on potential 
leachate quality. Generally, the water quality data show increases in 
the Ash Lagoons and the Polishing Ponds for sodium, potassium, sulphate, 
total dissolved solids, fluoride, boron, molybdenum, and strontium; 
and notable variability in the levels for uranium, and vanadium. In 
addition, there were some decreases noted for other measured variables 
such as lead, mercury, and recently, zinc. The changes are to be 
expected in a closed system of this type. 



- 48 - 
AIR QUALITY 

Saskatchewan 



As a result of new construction at the Coronach site, the monitoring 
station was dismantled in September 1986 and could not be relocated 
until the beginning of 1987. 



Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. 
To date, few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this 
site. There were no recorded violations of Saskatchewan's hourly or 
24-hour standards of 17.0 pphm and 6.0 pphm, respectively (Figure 
11). The highest value of 2.4 pphm occurred on February 8 at 0800 
hours. Weather information for this day indicates winds blowing 
from the northern quadrants, which would indicate the power plant 
was not the source. The highest 24-hour value of 0.4 pphm occurred 
on July 29. Weather data indicates winds blowing from the northern 
quadrants 46 percent of the time. As well, there were no recorded 
violations at Saskatchewan Power Corporation's monitoring station 
near the Montana border. The highest value of 4.2 pphm occurred on 
December 2, 1986 at 1500 hours. Weather information indicates winds 
blowing from the north, which would indicate the power plant as the 
probable source. 



Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach showed a variance 
in 1986 similar to that of 1985. Saskatchewan's 24-hour average 
standard of 120 micrograms per cubic metre ()Jg/m^/24 hours) was 
not exceeded. The annual geometric mean rose from 24.8 Pg/m-* in 
1985 to 25.2 Pg/m^ in 1986 and continues to be well below the 
Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 Pg/m-^. Suspended particulate con- 
centrations at Saskatchewan Power Corporation's monitoring station 
exceeded Saskatchewan's 24-hour average standard on two occasions 



- 49 - 

on two occasions In 1986. The highest recorded value of 161.9 
yg/m-^ occurred on December 10. Weather data for this date Indicate 
winds were blowing from the western quadrants for 65 percent of the 
time, which would suggest that the power plant was not the source. 
Windblown dust from fields west of the monitoring station was the 
most probable cause. The annual geometric mean of 28.0 Ug/m^ is 
well below the provincial standard. 



In-stack monitoring results showed a variance in 1986 similar to that 
of 1985. Daily nitrogen oxide concentrations ranged from 276 to 2,161 
milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with an average yearly concentra- 
tion of 898 mg/m^ as compared to 757 mg/ur in 1985. Ongoing improve- 
ments to the sample conditioning system improved the operation of 
the nitrogen oxides monitor considerably. The monitor was available 
82 percent of the time in 1986 as compared to 38 percent of the time 
in 1985. Dally sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 1,445 to 
4,677 mg/m^, with an average yearly concentration of 2,688 mg/va? as 
compared to 2,660 mg/wr in 1985. The sulphur dioxide monitor was 
available 85 percent of the time in 1986. 



Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 9.2 x lO"-* tonnes per megawatt 
hour due to firing on coal and 8.1 x 10~^ tonnes per megawatt hour 
due to firing on oil. Total coal consumption for 1986 was 3,342,028 
tonnes and oil consumption was 1,997 tonnes. 



Average daily opacity readings ranged from 1 to 100 percent, with a 
yearly average of 16 percent as compared to 19 percent in 1985. 
Saskatchewan's opacity standard is 40 percent. In most instances, 
opacity violations occur during process startup, shutdown or when 
one of the precipitators experiences a power trip. 



- 50 - 



SASKATCHEWAN MAXIMUM HOURLY SO; AIR QUALITY DATA 
CORONACH WATER TREATMENT PLANT 




MJJAS0NDJ1 
1981 



SASKATCHEWAN MAXIMUM DAILY SO2 AIR QUALITY DATA 
CORONACH WATER TREATMENT PLANT 




AJJUiNDi^AiAjjUAf.DjFll^iAiJliAll.AJFAAp!.JUsAl!l6J*■AiAJJ;i6Al^J^A;AiJiiAlSi 

1M2 I 1983 I 1984 I 1985 I 1986 



Figure 11. 



Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality Data - Coronach Water Treatment 
Plant. 



- 51 - 
Montana 



The State of Montana operated one primary air monitoring site and 
eight additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of 
Montana during 1986. The parameters monitored included: sulphur 
dioxide, total suspended particulate, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind 
direction, and temperature. The primary air monitoring site was estab- 
lished in September 1986 and is expected to continue through June 
1987. The 1985 Montana Legislature provided funding for one site for 
1 year. The site is located at the Don Marlenee Ranch, which is 
approximately 4 miles south of the border and 1 mile east of Highway 
13. No continuous monitoring was conducted between July 1985 and 
August 1986, but sulfation rate analyses at selected sites were con- 
ducted during the interim. The monitoring results are summarized in 
table 9. 



During the last half of 1986, sulphur dioxide concentrations remained 
less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality standards. 
The maximum 1-hour concentration of 7.5 pphm was recorded at the 
Marlenee Ranch site during October. This concentration is 15 percent 
of the Montana standard. The highest 24-hour concentration of 0.6 
pphm occurred during November. Most of the higher sulphur dioxide 
concentrations 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 the monitoring site. The highest 24-hour concen- 
tration was 140 Ug/m^, recorded on November 10, 1987. The annual 
geometric and arithmetic means for the 4 months the site ran in 1986 
were 18.7 Mg/m^ and 28.9 Pg/m^, respectively. The levels of total sus- 
pended particulates observed during 1986 are low and representative of 
rural Montana. 



- 52 - 



Table 9 
Summary of 1986 Montana Air Quality Monitoring Results 

Sulphur Dioxide (pphm) 

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

Marlenee 7.5 4.2 0.6 0.0* 

Ranch 

Sulfation Rate (mg/100 cm^/day) 

Site Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

International — — — — — — — — — — — — 

Boundary 

Richardson — ~ ~ ~ 0.00 — 

Hanrahan ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0.00 ~ 

Microwave — — — 0.01 — — — — — — 

Tower 

Flaxville 0.02 ~ 

TV Tower ~ ~ 0.01 ~ 

Hill 

Scobey ~ 0.02 ~ 

Downtown 

Four Buttes — — — .00 — 



Total Suspended Particulate (wg/m^) 

Geometric Arithmetic 
Site Highest 24-hr 2nd Hightest 24-hr Mean Mean 

Marlenee 140 45 18.7 28.9 

Ranch 



^Annual average based on four months of data. 



- 53 - 

During 1986, the Montana Department of Health and Environmental 
Sciences continued to operate an extended network of lead dioxide 
sulfation plates in the Poplar River area. The sulfation plate 
network includes the existing primary monitoring site and eight 
additional locations: International Boundary, Richardson, Hanrahan 
Ranch, Microwave Tower, Flaxville, TV Tower Hill, Scobey Downtown and 
Four Buttes. The objective of the sulfation plate network is to 
obtain a broad geographical indication of sulphur dioxide concentra- 
tions and to investigate the relationship between sulfation rate and 
sulphur dioxide concentrations. 



During 1986, the highest monthly sulfation rate was 0.02 milligram 
per 100 centimetres squared per day (mg/100 cm^/day) at Flaxville and 
Scobey Downtown. These readings, which occurred during January and 
February, are low. 



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 develop- 
ment. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of 
the data in each country and will assure its comparability and assist 
in its technical interpretation. 

The Arrangement will replace and expand upon the quarterly information 
exchange program instituted between Canada and the United States 
in 1976. 

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS 

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement 
are: 

Government of Canada: Environment Canada 

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan 

Environment and Public Safety 
Government of the United States of America: U.S. Geological 

Survey 
Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office 

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE 

A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring 
Committee will be established to carry out responsibilities assigned 
to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in accord- 
ance 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 repre- 
sentative. 

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 implementa- 
tion 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 counter- 
part Cochairman on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis, 
the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accord- 
ance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules. 

2. Reports 

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint Annual Report to the partici- 
pating 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; 

11) draw to the attention of the participating governments any 
definitive changes in the monitored parameters, based on 
collation and technical interpretation of exchanged data 
(i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other 
appropriate techniques); 

ill) draw to the attention of the participating governments any 
recommendations regarding the adequacy or redundancy of any 
scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals regarding 
modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based 
on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including 
analytical methods to ensure their comparability. 



- 3 



c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of partici- 
pating governments definitive changes In monitored parameters 
which may require Immediate attention. 

d) Preparation of Reports 

Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee 
members and will be signed by all Committee members. Reports 
will be separately forwarded by the Committee Co chairmen to the 
participating governments. All annual and special reports will 
be so distributed. 

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 elec- 
ted 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 coopera- 
ting monitoring agencies in their respective countries as speci- 
fied in the Technical Monitoring Schedules; 

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate govern- 
ment 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 participa- 
ting governments. 



- 4 - 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1987 



CANADA - UNITED STATES 



June 1987 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

PREAMBLE 3 

CANADA 5 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING 6 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 8 

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 12 

GROUND WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN 14 
DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 

GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON 16 
AREA, SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL 

GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON 18 
AREA AND INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AREA, SCHEDULE B - 
PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL 

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 20 

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 22 

UNITED STATES 25 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING 26 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 28 

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 30 

GROUND WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE 32 
TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 34 



- 2 - 



PREAMBLE 

The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water 
quality and air quality monitoring locations and parameters which 
form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Govern- 
ments. 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. 

Significant additional information is being collected by agencies 
on both sides of the International Boundary, primarily for project 
management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional in- 
formation is usually available upon request from the collecting 
agency and forms part of the pool of technical information which may 
be drawn upon by Governments for specific study purposes. Examples 
of additional information are water quantity, water quality, ground- 
water and air quality data collected at points in the Poplar River 
basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In addition, supple- 
mental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish 
and waterfowl populations and aquatic vegetation is also being 
collected on either a routine or specific studies basis by various 
agencies. 



- 3 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1987 



CANADA 



- 5 - 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 



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



No. on 


Map 


Station No. 


1. 




11AE003 
(06178500) 


2. 




11AE013 


3. 




11AE015 


*4. 




11AE014 


5. 




**Fife Lake 0\ 


*6. 




11AE008 
(06178000) 



Station Name 

East Poplar River at 
International Boundary 

Cookson Reservoir near 
Coronach 

Girard Creek near Coronach 
Cookson Reservoir 

East Poplar River above 
Cookson Reservoir 



Poplar River at International 
Boundary 



* - International gauging station 
** - Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Sask Water 
during periods of outflow only. 



- 6 - 




HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) 



- 7 - 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 
Sampling Locations 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Envlronaent and Public Safety 



No. on 
Map 
1 
2 
3 
A 
5 



Statio n No. 

OTSIC07ODUOO7 

OOSK02000007 

05SK02000008 

0SSK02000004 

0031:02000003 



Station Name 

Fife Lake Overflow 

Clrard Creek at Coronach Reservoir Outflow 

Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 

Cookson Reservoir near Daa 

East Poplar River at culvert Insedlately below 

Cookson Reservoir 



Responsible Agency: Envlronaent Canada 
0OSA11AE0008 East Poplar River at International Boundary 

Paraaetera 
Responslbl* Agency: Saskatchewan Envlronaent and Public Safety 



Analytical 

Method 

Pot. Titration 

Pot. Titration 

AA-dlrect 

Flaoeless-A.A. 

Calculated 

ICPA 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 

AA-Dlract 

IR 

IR 

Calculated 

Colour laatery 

Colour laetery 

AA-dlr*ct 

HF 

MF 

Conductivity aeter 

AA-Solv«°nt extract (MIBK) 

Specific Ion electrode 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 

AA-dlrect 

Flaaeleas AA 

AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 

Co lour lae try 

Gravimetric 

Gravlaetrlc 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 

Colourloetry 

Pet. Ether Extraction 

Meter 

Colourlaetry 

Flame Photoaetery 

Hydride Generation 

Flaide Photometry 

Colourlaetry 

Gravlaetrlc 

Thermometer 

AA-Dlrect 

AA-Solvent extract (MIBK) 

Electroaetrlc 



ESQUADAT* 




Code 


Parameter 


10151 


Alkallnlty-pheno 


10101 


Alkallnlty-tot 


1300A 


Aluminum tot 


33004 


Arsenic-tot 


06201 


Blcarbonates 


05451 


Boron- tot 


48002 


Cadalua-tot 


20103 


Calclua 


06052 


Carbon-tot Inorg 


06005 


Carbon-tot Org 


06301 


Carbonates 


17203 


Chloride 


06711 


Chlorophyll 'a' 


24004 


Chroalua-tot 


36012 


Col If om- fee 


36002 


Collfora-tot 


02041 


Conductivity 


29005 


Copper-tot 


09105 


Flourlde 


82002 


L«ad-tot 


12102 


Magna* lua 


80011 


Mercury -tot 


42005 


Molybdenua 


07015 


M-TKN 


10401 


NFR 


10501 


NFR (F) 


28002 


Nickel -tot 


07110 


Nitrate + NO2 


06521 


Oil and Grease 


08102 


Oxygen-dlss 


15406 


Phosphorus-tot 


19103 


Potasslua 


34005 


Selenlua-Ext 


11002 


Sodium 


16306 


Sulphate 


10451 


TDS 


0206YZ 


Teaperature 


23004 


Vanadlua-tot 


30005 


Zinc-tot 


10301 


pH 



Sampling Frequency 




Station 










No: 1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


OP 


Q 


Q 


Q 


~T 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


U 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


1 


A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


U 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 


OF 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 




A 


A 


A 


A 




A 


A 


A 


A 


W 


Q 


Q 


Q 


Q 



*Coaputer storage and retrieval systea - Saskatchewan Envlronaent and Public Safety. 

Syabols: U - Weekly during overflow; OF - once during each period of overflow greater 
than 2 weeks' duration; Q - quarterly; A - annually In the fall; AA - atoalc 
absorption; IR - Infrared; Pot - potent loaetrlc; NFR - nonfllterable residue 
NFRF - nonfllterable residue, fixed. 

AA - Solvent Extract (MIBK): Saaple digested with HNO3 and extracted with methyl 
Isobutyl ketone. 

ICPA - Plasaa eaalsslon. 

MF - aeabrane filtration. 



- 8 - 



PARAMETERS (Continued) 



Reiponalblc Agency: Environnent Canada 



HAQUADAT* 




Code 


Parameter 


10151 


Alkalinlty-pheno 


10106 


Alkallnlty-tot 


13102 


Alualnua-Dlaa. 


13302 


Almlnvn-Ext. 


07569 


Amonla-Frec 


07506 


ABBonla-tot 


33108 


Araenlc-diaa 


56001 


BarliB-cot 


06201 


Blcarbonatea 


05105 


Boron-dlaa 


48002 


CadaluB-toC 


20103 


Calclui 


06902 


Carbon-parclc 


06002 


Carbon-Cot Org 


06301 


Carbonatea 


17206 


Chloride 


06717 


Chlorophyll a 


24003 


Chroalui-cot 


27002 


Cobalt-Cot 


36012 


Collform-f ec 


36002 


Collforn-cot 


02021 


Colour 


02041 


Conductivity 


2900S 


Copper-CoC 


06604 


Cyanide 


09106 


Fluoride 


10602 


Hardneaa 


08S01 


Hydroxide 


26104 


Iron-dlaa 


•2002 


Lcad-CoC 


12102 


Magnealua 


25104 


Manganeae-dlaa 


•0011 


Mercury-toe 


07902 


N-parclculaCe 


07631 


N-toC dlaa 


10401 


NFK 


2S002 


Mlckal-toc 


07110 


Nl crac* 


07603 


Mlcrogen-cot 


lOOXI 


Organo Chlorlnea 


08101 


Oxygen-dlaa 


1S901 


P-partlculace 


1S103 


P-Coc dlaa 


06S3S 


Ftienollca 


1SSXX 


nienoxy Herblcldea 


15406 


Fhoaphorua-coc 


19103 


PoCaaalua 


18599 


Pic lor as 


11250 


PercenC Sodlua 


00210 


Sac Index 


34108 


Selenlta-dlaa 


U102 


Silica 


11103 


SodluB 


00211 


scab Index 


16306 


Sulphace 


00201 


TDS 


02061 


Tenperacure 


02073 


Turbldlcy 


23002 


Vanadlui-tot 


30005 


Zlnc-CoC 


10301 


pH 


92111 


UranluB 



Analytical 
Method 

Potendometrlc 
IR Detector 
AA- Direct 
AA-Dlrect 
Calculated 
Eleccronecrlc 
Plaama 
AA DlrecC 
Calculaced 
Caralnlc Acid 
AA Solv. ExC. 
AA-DlrecC 
EleaenCal Analyzer 
Calculaced 
Calculaced 
Colourlaecrlc 
SpeccrophoconeCrlc 
AA-Solv. ExC. 
AA Solv. Bcc. 
MF 
MF 

Coaparacor 
UheaCaCone Bridge 
AA-Solv. Bcc. 
UV-Colourlaecrlc 
ElecCroaeCrlc 
Calculaced 
Calculaced 
AA-dlrect 
AA-Solv. BcC. 
AA-dlrecC 
AA-dlrecC 
Flaaeleaa AA 
EleaenCal Analyxer 
UV Colourlaecrlc 
CravlaeCrlc 
AA-Solv. Bet. 
Colourlaecrlc 
Calculaced 
GC 

Winkler 
Calculaced 
Colourlaecrlc 
Colourlaecrlc 
GC 

Colourlaecrlc 
Flaae Bilaalon 
CC 

Calculaced 
Calculaced 
Plaaaa 

Colourlaecrlc 
Flaae Bilaalon 
Calculaced 
Colourlaecrlc 
Calculaced 
Alcohol 
Nephelonecrlc 
AA-So Iv. Ex c . 
AA-Solv. Exc. 
ElecCroaeCrlc 
Fluroaecrlc 



Saapllng Frequency 

Station 

No: 6 



N 

N 

H 

N 

M 

H 

M 

N 

N 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

H 

M 

M 

H 

M 

H 

N 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

H 

N 

M 

M 

M 

H 

M 

H 

H 

M 

M 

H 

M 

H 

M 

N 

M 

M 

M 



M 

M 

H 

HC 



*Coaputer aCorage and recrleval ayacen - Envlronaenc Canada 

Syabola: M-HonChly; AA-aCoalc abaorpclon; MF-aeabrane filtration; UV-ultravlolef 

NFR-nonfllCerable realdue; GC-gaa chroaatography; MC-Monthly Coaposlte' 

IR-lnfrared 



- 9 




LEGEND 
A ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN 
■ ENVIRONMENT CANADA 



CANADA 
U.$.A. 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) 



- 11 



GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING 

Saapllng Location* 

Responalble Agency: Saskatchewan Envlron>ent and Public Safety 

Station Deacrlptlon 



8« 



8* 
9a 



9a 

2a 
2b 
2c 
C533 
C53A 
18 
21 



SPC 
Plezoaeter No. 

C726A 

C726C 

C726E 

C728A 

C728B 

C728C 

C728D 

C728E 

C712B 

C718 

0719 

0533 

0534 

0741** 

0742** 



Saapllng 
Elevation (n) 

746.338 
752.739 
738.725 
753.405 
743.265 
747.645 
752.305 
739.912 
. 746.112 
748.385 
747.715 
740.441 
753.499 
735.153 
741.800 



Material 

unoxldlzed till 
oxidized till 
Eopress gravel 
oxidized till 
unoxldlzed till 
mottled till 
oxidized till 
Empress gravel 
oxidized till 
mottled till 
oxidized till 
Empress gravel 
till 

Empress gravel 
Empress gravel 



Parameters 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 



ESQUADAT* 
Code 



Analytical 
Method 



Sampling Frequency 
Station 
No: Piezometers 



10101 


AlkalinlCy-tot 


Pot-Titratlon 




A 


13105 


AltialnuB-Dlss 


AA-Direct 




3** 


33104 


Araenlc-Olss 


Flaaeless AA 




A 


56104 


Barlua-Dlsa 


AA-Oirect 




A 


06201 


Blcarboaataa 


Calculated 




A 


05106 


Boron-dtas 


Colour iaetry 




3** 


48102 


Oadaiiia-Dlaa 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


20103 


Oalclua-Dlaa 


AA-direct 




A 


06301 


Oarbonatea 


Calculated 




A 


17203 


Chloride-Dlaa 


Colouriaetry 




A 


24104 


OhroaiuB-Dlaa 


AA-Direct 




A 


27102 


Colbalt-Dlas 


AA-Solvant Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


02011 


Coloiir 


Comparator 




A 


02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity aeter 




3** 


29105 


Copper-Diaa 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


09105 


FIuoride-Diss 


Specific Ion Electrode 


A 


26014 


Iron-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


82103 


Lead-Diaa 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 


12102 


Magnesiua-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


25104 


Manganese-Diss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


80111 


Mercury-Dlss 


Flaaeless AA 




A 


42102 


MolybdenuB-Dlss 


AA-Solvent extract 
acetate) 


(N-Butyl 


A 


10301 


pH 


Electrometrlc 




3** 


19103 


Potassluffl-Dlss 


Flame Photometry 




A 


34105 


Selenlua-Dlss 


Hydride generation 




A 


14102 


Slllca-Dlss 


Colourimetry 




A 


11103 


Sodlum-Dlss 


Flaaw Photometry 




A 


38101 


StrontluB-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




3** 


16306 


Sulphate-Oiss 


Colourimetry 




3** 


10451 


TDS 


Gravimetric 




3** 


92111 


Uranlua-Diss 


Fluorometry 




3** 


23104 


VanadluB-Dlss 


AA-Dlrect 




A 


97025 


Water Level 






A 


30105 


Zlnc-Dlas 


AA-Solvent Extract 


(MIBK) 


A 



*Coaputer Storage and Retrieval System - Saskatchewan Environment and Publl 

Safety. 
Symbols: AA - atomic absorption. A - Annually. 3 - Three times per year 

AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK): sample acidified and extracted with Methyl 

Isobutyl Ketone. 
**Analyce annually only for piezometer Nos. C741 and 0742. 



- 12 - 



R. 27 



R.26 




Ash 
Loqoons 



C533 
C534 



1/9 



21 



A 

SCALE 



CANADA 



US. A. 



GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



13 



GROUND WATER PIBZOMBTERS TO MOMITOR 

POTENTIAL DRAVroOVfN DUE TO COAL 

SEAM DBWATBRING 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation 
Heasurement Frequency: Quarterly 



SPC 


Station 




Sampling 


Perforation Zone 


Piezometer No. 


Number 


Location 


Elevation (m) 


(depth in metres) 


52 


52 


NW14-1-27W3 


738.43 


43 - 49 (in coal) 


506 


506A 


SW4-1-27W3 


748.27 


81 - 82 (in coal) 


507 


507 


SW6-1-26W3 


725.27 


34 - 35 (in coal) 


509 


509 


NW11-1-27W3 


725.82 


76 - 77 (in coal) 


510 


510 


NW1-1-28W3 


769.34 


28 - 29 (in layen 



coal and clay) 



- 14 - 




CANADA 
USA 



GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



J 



- 15 - 



GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA 

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL 

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 



Station 

la 

lb 

Ic 

2ai 

232 

233 

2a4 

2b 

2c 

3a 

3b 

3c 



SPC 

Piezometer No. 

C716 

C717 

C711 

C712A 

C712B 

C712C 

C712D 

C718 

C719 

C713 

C720 

C721 



Frequency of Measurement 

All piezometer levels 
are measured quarterly 



6a 1 
6a2 
6a3 
634 



7a 



7a2 
7a3 

734 
C534 



C763A 
C763B 
C763C 
C763D 
C729A 
C729B 
C729C 
C729D 
C534 



8ai 
8a2 
833 
834 
8bi 
8b2 
8b3 
8ci 
8c2 
8C3 
8C4 
8d 



C730A 
C730B 
C730C 
C730D 
C727A 
C727B 
C727C 
C726A 
C726B 
C726C 
C726D 
C748 



9a 1 
9a2 

933 
9a4 
9bi 
9b2 
9b3 
9b4 



C764A 
C764B 
C764C 
C764D 
C728A 
C728B 
C728C 
C728D 



- 16 - 



R. 2T 



R.26 



LEGEND 

SCALE 

Q Si««l* Pitiemcr ia Till e tee lOocMCTiitt 




Ath 
La good 



A 



CANADA 



US. A. 



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 and Public Safety 



Station 


SPG 






Immediate Ash Lagoon Area 


Piezometer 


No. 


Frequency of Measurement 


1 


C731 




All piezometers are 


6a 


C763E 




monitored quarterly 


6b 


C765A 






C529 


C529 






C530 


C530 






C532 


C532 






C533 


C533 






C538 


G538 






8 


C730E 






9 


C728E 






West of Ash Lagoon Area 








11 


C743 






14 


C7A0 






16 


C756 







South of Ash Lagoon Area 



C525 


C525 


C526 


C526 


C527 


C527 


C539 


C539 


C5A0 


C540 


18 


C741 


19 


C735 


20 


,C736 


21 


C742 


22 


C733 


23 


C732 


24 


C734 



- 18 - 



R 27 



R.26 



Pitie«*t*r« ia Ea»r*M 

^PitzoMtttr* ■ Hart Sm 
8 Sit* Nankar 



A 



SCALE 

KMO HCTaCI 




CANADA 



US. A. 



PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION SITES - SCHEDULE 'B' PIEZOMETERS IN EMPRESS GRAVEL 



19 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 



No. on Map Location 
1 Coronach 



Parameters Reporting Frequency 

Sulphur Continuous monitoring with 

Dioxide hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 



International 
Boundary* 



Wind speed 
and 
direction 

Total 

Suspended 
Particulates 



Sulphur 
Dioxide 



Continuous monitoring 
with hourly averages as 
summary statistics. 

24-hour samples on a 
6-day cycle, corresponding 
to the National Air 
Pollution Surveillance 
Sampling Schedule. 

Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary 
statistics. 



METHODS 



Total 

Suspended 
Particulates 



2A-hour samples on 
6-day cycle, corresponding 
to the National Air 
Pollution Surveillance 
Sampling Schedule. 



Sulphur Dioxide 



Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 
Colourlmetric Titration, 
Pulsed Fluorescence 



Total Suspended 
Particulates 



Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 
High Volume Method 



*The station operated by Saskatchewan Power. 



- 20 - 




CANADA 
USA 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) 



- 21 - 



SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 
Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety 



No. on Map 
1 



Station Location 

At Poplar River 
Power Plant 



Parameters 

Sulphur Dioxide 
Nitrogen Dioxide, 
Opacity. 



Sampling Frequency 

Continuous reported 
as Hourly Averages 



METHODS 



Sulphur Dioxide 



Nitrogen Dioxide 



Opacity 



Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - 
Ultraviolet Absorption 

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - 
Cheml luminescence 

Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety - 
Optical 



22 - 



R 27 



R.26 



T.I 




Ash 
Loqoons 



A 



SCALE 

•OO 1000 H(T«(t 
-> , 1 k 



CANADA 



U.S. A. 



SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING 



!3 - 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1987 



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 

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

Boundary 



* International gauging station 



- 26 - 



■^ 




CANADA 
USA. 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



- 27 - 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING 

Station Location 

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey 







USGS 


No. 


on 


Station 


Map 


— 


No. 


1 




06178000 


2 




06178SOO 


3 




06179000 



Station Name 

Poplar River at International Boundary 

East Poplar River at International 

Boundary 

East Poplar River near Scobey 



PARAMETERS 



WATSTORE* 




Sbi 
Analytical 


Code 


Paraaeter 


method Ro. 


90A10 


Alk.linity-l«b 


Elect. Titration 


0U06 


AluminuB-disi 


AA 


00610 


AoDonia-cot 


Colorimetric 


00625 


Aamania^Org N-tot 


Colorimetric 


01000 


Arsenic-diaa 


AA. hydride 


01002 


Araenic-tot 


AA, hydride 


01010 


BerylliuB-dias 


AA 


01012 


Beryl liint-tot/rac 


AA-Peraul{ate 


01020 


BoroD-diaa 


ICP 


01025 


Cadmius-diaa 


AA 


01027 


Cadaiim-cot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


00915 


Calcium 


AA 


00680 


Carboi^tot Org 


Wet Oxidation 


009A0 


Chloride— diss 


Ion chromatography 


01030 


Chroaiuv-diaa 


AA 


01034 


Chromiim-tot/rec 


AA-per«ulfate 


00080 


Color 


Electroaetric, viaual 


00095 


ConductiTity 


Vheatatone Bridge 


OlOAO 


Copper-diaa 


AA 


01042 


Copper-tot/rcc 


AA-peraulfate 


00061 


Diacbarge-inat 


Direct meaaur. 


00950 


Fluoride 


Elactrometric 


01046 


Iron-diaa 


AA 


01045 


Iron-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


01049 


Lcad-dia* 


AA 


01051 


Lead-tot/rec 


AA-peraulfate 


00925 


Hagneaiuv-diaa 


AA 


01056 


Hangancac— diaa 


AA 


01055 


HaDgaocae-cot/rcc 


AA-peraulfate 


01065 


Nickel-diaa 


AA 


01067 


Nickel tot/rcc 


AA-peraulfate 


00615 


Mierite-tot 


Color Inetrlc 


00630 


Nitratr»Nitrite-toc 


Colorimetric 


00300 


Oxygeo-diaa 


Winkler/meter 


70507 


Phoa, Ortho-tot 


Colorimetric 


00400 


pH 


Electrometric 


00665 


Phophoroua-tot 


Colorimetric 


00935 


Potaaaiis-diaa 


AA 


00931 


SAX 


Calculated 


80154 


Sed iaent-cooc. 


Filtration-gravimetric 


80155 


Sad iaeat- load 


Calculated 


01145 


Seleaiivdiaa 


AA, hydride 


01147 


Selenitoi tot/rac 


AA, hydride 


00955 


Silica 


Colorimetric 


00930 


Sodium 


AA 


00945 


Sulfate-diaa 


Colorimetric 


70301 


Total Diaaolved Solida 


Calculated 


00010 


Temp Uater 


Toluene 


00020 


Temp Air 


Toluene 


00076 


Turbidity 


Nephelometric 


80020 


Oranium-diaa 


Fluor imctric 


01090 


Zinc-diaa 


AA 


01092 


Zinc-tot/rac 


AA-peraulfatc 



Smapling Frequ 



*Computer atorag* and retrieval ayatem - OSCS 

Symbola: C-continuooa; D-daily; M-awnthly; MC-monthly eompoaite; A-aanoally 
at high flow; 8A-a«mi-annually at low and high flow; AA-atomic 
abaorption; tet-total; rae-racorerable; diaa-diaaelved 

- 28 - 




CANADA 

U.SA. 



SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



- 29 - 



CKOUND WATER QUALITY MOWITOKIMC 

Station Location! 

■(••ponaible Agency: Montana Bureau of Hinea and Geology 







Total Caaing 


Pa 


rforatloB 


Hap 


Well 


Depth Diaaeter 




Zone 


HiMibar 


Location 


(>) (e.) 


Aquifer 


(a) 


2 


37N47E17DABB 


79 3.8 PVC 


Hart Coal 


76-79 


3 


37M47E23AADD 


36 3.8 FVC 


Hart Coal 


33-36 


A 


37M48E23BBCC 


104 3.8 PVC 


Fox HlUa- 
Hell Creek 


102-104 


S 


37N47E1ABBB1 


16 10.2 rvc 


Alluvlua 


10-15 


6 


37N47E1ABBB2 


2S 10.2 PVC 


Hart Coat 


19-25 


7 


37M47E12BBBB 


45 10.2 PVC 


Hart Coal 


39-45 


8 


37K47E13AADD 


14 10.2 PVC 


Alluvlua 


10-13 


» 


37N47Et3ADAA01 


43 










63 10.2 PVC 


Port dnloo 


16-62 


10 


37M48ESBABB 


13 10.2 PVC 


Alluvlua-Coal 


7-13 


11 


37M48ESAAAA 


67 15.2 STEEL Pox Hilla- 


65-67 








Hall Creek 




12 


37N47E Sec 11 DDDD 


26 5.08 


Hart Coal 


15-18 


13 


37H47E Sec 3 CCCC 


62.5 10.2 


Hart Coal 


56-59 


14 


37M47E Sec 4 BBAB 


82.6 10.2 


Hart Coal 


75-78 


15 


37N47E Sec 3 BBAA 


89 10.2 


Hart Coal 


83-86 


16 


37N46E Sec 3 ABAB 


26 10.2 




24-25 


17 


37M47E Sec 14 DDDD 


88 10.6 


Hart Coal 


80-83 


18 


37N46E Sec 1 8BBA 


90 10.2 


Hart Coal 


80-82 


19 


37N47E Sec IS AAAB 


59 10.2 


Hart Coal 


54-56 


20 


37R47E Sec 24 CCCC 


22 5.08 




19-22 


21 


37M47E Sec 6 DBAA 


106 10.2 


Hart Coal 


100-103 


22 


37N47E Sec 9 CBCC 
Parameters 


21 10.2 




18-21 


Storet* 




Analytical 


Sampling Frequency 


Code 


Paranecer 
Blcarbonaces 


Method 


Station No. 


00440 


Electroraccrlc 


Sample coll 


ection 






Titration 


is semi-annually 


01020 


Boron-dlss 


Emission Plasma 


for all locations 






ICP 


Identified 


above. 


00915 


Calclun 


Emission Plasma 






00445 


Carbonacea 


Electrometrlc 


The analyti 


cai method 






Titration 


descriptions are those 


00940 


Chloride 


Ion Chromatography of the Mont 


ana Bureau 








of Mines and Geology 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatatone Brdg 


Laboratory 


where the 


01040 


Copper-dlaa 


Emission Plasma, 
ICP 


saoplea are 


analyzed. 


00950 


Fluoride 


Ion Chromatography 




01046 


Iron-diss 


Enlsslon Plasma, 


ICP 




01049 


Lead-dtss 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




01130 


LlChluB-dlas 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




00925 


Magnesluo 


Enlsslon Plasma, 


ICP 




01056 


Manganese-dlss 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




01060 


Molybdenum 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




00630 


Nitrate 


Ion Chromatography 




00400 


pH 


Electrometrlc 






00935 


Potassium 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




01145 


Selenluffl-dlss 


AA 






00955 


Silica 


Emlasion Plasma, 


ICP 




00930 


Sodium 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




010B0 


Strontium-dlss 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




00445 


Sulphate 


Ion Chromatography 




22703 


Uranium 


Fusion Flurometrlc 




00190 


Zlnc-dlss 


Emission Plasma, 


ICP 




70301 


TDS 


Calculated 







♦Computer storage and retrieval system - United States Geological Survey 
Symbols: AA-Atomic Absorption; ICP-Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit 



- 30 - 




GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



- 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 




GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITER POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



- 33 - 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 

Responsible Agency: State of Montana 

Air Quality Bureau 



Sulfur Dioxide 

Total Suspended 
Particulates 



Sulfation Rate 



Sampling Frequency 
and Reporting 

Hourly averages 
24-hour averages 
Hourly averages 
Hourly averages 
Hourly averages 
Monthly averages 

Monthly averages 



Monthly averages 
Monthly averages 
Monthly averages 
Monthly averages 
Monthly averages 



EPA Equivalent Method EQSA-0276-009 

EPA Reference Method CFR Title 40 Part 50, Appendix B 
(State of Montana QA Manual Section 1.1.10 and 1.2.10), 
24-hour sample once/6 days 

Methods of Air Sampling and Analysis, 2nd Edition, 
'Tentative Method of Analysis of the Sulfation Rate of 
the Atmosphere (Lead Dioxide Plate Method - Turbldlmetrlc 
Analysis)," p. 691. 



No. on Map 


Location* 


Parameters 


1 


Don Marlenee 


Sulphur dioxide 




Ranch 


Suspended particulates 
Wind speed 
Wind direction 
Temperature 
Sulfation rate 


2 


Scobey - 
Richardson 


Sulfation rate 


3 


Microwave Tower 


Sulfation rate 


4 


Flaxvllle 


Sulfation rate 


5 


TV Tower Hill 


Sulfation rate 


6 


Scobey-Downtown 


Sulfation rate 


7 


Four Buttes 


Sulfation rate 


METHODS 







♦Continuous monitoring site (#1) will operate through the end of June 1987. 
Sulfation plate network may be reduced In size to 3-4 sites. 



- 34 - 




CANADA 
USA 



Scobty 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



- 35 - 



ANNEX 3 



REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1986 



BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



- 1 - 



REPORTS REVIEWED DURING 1986 BY THE POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



1. Munro, D.J., 1985, Report on Mercury in Cookson Reservoir 

[Saskatchewan] : Regina, Saskatchewan, Environment Canada, Water 
Quality Branch, WQB-WNR-85-02, pp. 25. 



- 2 - 



ANNEX 4 



RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT 



IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN 



BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD, 



POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976) 



- 1 



♦RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT 
IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN 

The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries In the Poplar 
River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally 
between Canada and the United States subject to the following conditions: 

1. The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all Its 
tributaries crossing the International Boundary shall be divided 
equally between Canada and the United States but the flow at the 
International Boundary In each tributary shall not be depleted 
by more than 60 percent of Its natural flow. 

2. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries 
In the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary 
shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States. 
Specific conditions of this division are as follows: 

a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 
percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River 
at the International Boundary, as determined below the con- 
fluence 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 decametres (3,800 
acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 
cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) 
shall be delivered to the United States on the East 
Poplar River at the International Boundary throughout 
the suceedlng 12 month period commencing June 1st. In 
addition, a volume of 370 cubic decametres (300 acre-feet) 
shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at 
any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st. 

II) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar 
River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, 
during the Immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st 
period Is greater than 4,690 cubic decametres (3,800 
acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decametres 
7,500 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057 

*Canada-Unlted States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment. Poplar 
River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, International Sourls-Red 
^Rivers Board, Poplar River Task Force, 43 pp. 

-2- 



cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall 
be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River 
at the International Boundary during the succeeding period 
June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.028 
cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall 
then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st 
of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic 
decametres (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United 
States upon demand at any time during the 12-inonth period 
commencing June 1st. 

ill) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar 
River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, 
during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st 
period is greater than 9,250 cubic decametres (7,500 
acre-feet), but does not exceed 14,800 cubic decametres 
(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 decametres (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 decametres (12,000 acre-feet) then a con- 
tinuous 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 suceeding 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 decametres 
(1,000 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States 
upon demand at any time during the 12-month period com- 
mencing 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. 

3. The natural flow and division periods for apportionment purposes 
shall be determined, unless otherwise specified, for periods of 
time commensurate with the uses and requirements of both countries. 

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ANNEX 5 



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. 

cm^ = 0.155 iti^ 

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

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10~\^ 

ha = 10,000 m^ = 2.471 ac 

hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft 

hm^ = 1 X 10^ m^ 

I.gpm = 0.0758 L/s 

in ■ 2.54 cm 

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X 10"^ tons 

km = 0.62137 miles 

km2 = 0.3861 mi^ 

L = 0.3532 ft3 = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal 

L/s = 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm 

m - 3.2808 ft 

m^ = 10.7636 ft^ 

m3 = 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I. gal = 264.2 U.S. gal 

m^/s = 35.314 cfs 

mm = 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 sub8tance/24.45) mg/m^ 

- 2 -