S Poplar River

333,91 Bilateral

1<2(iprar Monitoring

Annual report of

the governments of

Canactat Unite'!

States V H«5

1985 ANNUAL REPORT

STATE DOCUMfNTS COLLECTION FEB / 1990

to the

MONTANA STATb LibRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MONTANA 59o20 GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1985

ASE RETUR

May. 1986
Montana State Librat\

3 0864 1004 5789 7
1985 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

Covering Calendar Year 1985

May, 1986

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

TO:

Department of State Department of External Affairs

Washington, D.C., United States Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Governor's Office, State of Montana Saskatchewan Environment

Helena, Montana, United States Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Gentlemen:

During 1985, 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 1985 Technical Monitoring

Schedule. The monitoring data were exchanged on a quarterly basis.

Herein is the report of activities of 1985 and the proposed monitoring

schedule for 1986.

The report summarizes current conditions relative to pre-project

conditions and compares current conditions to guidelines for specific

parameter values that were developed under International Joint Commission

references. References are made to State, Provincial, or Federal

standards or objectives where these are relevant. After examination and evaluation of the monitoring information for 1985, the Committee finds

that the measured conditions are within the norms of the accepted

objectives.
- 1 ^

The Committee was advised that Saskatchewan Environment has required the developers of the new coal mines, 10 to 15 kilometres east of the present

mine, to conduct an environmental impact study. The study will address

the question of dewatering effects and will be available for public review

during 1987.

In September 1985 the initial five-year term of the Cooperative Monitoring

Arrangement expired. In accordance with Article 5 the parties agreed to a

one-year extension. It is respectfully suggested that the arrangement be

extended for a further five-year period or until such time as governments

have finalized arrangements for another body to monitor developments in

the Poplar River Basin.

Yours sincerely.

<~fl\- Ka,^c.< rJj^

J. 'R. Knapton / Chairman, United States Section

G. W. Howard \

Acting ChS+wwdn, Canadian Section

/r.R. E. Driear

Member, United States Section

W. D. Gummer

Member, Canadian Section

POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL i 1985 HIGHLIGHTS v INTRODUCTION 1 POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AND MINING 4 Operation 4 Construction 5 Mining 6 SURFACE WATER QUANTITY 9 Streamflow 9 Minimum Flows 10 Reservoir Storage 11 On-Demand Release 11 SURFACE WATER QUALITY 12 East-Poplar River at the International Boundary 12 Total Dissolved Solids 13 Boron 15 Other Water Quality Characteristics 17 Cookson Reservoir 17 Data Comparison 19 GROUND WATER QUANTITY 21 Coal Mine Dewatering in Saskatchewan 21 Discharges 21 Water Levels 22 Montana 22 GROUND WATER QUALITY 24 Saskatchewan 24 Water Quality in the Tills 24 Water Quality in the Empress Gravels 26 Montana 27 ASH LAGOON QUALITY AND QUANTITY 28 AIR QUALITY 31 Saskatchewan 31 Montana 34 Table 1 - 1985 Operating Statistics for Generating

Units No. 1 and No. 2 4 Table 2 - Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1985 11
- TV -

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

Page

Table 3 - Recommended Water Quality Objectives, Excursions

and the 1985 Sampling Program, East Poplar River

at the International Boundary 18 Table 4 - Data Comparison, June 11, 1985 Sampling Trip 19 Table 5 - Data Comparability, December 17, 1985 Sampling Trip . . 20 Table 6 - 1985 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities. . 21 Table 7 - Calculated Seepage Rates 28 Table 8 - Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results

During 1985 in Montana 35 Figure 1 - Poplar River Mine Expansion

Figure 2 - Discharge During 1985 Compared with Median Discharge for

1951-80 for the Poplar River at International Boundary . 9 Figure 3 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar

River at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow 10 Figure 4 - (a) Three-Month Flow-Weighted Concentration for TDS; East Poplar River at the International Boundary;

(b) Five-Year Flow-Weighted Concentration for TDS; East Poplar River at the International Boundary 14

Figure 5 - (a) Three-Month Flow-Weighted Concentration for Boron;

East Poplar River at the International Boundary;

(b) Five-Year Flow-Weighted Concentration for Boron; East Poplar River at the International Boundary 16 Figure 6 - Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1985 23 Figure 7 - Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations;

East Poplar River Monitoring Piezometers 25

Figure 8 - Saskatchewan Maximum Hourly SO2 Air Quality Data .... 32

Figure 9 - Saskatchewan Maximum Daily SO2 Air Quality Data .... 33

Figure 10 - Surface Wind Roses 39

Annex 1 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitori-ng Arrangement,

Canada-United States.

Annex 2 - Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement,

Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1986, Canada-United States

Annex 3 - Metric Conversions
- V

-

1985 HIGHLIGHTS

1985 was the second full year of operation for two 300 megawatt coal-fired

units. Over 4,560,700 gross megawatt hours of electricity were generated. The number of start-ups was down to 21 compared to 29 in 1984

and a high of 58 in 1983. As a result the consumption of oil fell to 2,743 tonnes, compared to 3,700 tonnes in 1984 and 13,756 tonnes in 1983.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States was exchanged on a quarterly basis. In general the sampling locations,

frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements identified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Air quality monitoring in Montana was conducted only until the end of June because of funding restrictions.

Sulfation sites, however, were operated for the entire year.

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

throughout the year which exceeded the minimum flow requirements

recommended to Governments by the International Joint Commission. On April 2, 1985, Montana requested delivery of the 617 cubic decametres of on-demand release it is entitled to. The requested amount was not delivered In the 37-day period requested but was delivered within 40

days. Runoff in the basin was again below normal during 1985.

Boron and total dissolved solids concentrations in the East Poplar River

were below the long-term and short-term objectives recommended by the

International Joint Commission to Governments. There were no exceedances

of other water quality objectives recommended to Governments by the
VI

International Joint Commission. Continued investigations of U.S. Geological Survey and Environment Canada quality assurance data have not resolved incompatibility for certain parameters. Additional quality

assurance work has been recommended for 1986.

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

remained about the same distance north of the International Boundary.

The total estimated seepage from the ash lagoons and polishing ponds was

0.750 litre per second, well below the seepage limits proposed by the

International Poplar River Water Quality Board. The leachate front has

been calculated to have advanced 4.23 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.
INTRODUCTION

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

Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. In 1985 the

Arrangement was extended by mutual agreement for another year.

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 1985, the members and ex-officio

members of the Committee were:

Mr. J. R. Knapton

U. S. Geological Survey

Chairman, U.S. Section

Mr. R. E. Driear Governor's Office

Member, U.S. Section

Mr. C. W. Tande

Daniels County Commissioner

Ex-officio Member, Montana

Mr. G. W. Howard

Saskatchewan Environment

Acting Chairman, Canadian Section

W. D. Gummer Environment Canada

Member, Canadian Section

Mr. J. R. Totton

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

1 -
2

-

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 exchange

of data acquired through the monitoring programs. The exchange 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 monitoring results requested by the

Committee are sometimes published. Any such reports are reviewed annually

by the Committee. No such reports were received by the Committee in

1985. 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 1985 being the fifth report in
the series. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention.

Another responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of the monitoring programs in both countries and make recommendations to Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The Schedules are updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications

In sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the forthcoming year. The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring

Schedules as information requirements change.
POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AND MINING

Operation

The two units operated for the full reporting period. The 1985 operating

statistics for the two units are shown in Table 1:

Table 1

1985 Operating Statistics for Generating Units No. 1 and No. 2 .

Unit 1 Unit 2 Hours of Operation

Gross MWhr Generated

Availability (hours) (percent)

Capacity Factor (percent)

Number of Start Ups

Coal Consumed (tonnes)

Oil Consumed (tonnes) Hours in Period

8 219
- 5

-

On October 22, 1985 approximately 90 m-^ of ash recirculation water and some ash spilled adjacent to the ash recirculation pumphouse. The

pumphouse is located at the northwest corner of the polishing pond. Most

of the spilled water flowed into the pumphouse sumps which discharge to

the ash lagoons. The remaining spill liquid was contained in the Immediate vicinity. Cleanup procedures were implemented and no spill

materials entered Cookson Reservoir.

On December 1, 1985 approximately 2 m^ of ash and an unknown quantity of

ash recirculation water spilled near the sewage holding pond. Reliable

evaluation of the spill volume was not possible due to adverse weather

conditions and snow cover. For the same reasons, effective clean-up was

not practical. However, the spill materials are contained upstream of the drainage ditch main control structure. The ash will be removed once weather conditions permit. Ash recirculation water from the spill will be monitored prior to release to Cookson Reservoir.

Construction

A fourth ash recirculation water pump was installed in the ash recirculation pumphouse improving ash handling reliability. Supplemental

quantities of reservoir water for ash sluicing, often necessary during

recirculation pump failure, will be reduced. This will help maintain a controlled ash lagoon water balance.
6

-

A cross dyke to elevation 764.4 m was constructed in the fall of 1985

separating Ash Lagoon No. 3 into a north and south section. The north

section dyking and liner is complete. Installation of a return structure

to the polishing pond and ash piping to Ash Lagoon No. 3 north is planned

for 1986 spring.

An interceptor trench was constructed along the outside of the cross dyke

and the remaining exposed southern portion of Ash Lagoon No. 2 east dyke.

The trench consists of pervious sand fill and perforated pipe drainage to manhole catchment basin system. The trench is designed to prevent

groundwater mounding effects of Ash Lagoon No. 2 and Ash Lagoon No. 3

north from adversely effecting the future construction of Ash Lagoon No. 3

south.

An online ball type recirculation condenser cleaning system was installed

on Unit No. 1 in 1985. The system is identical to that installed on Unit

No. 2 in 1984. The system will continuously recirculate charges of sponge

rubber and abrasive coated sponge rubber balls through the condenser tubes

to reduce marine and scale deposits on the water side of the tubes. A

reduction in scale inhibitor chemical dosing to the cooling water inlet

and an increase in intervals between condenser acid cleans will result.

Mining

Coal mining continued to the west of Girard Creek and will continue in a

north westerly direction until 1989 or later.
- 7

-

Prairie Coal Limited has been requested by Saskatchewan Environment to undertake an environmental assessment of two new mining areas to the east

and north of Cookson Reservoir (Figure 1). Guidelines for preparation of the impact statement asked the company to address such things as ground

water, surface water and reclamation.

The impact statement should be. completed in early 1987 and will

subsequently be available for public review and comment.
-^-

V

44

'.! J ' , i > 1 I- ^ .-b-;^"
SURFACE WATER QUANTITY

Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal during 1985,

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 7 710 cubic decametres

(dam3), or 47 percent of the long-term average. A comparison of the flows

of 1985 with those of the 1951-80 median flow is shown in Figure 2.

10 F

0.01

0.001MAR

MEDIAN OF MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1951-80 MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1985

APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT

Figure 2 - Discharge during 1985 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 1985 was 2 980 dam^, or 21 percent of the mean annual flow

since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975.
10 -

Minimum Flows

The recorded runoff volume of the Poplar River at the International

Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1985 was 6 890 dam^. For the purposes of interpreting the apportionment recommendations of the IJC, the recorded

flow is assumed to be the natural flow. Based on these recommendations,

this volume entitled the United States to a minimum discharge of 0.057

cubic metre per second (m-^/s) from June 1 to August 31, 1985 and 0.028 m3/s from September 1, 1985 to May 31, 1986 on the East Poplar River

at the International Boundary. The minimum flow of 0.028 m^/s for the first 5 months of 1985 had previously been determined on the basis of the

March 1 to May 31, 1984 Poplar River volume.

The recorded flow of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

exceeded the recommended minimum throughout the year. A minimum daily

discharge of 0.051 m^/s occurred on February 12. 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.

ApportioniRMt r*coaiin«ndatia)i for mini

JAN I FEB I MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY I *U6 I SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC

Figure 3 - Hydrograph of Water Discharge of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary and Recommended Minimum Flow.
34
SURFACE WATER QUALITY

East Poplar River at the International Boundary

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

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

concentration should not exceed 3.5 mg/L boron and 1500 mg/L for

total dissolved solids for any three consecutive months in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

For the March to October period, a long-term average of flow-weighted

concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1000 mg/L or

less for total dissolved solids in the East Poplar River at the

International Boundary.

Compliance of the East Poplar River water quality with the proposed

short-term objectives for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) is tested

by calculating the 3-month (90-day) moving flow-weighted concentration for

each, advancing 1 month at a time while dropping the first month of the

three-month period. Prior to 1982, determination of compliance was based

strictly on instantaneous samples. Since the beginning of 1982, daily TDS

and boron concentrations have been computed from a regression relationship

with specific conductance. However, the data from both instantaneous

samples and from calculation of TDS and boron are presented.

12
13 -

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

objectives, the boron and TDS data are best graphically plotted as a 5-year flow-weighted moving average which is advanced one month at a time. Each point represents the flow weighted concentration for a 5-year period, with two and one-half years on either side of the plotted

point. It must be emphasized that the data base is comprised of all data

collected over the twelve 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 have been observed in either the grab sample-generated data or

in the regression-calculated data over the period of record.

The observed relationship between TDS and specific conductance for the

entire period of record is:

TDS = (0.642 X specific conductance + 9.32) (R-squared = 0.87)

The long-term, 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for TDS is shown

in Figure 4b. The long-term flow-weighted values remained well below the

proposed objective of 1,000 mg/L. Because flow weighting is calculated

across five years, a radical change in flow or the instantaneous

concentrations can significantly alter the plot of the moving 5-year

concentrations (see Figure 4b). The decrease depicted in the graph.
TDS

(mg/L)

1700-r

18004-

tsoo--

1400

1300'

iaoo-|-

1100--

1000-f

900

aoo700--

B00--

900--

400--

»00--

- a

Short-term objective (1500 mg/L)

•- calculated data mean monthly grab sample data

^ j+\ .+;

- b

TDS

(mg/L)

Long-term Objective (1000 titg/L)

1979 1980 Time

Figure 4 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b)

Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for TDS, East Poplar River at the International Boundary
- 15

from 721 to 548 mg/L, is attributed to the wery high flows of March and April 1982. The flow was approximately 30 m^/s in April, almost two orders of magnitude higher than the flows recorded at time of water sample

collection during the period July 1979 to February 1982.

The instantaneous concentrations for TDS ranged from 780 mg/L in May 1985

to 1000 mg/L recorded in November 1985 with an annual mean of 911 mg/L.

Boron

The proposed short-term objective for boron is 3.5 mg/L. Figure 5a shows the

3-month moving flow-weighted concentration. There were no excursions over the

period of record (1975 to 1985). The maximum flow-weighted concentration during

1985, calculated from the regression equation, was 1.85 mg/L. Whereas the maximum calculated from the grab-sample data was 1.75 mg/L. The maximum

instantaneous boron concentration observed was 2.0 mg/L.

The relationship between boron and specific conductance over the entire period

of record is described by the equation:

B = (0.00146 X specific conductance) - 0.26 (R-squared = 0.75)

The trend in each annual curve is similar. As autumn approaches, the

3-month flow-weighted concentrations rise gradually as the ground water contribution accounts for a greater percentage of the streamflow. In 1984

and 1985 the amplitude of the annual fluctuation is considerably less than

in some previous years. This is probably due to the paucity of runoff

from snowmelt during the spring of those two years.
3.B

3.4--

3.2

3.0-

a

2.6-

1.4-

2.2-- Boron 2.0 (mg/L)

1.0

o.a-t0.8-

0.4--

0.2-

Shopt-term objective (3.5 mg/L)

-t- calculated data

mean monthly gnab-sample data

1979 1980 Time

^•|

Ki

^' ^t^

2.7-1-

2.8--

2.S

2.4--

2.3-

2.2-

2.1--

2.0--

9-- Boron

(mg/L)

Long-term objective (2.5 mg/L)

M 'I H '114. —r—t- r -I r--\-—T~ \-—r~

tSaO 19fli 19B2 1983 1984

Figure 5 (a) Three-month Short-term Flow-weighted Concentration for Boron, East Poplar River at the International Boundary; (b)

Five-year Long-term Flow-weighted Concentration for Boron, East Poplar River at the International Boundary
17

The long-term 5-year moving flow-weighted mean concentration is presented

in Figure 5b. Although only the irrigation season (March to October) was of concern to the IJC, all yearly values are included in Figures 6 & 7, in order

to better present long term trends in the data.

The 5-year moving average boron concentration does not at any time during

the period of record, exceed the 2.5 mg/L recommended long-term

objective. The maximum value for observed is 1.47, recorded for the

5-year period July 1976 to June 1981 (plotted at the January, 1979

location in Figure 5b). The large change in the plot, from 1.35 to 0.94 mg/L

Is attributed to the very high flows of April 1982 (see discussion for TDS)

coupled with a low boron concentration.

Other Water Quality Characteristics

Table 3 shows the multi-purpose water quality objectives recommended by

the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. The number

of samples collected for each parameter is also shown. No exceedences of the recommended multi-purpose objectives occurred in 1985.

Environment Canada data indicate that the dissolved mercury content of the

East Poplar River was at or below the analytical detection limit of 0.02 ug/L.

Cookson Reservoir

There are no trends yet evident in the water quality of Cookson

Reservoir. Boron and TDS concentrations remained below 2.0 and 1000 ug/L,

respectively. Dissolved oxygen levels remained high. The data provided

by Saskatchewan Environment do not exceed the objectives for the East Poplar River at the International Boundary (Table 3),
Table 3 Recommended Water Quality Objectives, Excursions and the 1985

Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary

(units in mg/L, except as otherwise noted)
19 -

Data Comparison

Quality control sampling was carried out on June 11, 1985, during which

triplicate samples were collected by Environment Canada and the United

States Geological Survey (Table 4).

Table 4 Data Comparison, June 11, 1985 Sampling Trip

(units are mg/L)
- 20

In the United States, samples were sent to the U.S. Geological Survey

laboratory (USGS), the Montana Department of Health and Environmental

Sciences (MDHES), and to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG).

The data for TDS, laboratory specific conductance and boron are shown in Table 5.

Table 5 Data Comparability, December 17, 1985 Sampling Trip

(units are mg/L)

Parameter

Environment Canada

SRC EC-NAT EC-REG

U.S. Geological Survey

M-HEALTH MBMG MDHES USGS

Total Diss. Solids

Spec Cond (us/cm)

Boron-dissolved

1124 908 1450 1450 1470

1.7 - 1.5

979 987 950

1496 1497 1550

1.7 1.8 1.8

A comparison of June quality control data indicates significant

differences in the calcium and alkalinity results which are used in the

calculation of total dissolved solids. The December results showed some improvement in the comparability of boron results. It does appear,

however, that the Water Quality Branch regional laboratory reports

consistently lower boron concentrations than the USGS laboratory.

Additional inter-agency quality control work will have to be undertaken in

1986, with the inclusion of some spiked samples and blanks.
GROUND WATER QUANTITY

Coal Mine Dewatering in Saskatchewan

Discharges

Due to coal mine dewatering activities, a total of 7,083 dam3 (5,742

acre-feet) of ground water was discharged during 1985. This amounts to 9.6 percent less pumpage than in the previous year. A summary of the

monthly pumpages from all the coal dewatering wells is shown in Table 6.

Table 6 1985 Monthly Pumpages from Mine Dewatering Activities

Month

January

February

March

April

May

June July

August

September

October

November

December

TOTAL

Pumpages

Total (dam3)
- 22

Water Levels

Two piezometric pressure maps, dated June and December, 1985, were

prepared by Prairie Coal Ltd.-'- Figure 6 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 1985 is unchanged from its position in the previous year. The

position of the one metre contour therefore remains at 1.8 kilometres

north of the International Boundary.

Montana Quarterly water levels were read in 21 wells in 1985. Wells 5, 10, 14,

and 15 were equipped with continuous recorders.

Additional development (flushing, surging, pumping) was done on wells 13

through 19, 21 and 22 in May of 1985. This resulted in a readjustment of

static water levels in wells 16, 17, 18 and 21.

Water levels in the 10 original wells continue to fluctuate within one

foot from their average values. There appears to be no noticeable impact

caused by mine dewatering activity in Saskatchewan.

1 Effective December 1, 1984, ownership and operation of the Poplar River

Mine were transferred from the Saskatchewan Power Corporation to Prairie

Coal Ltd.
23 -

106"'45 106"30' 49»15

49''00 —

Ae'AB Figure 5 Cone of Depression in the Hart Coal Seam from

Dewatering Activities as of December, 1385
GROUND WATER QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ground water sampling continued in 1985 at the locations specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

Water Quality in the Tills

Waters from the tills are of generally poorer quality than those from the Empress Gravels. This is illustrated in Figure 7, where TDS has been plotted for each piezometer. The higher, and more variable concentrations

are associated with piezometers completed in till, whereas TDS levels in Empress-completed piezometers rarely exceed 1,200 mg/L.

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

displayed an increase in uranium concentration over 1984 to mid-1985. The extremely high uranium values reported in 1985 are possibly questionable,

being about ten times the expected level. The first-quarter of 1986 results for C712B should be scrutinized to determine whether a real trend

is developing, or whether the high uranium concentrations noted in April

and July 1985 were in error. No other parameter trends are in evidence at

this location.

Locations 2b (C718) and 2c (C719), near the north edge of the polishing

lagoon similarly displayed no consistent water quality trends over the period October 1983 to the end of 1985, although the uranium concentration

at C719 fluctuates widely during the period October 1984 to October 1985.

24 -
M) (S
26

At location 9a, at the west end of the polishing lagoon, piezometers 728B and 728C show a general increase in uranium level over the period 1983 to July 1985, but the concentrations drop off again slightly in October 1985.

The variability in the concentration for most chemical species observed

both spatially and temporally in the tills can probably be attributed to localized geochemical conditions adjacent to piezometer intakes and to variability in recharge rates through the tills. In the case of sulphate,

this is supported by the observation of gypsum lenses in the tills in

drill cuttings recovered at the time of piezometer installation. The

ground water chemistry in the tills is therefore influenced by the amount

of net ground water recharge over the area, as well as the mineralogic

content of the tills at the sampling point and along the flow path of the infiltrating water.

Water Quality in the Empress Gravels

No significant water quality trends are evident in the Empress Gravels.

Figure 7 shows that TDS levels remain generally unchanged over the period

of record (1980 to 1985).

Piezometer C533 appears to have undergone a very slight increase in chloride concentration over the period of record, but no other chemical

species have increased consistently. For instance, uranium has remained

at a relatively stable concentration since early 1981 in all Empress-completed piezometers (C533, C534, C726E, and C728E). Boron

levels decreased in C533 since 1980, and showed no significant trends in

C534, C726E, and C728E.
- 27 -

The average hydraulic conductivity of the Empress Gravels is some five

orders of magnitude higher than that of the tills. The volume of water

flowing through the Empress Gravels would therefore, under similar head conditions be correspondingly much higher than the volume of leakage from

the overlying tills into the gravels. Because of this, the dilution

effect would be large enough so as to mask or otherwise render

Indeterminable the effects of increased leakage, on the water quality.of

the gravels.

Montana

Water quality samples for wells 2 through 11 were collected in August,

1985. No significant changes in water chemistry have been observed.

After additional development on wells 13 through 19, 21 and 22 (by

bailings), samples were collected from wells 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21

and 22.
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 1985, most of the sluiced ash was directed into Ash Lagoon No. 2.

The normal operation has been using Ash Lagoon No. 2 and the polishing

pond in series. Water from the polishing pond is returned to the plant

for ash sluicing. End of quarter water depths in Ash Lagoons No. 1 and 2

were in the 3.2 - 6.1 m and 3.2 - 4.2 m ranges respectively. A small

amount of ash and water were slurried to Ash Lagoon No. 3 to increase

water levels and, to protect its lining while this lagoon was not in use.

Seepage calculations were carried out in 1985 using the methods developed

by T.E.A. Prickett, P.E., of Urbana, Illinois. Results of the

calculations for Ash Lagoons No. 1 and 2 and the polishing pond are as

follows:

Table 7 Calculated Seepage Rates

Source Rate (L/s)

Polishing Pond 0.239

Ash Lagoon No. 1 0.172

Ash Lagoon No. 2 0.339

Total Seepage 0.750

- 28
- 29 -

The 1985 calculated seepage was greater than that calculated for the year

1984. This has been attributed largely to the loading effects on Ash

Lagoon No. 2. 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 were calculated and found to be the same order of magnitude (10-9 cm/s) as originally calculated by

T.E.A. Prickett.

The advancement of the seepage front towards the reservoir in the oxidized

till was calculated at 4.23 m since the ponds were initially filled, which

is an increase of 1.75 m since 1984. Whereas the seepage front in the Empress formation was calculated to have advanced 628 m southeast of the

lagoons, an increase of 144 m since 1984. 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 was zero to date.

Saskatchewan Environment requires that the Saskatchewan 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 May, 1985. The freeboard requirements were exceeded during a short time in the late spring of 1985 in order to minimize any ash blowing problems from Ash Lagoon No. 1. This matter has

been remedied and satisfactory freeboard maintenance has been subsequently
30

practised. Additional piezometers were installed in July, 1985 by SPC to provide information on the ground water regime adjacent to Ash Lagoon

No. 3

SPC 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, silica, 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.
AIR QUALITY

Saskatchewan

Ambient sulphur dioxide monitoring began at Coronach in July 1979. To

date, a few detectable concentrations have been recorded at this site.

There were no recorded violations of Saskatchewan Environment's hourly or

24 hour standards of 17.0 pphm and 6.0 pphm respectively (Figures 8

and 9). The highest value of 7.5 pphm occurred on November 12 at 1200

hours. Weather information for this day-indicates winds blowing from the southwest quadrant, which would indicate the power plant as the probable

source. The highest 24 hour value of 0.4 pphm occurred on May 24 and November 12. Weather data indicates winds blowing from the southern

quadrants 46 and 42% of the time respectively.

Suspended particulate concentrations at Coronach did not exceed

Saskatchewan Environment's 24 hour average standard of 120 micrograms per

cubic metre (ug/m3/24 hours), as compared to 6 exceedances in 1984. The

annual geometric mean fell from 39.8 ug/m^ in 1984 to 24.8 ug/m3 in 1985

and continues to be well below the Saskatchewan standard of 70.0 ug/m3.

In-stack monitoring results showed a similar variance in 1985 to that of

1984. Daily nitrogen oxide concentrations ranged from 400 to 1216 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m^) with an average yearly concentration of

757 mg/m^ as compared to 800 mg/m^ in 1984. However, operating problems

continued to plague the nitrogen oxides monitor; the monitor was not available 62% of the time. Daily sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged

from 1554 to 4710 mg/m^ with an average yearly concentration of 2660 mg/m^

as compared to 2600 mg/m3 in 1984.
O E

< >- LlJ

ro cj r- o o o o o o
33

rv

/

- --^ ,—

- '-D <—

- -^ r-

"-3 CO

tX) ^£> Un LD o o o o

— — o o

(ujdd) ZqS
34 -

Sulphur dioxide emissions consisted of 8.5 X 10"3 tonnes per megawatt hour

due to firing on coal and 8.0 X 10-5 tonnes per megawatt hour due to firing on oil. Total coal consumption for 1985 was 3,878,000 tonnes and

oil consumption was 2,743 tonnes (3,044 cubic metres).

Average daily opacity readings ranged from 1 to 100%, with a yearly

average of 19% as compared to 22% in 1984. Saskatchewan's opacity

standard is 40%. In most instances, opacity violations generally occur during process start-up, shut down or when one of the precipitators

experiences a power trip.

Montana

The State of Montana operated three primary air monitoring sites and five

additional sulfation rate sites in the Poplar River area of Montana during

1985. The parameters monitored included: sulphur dioxide, total

suspended particulate, fine particulates, sulfation rate, wind speed, wind

direction, and temperature. The primary air monitoring sites were

operated from July 1984 through June 1985 because the 1983 Montana

Legislature provided funding for only one additional year of monitoring

which commenced after both Coronach units sustained near-capacity

operation. The sulfation rate sites were operated for the entire year by

utilizing funding from Montana's general air quality budget. The

monitoring results are summarized in Table 8.
- 35 -

Table 8 Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results During 1985 in Montana

Sulphur Dioxide (pphm)
36 -

During the first half of 1985, sulphur dioxide concentrations remained

less than both Montana and United States ambient air quality standards.

The maximum 1-hour concentration of 12.7 pphm was recorded at the International Boundary site during January. This concentration is approximately one-fourth of the Montana standard. The highest 24-hour

concentration of 0.9 pphm also occurred at the International Boundary site

during January. The Montana 24-hour standard is 10 pphm. A comparison of sulphur dioxide concentrations with Class II Prevention of Significant

Deterioration increments demonstrates that the 3-hour concentration is the averaging time which consumes the most increment. The 6.4 pphm 3-hour

average at the International Boundary site would consume 33 percent of the available increment. All of the higher sulphur dioxide concentrations

noted above occurred with northwest winds, indicating that the Saskatchewan Power Corporation generating facilities were the possible

source.

The Montana and United States standards for total suspended particulates

were not exceeded at any of the three monitoring sites. The highest

24-hour concentration was 110 ug/m^ recorded on April 19, 1985, at the

Richardson site. The International Boundary site recorded the highest

geometric and arithmetic means at 26.5 and 29.6 ug/m^, respectively. The

levels of total suspended particulates observed during 1985 are low and

representative of rural Montana.
- 37 -

Fine particulates in two size ranges were monitored at the International

Boundary site and the Hanrahan site. Although there are presently no ambient standards for fine particulates, the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency has proposed standards for particulate matter with diameters less

than 10 microns (PM-10). The proposal calls for an annual average in the

range of 50-65 ug/m^ and a 24-hour standard in the range of 150-250

ug/m^. Montana did not actually sample the 10 micron and less category;

however, the data from the less than 2.5 and less than 15 micron diameter

categories provides a good indication that PM-10 levels would be in

compliance with the proposed standards.

During 1985, 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 three primary monitoring sites and five additional locations:

the Microwave Tower, Flaxville, the TV Tower, Four Buttes, and Scobey

Downtown. The objective of the sulfation plate network is to obtain a broad geographical indication of sulphur dioxide concentrations and to investigate the relationship between sulfation rate and sulphur dioxide

concentrations. Montana anticipates that funding will not be available in

the future for continuous sulphur dioxide monitoring. Therefore, Montana

hopes that sulfation rate will prove to be an inexpensive substitute.

ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA - UNITED STATES

- 1

-
September 23, 1980

POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

I. PURPOSE

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

Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of the data in each

country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical

interpretation.

The Arrangement will replace and expand upon the quarterly information

exchange program instituted between Canada and the United States in 1976.

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are:

Government of Canada: Environment Canada Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan

Environment

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

Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring

Committee will be established to carry out responsibilities assigned to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in accordance with the following terms of reference:

A. Membership

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

be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The participating

Governments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the

Committee. Cochairmen may by mutual agreement invite agency technical

experts to participate in the work of the Committee.

- 2

-
The Governor of the State of Montana may also appoint a chief elective

official of local government to participate as an ex-officio member of the Committee in its technical deliberations. The Saskatchewan Minister

of the Environment may also appoint a similar local representative.

B. Functions of the Committee

The role of the Committee will be to fulfill the purpose of the

Arrangement by ensuring the exchange of monitored data in accordance with

the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementation of the Arrangement. In addition, the Committee will review the existing

monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and may recommend to the Canadian and United States Governments any modifications to improve the

technical monitoring schedules.

1. Information Exchange

Each Cochairman will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart

Cochairman on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data

provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

2. Reports

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

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

(b) Annual Reports wil 1

i) summarize the main activities of the Committee in the year under

Report and the data which has been exchanged under the Arrangement;

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

techniques)

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

modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including analytical

methods to ensure their comparability.

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

which may require immediate attention.

(d) Preparation of Reports

Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee

members and will be signed by all Committee members. Reports will be separately forwarded by the Committee Cochairmen to the participating

governments. All annual and special reports will be so distributed.

3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

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

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

officials;

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

monitoring agencies;

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

monitoring agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules;

(d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate government

in their respective countries any failure to comply with a scheduled

monitoring function on the part of any cooperating agency under the jurisdiction of that government, and requesting that appropriate

corrective action be taken.

IV. PROVISION OF DATA

In order to ensure that the Committee is able to carry out the terms of this Arrangement, the participating governments will use their best efforts to have cooperating monitoring agencies, in their respective

jurisdictions provide on an ongoing basis all scheduled monitored data for which they are responsible.

V, TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

The Arrangement will be effective for an initial term of five years and may be amended by agreement of the participating governments. It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will be renewed

thereafter for as long as it is required by the participating governments.

- 4
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

1986

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

CANADA - UNITED STATES

May 1986
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 Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring

the exchange takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative

Monitoring Arrangement.

The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been

reviewed by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality

at the International Boundary. The Schedule was initially submitted

to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may

be made by Governments based on the recommendations of the Committee.

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, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish

and waterfowl populations and aquatic vegetation is also being

collected on either a routine or specific studies basis by various

agencies.

3 -

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1986

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
HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

- 7
SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

No. on Map

12**

3««

A

5

Station No.

01 5X02006002 OOSK02000012

05SK02000008

05SK0200000A

00SK02000003

00SAILAE0008

Station Name

Fite Lake Overflow

Girard Creek South of Town of Coronach Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 Cookson Reservoir near Dam East Poplar River at culvert immediately below Cookson Reservoir

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Parameters

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

ESQUADAT* Code Parameter

10151

10101 1300A 33004

06201

05451 48002 20103

06052 06005

06301 17203

06711 24004

36012

36002

02041 29005

09105

82002

12102

80011 42005

07015

10401

10501 28002 07110

06521 08102

15406

19103 34005

11002 16306

10451 0206YZ

23004

30005

10301

Alkalinity-pheno

Alkalinity-tot Aluminum tot Arsenic- tot Bicarbonates

Boron-tot Cadmium-tot

Calcium Carbon-tot Inorg

Carbon- tot Org

Carbonates

Chloride Chlorophyll 'a' Chromium- tot Col i form- fee Coliform-cot Conductivity

Copper- tot Flouride

Lead-tot Magnesium

Mercury- tot Molybdenum

N-TKN

NFR

NFR (F) Nickel-tot Nitrate + NO2 Oil and Grease

Oxygen-diss

Phosphorus- tot Potassium

Selenium-Ext Sodium

Sulphate

TDS Temperature Vanadium-tot

Zinc-tot

PH

Analytical

Method

Pot. Titration

Pot. Titration

AA-direct

Flameless-A.A. Calculated

ICPA AA-Solvent extract (MIBK)

AA-Direct

IRIRCalculated Colourimetery

Colourimetery

AA-direct

MF

MFConductivity meter AA-Solvent extract (MIBK)

Specific ion electrode AA-Solvent extract (MIBK)

AA-direct

Flameless AA AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK)

Colourimetry

Gravimetric

Gravimetric AA-Solvent extract (MIBK)

Colourimetry

Pet. Ether Extraction Meter Colourimetry

Flame Photometery

Hydride Generation

Flame Photometry

Colourimetry

Gravimetric Thermometer

AA-Direct AA-Solvent extract (MIBK)

Electrometric

Sampling Frequency
PARAMETERS (Continued)

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

- 11 -
GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Station Description
R. 27 II.26

A«h

Loqoons

CSJ3

CS34

1/9

21

SCALt A

lOoOMcrai*

CANADA

as. A.

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

- 13 -
GROUND WATER PCEZOMBTERS TO MONITOR

POTENTIAL DRAfcfDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATKRING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Water Corporation Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

SPG Piezometer No.
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING

15
GROUND WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA

SCHEDULE A - PIEZOMETERS IN TILL Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Station

la

lb

Ic2ai 232

2a3

2 34 2b

2c3a

3b3c

SPG Piezometer No.

C716

C717

0711 C712A

C712B

C712C

C712D

C718

C719

C713

C720

G721

Frequency of Measurement

All piezometer levels are measured quarterly

6aj

6a2

633 634

731 732

733

734 C534

C763A

C763B

C763C

C763D

C729A

C729B

C729C

C729D

0534

831

832 833

834

8bi 8b2

8b3

8ci 8c2

8c3 8c4

8d

C730A

0730B

07300

0730D

0727A

0727B

07270

0726A

0726B

07260

0726D

0748

93

9a2

933 934

9bi 9b2 9b3 9b4

07 64A

0764B

07640

C764D

C728A

C728B

C7280

C728D

- 16
R.27

T.I

R.26 LEGEND

Q SiB«U Pivioniar ia Till a

8 Sitt Nuaikw

SCALE

•oe looo MCTatt

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

Station
R. 27 R.26

LEGEND

SCALE A

•00 lOOO MTOtt

IS (Die (3

C525 " C527

17 C539 C540 @18

5)21

D19

320 D22

CANADA

US. A.

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

- 19
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

No.
AMBIENT AIR OUALITV HONITORINS

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

- 21
SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

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

Ultraviolet Absorption

Saskatchewan Environment

Chemi luminescence

Saskatchewan Environment

Optical

- 22 -
R. 27 R.26

T.I

Ash

Loqoons

SCALE A

•00 looo HI Tact

-J . 1 k

CANADA

US. A.

SOURCE EMISSION MONITORING

23

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

1986

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

U. iA.

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

- 27
SURFACE HATER QUALITY MONITORING

Station Location

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

No. on Map

USGS Station

No. 06178000 06178500

Station Name Poplar River at International Boundary

East Poplar River at International

Boundary

East Poplar River near Scobey

PAIAHETERS

Sanpling Frequ

Analytical

BCttaod

90410 01106

00610

00625 01000

01002

01010

01012 01020

01025

01027 00915 00680

00940

01030 01034

000 BO 00095 01040

01042

00061 00950

01046

01045

01049

01051 00925 01056

01055

01065

01067 00615

00630 00300

70507 00400

00665

00935

00931 80154

80155 01145

01147 00955

00930

00945

70301 00010

00020

00076

80020 01090

01092

Alkalinity-lab

Aluaini^i-disa Aaoonia-tot Aaaonia^Org N-tot Araeoic—dias Araenic-tot BerylliuB-diaa Berylliuv-tot/rec

BoroD-diaa CadmiuB-diaa CadaiuM-tot/rec

CalciuB

Carbon-tot Org Chloride-dias

Chronium-diaa

Chromium-to t/rec

Color CooductiTity Copper—diaa Copper-tot/ rec Diacbarge-inat

Fluoride

IroD-dlaa

Irott-tot/rec Lead-diaa Lead-tot/rec MaKneaiuv-diaa

Hani; aneae—diaa

Hanganeae—tot/rec Nickel-diaa

Nickel tot/rec Nitrite-tot Nitrate*Ni trite-tot Oxygeo-diaa

Fboa, Orttao-tot

pHPbopboToua-tot

Potaaaiim-diaa

SAR

Sed iacnt—cone

Sediaent-load

Selenitaa-diaa SeleoiuB tot/rec

Silica Sodiua

Sulfate-diaa

Total Diaaolved Solida Te«p Hater

Temp Air Turbidity

UraniuB-diaa

Zinc-diaa 2inc-tot/rec

Elect. Titration

AAColonaetric

Coloriaetric

AA. bydride

AA, bydride

AAAA-Peraulfate

ICP AAAA-perauIfate

AAWet Oxidation

Ion cbroAatography

AAAA-peraulfate

Electroaetric , viaual Vbeatatone Bridge

AAAA-peraulfate Direct aeaaur. Electroaetric

AAAA-peraulfate

AAAA-peraulfate

AA

AAAA-peraulfate

AAAA-peraulfate

Color Inetric Coloriaetric Hinkler/aeter

Coloriaetric

Electroaetric Coloriaetric

AACalculated

Filtratioo-graviaetric Calculated

AA, bydride

AA, hydride

Coloriaetric AA

Coloriaetric

Calculated Toluene

Toluene Nepbeloaetric Fluoriactric

AAAA-peraulfate

*Co«puter atoragc and retrieval ayacaa - DSCS

Syabola: C-continuoua; D-daily; H-aontbly; MC-aonthly coapoaite; A-amually

at bigb flow; SA-aeai-annually at low and bigh flow; AA-atoalc

abaorption; tot-total; rec—recoverable; diaa-diaaolved

- 28
SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

- 29
GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Station Locations

Reifranaible Agency: Montana Bureau of Hinet and Geology
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

Sampling Frequency

No. on Map
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

35 -
- 36 -
ANNEX 3

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1 -
acac-ft

L

m

m

nun

tonne

METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS

4,047 m^ = 0.4047 ha

1,233.5 m3 = 1.2335 dam^

C- = 1.8 F0.3937 in. cm

cm2 = 0.155 in2

danj3 = 1,000 m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft

ft.3 = 28.3171 X 10"^m^

Ija = 10,000 m2 = 2.471 ac

^^ = 100 m = 328.08 ft

hm3 = 1 X 106 m3

I.gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X lO'^ tons

km = 0.62137 miles

km2 = 0.3861 mi^

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

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

3.2808 ft

,2 = 10.7636 ft^

.3 = 1.000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I. gal = 264.2 U.S. gal

mVs = 35.314 cfs

0.00328 ft

1,000 kg = 1.1023 ton (short)

U.S. gpm = 0.0631 L/s

For Air Samples

ppn. = 100 pphm = 1000 X (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m

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