2010 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING

COMMITTEE MISSOURI - RfVER

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2010

June 2011
Montana State Library

3 0864 1006 4282 9
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 Foreign Affairs

and International Trade Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saskatchewan Environment

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Herein is the 30th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses

the Committee activities of 2010 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2011

.

During 2010, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill the responsibilities

assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September

23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July 1992,

July 1997, March 2002, and April 2007. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2012.

The enclosed report summarizes current water-quality conditions and compares them to guidelines for specific parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) under the 1977

Reference fi-om Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 2010, the

Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives.

Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an on-demand release of 617 dam^ (500

acre-feet) fi-om Cookson Reservoir during 2010. A volume of 599 dam^ (486 acre-feet), in addition to the

minimum flow, was delivered to the United States between May 1 and May 31, 2010. In addition, daily

flows in 2010 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most of the year except for January 1-12 when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the channel.

During 2010, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 2009

Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee.

Yours sincerely.

A/^^

M. Kilpatrick

lairman. United States Section

Mike Renouf

Chairman, Canadi ection

Tim Daws

Member, United States Section

!g AoKman

Memb^, Canadian Section
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for 20 10 lii

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Committee Activities 2

2.1 Membership 2

2.2 Meetings 2

2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3 2.4 Data Exchange 4

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities 4

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and hiterpretations 6

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6

3.2 Surface Water 6

3.2.1 Streaiiiflow 6

3.2.2 Apportionment 7

3.2.3 Minimum Flows 8 3.2.4 On-Demand Release 9

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality 10

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 11 3.2.5.2 Boron 14

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives 17

3.3 Groundwater 19

3.3.1 Operations-Saskatchewan 19

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring 21

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 21

3.3.2.2 Montana 23

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 25

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 25

3.3.3.2 Montana 28

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 29

3.4.1 Storage 29

3.4.2 Water Quality 31

3.5 Air Quality 32

3.6 Quality Control 32

3.6.1 Streamflow 32

3.6.2 Water Quality 32

ANNEXES

1.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States Al

2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical

Monitoring Schedules, 2010, Canada-United States A2

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3

4.0 Conversion Factors A4
TABLES

Table 2.1 Table 3.1

Table 3.2 Table 3.3

Table 3.4

Table 3.5

Water-Quality Objectives 5 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2010 Sampling

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18

Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana 21

Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply

Project Wells 25

Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project Wells Sampled

at the Discharge Pipe 26

Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2010 29

FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 2010 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean

Discharge from 1931-2009 for the Poplar River at International Boundary 7 Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary 8 Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9

Figure 3.4 Estimated TDS Concentration During 2010 for East Poplar River at International

Boundary 12

Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 12

Figure 3.6 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 13 Figure 3.7 Statistically Estimated Daily TDS Concentration, Calendar Years 1990 to 2010, for East Poplar River at International Boundary 13 Figure 3.8 Estimated Boron Concentration During 2010 for East Poplar River at International

Boundary 15

Figure 3.9 Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 15

Figure 3.10 Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 16

Figure 3.11 Statistically Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, Calendar Years 1990 to 2010, for East Poplar River at International Boundary 16

Figure 3.12 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary Water Supply.. 19

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project 20

Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 21

Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 22

Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Fort Union and Hart Coal Aquifers 23

Figure 3.17 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 24

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 28

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2010 and Median

Daily Water Levels, 2001-2010 30

Figure 3.20 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2010 and Median

Daily Storage, 200 1-20 10 31

11
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 201

1

The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-seventh full year of operation in 2010. The two 300-

megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,525,074 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average capacity

factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 79.2 percent and 84.8 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour for both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. The scheduled

maintenance outage for Unit 1 and 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2010 so as not to coincide with

system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods.

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2010 was exchanged in the spring of 201 1.

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2010 was

5,420 dam (4,400 acrc-fect). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow

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

0.057 cubic metres per second (m7s) (2.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for the period June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010, and 0.028 mVs (1.0 ftVs ) for the period September 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011. The

minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2010 was 0.057 m /s (2.0 ft /s), detennined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 3 1

, 2009.

Daily flows during 2010 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most of the

year except for January 1-12 when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to ice

conditions in the channel.

In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on- demand release to be delivered in the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing

June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2009 mnoff volume of 13,560 dam^ (11,000 acre-feet)

recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, Montana was entitled to an

additional release of 617 dam" (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelvemonth period commencing June 1, 2009. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and

May 31, 2010. A volume of 599 dam^ (486 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered

during this period.

The 2010 five-year flow-weighted TDS concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1,000

milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly five-year estimated flow-weighted concentration value

in 2010 was about 987 mg/L which was similar to value calculated in 2009. The 2010 five-year estimated

flow-weighted boron concentrations remained well below the long-temi objective of 2.5 mg/L.

ni
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of five years by

the Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring

Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July

1992, July 1997, March 2002, and April 2007. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2012. A more detailed account of the historical background of the Monitoring Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee.

The Committee oversees monitoring programs designed to evaluate the potential for transboundary

impacts from SaskPower's (formerly Saskatchewan Power Corporation) coal-fired thermal generating

station and ancillary operations near Coronach, Saskatchewan. Monitoring is conducted in Canada

and the United States at or near the International Boundary for quantity and quality of surface and

ground water and for air quality. Participants from both countries, including Federal, State and

Provincial agencies, are involved in monitoring.

The Committee submits an annual report to Governments which summarizes the monitoring results,

evaluates apparent trends, and compares the data to objectives or standards recommended by the

International Joint Commission (IJC) to Governments, or relevant State, Provincial, or Federal

standards. The Committee reports to Governments on a calendar year basis. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters

which may require immediate attention.

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

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

Schedules are updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications in sampling

frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical tecliniques of ongoing programs. The Technical

Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the year 2011. The

Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change.
2.0 COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

2.1 Membership

The Committee is composed of representatives of the Goveniments of the United States of America

and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve as local representatives

for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan.

During 2010, the members of the Committee included: Mr. J. Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey,

United States representative and Co-chair; Mr. M. Renouf, Environment Canada, Canadian

representative and Co-chair; Mr. Tim Davis, Montana Department of Natural Resources and

Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. G. Adilman, Saskatchewan Environment, Saskatchewan

representative; Mr. C. W. Tande, Daniels County Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio

representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio

representative.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met on June 22, 2010 in Coronach, Saskatchewan. Delegated representatives of

Governments, with the exception of the ex-officio members from Montana and Saskatchewan,

participated in the meeting. In addition to Committee members, several technical advisors representing

Federal, State, and Provincial agencies also participated. Committee members reviewed the operational

status of the Poplar River Power Station and associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected

in 2009 including surface-water quality and quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air quality; discussed proposed changes in the water-quality sampling program; and established the

Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 201 1.
2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives

The International Joint Commission in its Report to Governments, titled "Water Quality in the Poplar

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

within the overall Basin context and recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate, hi 1991, an action item from the annual Committee meeting set in motion the review and revision of the waterquality objectives.

In 1993, the Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the

subcommittee that was formed in 1992 to review the objectives. The Committee also discussed the water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved

solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that calculation procedures to determine flowweighted concentrations are time consuming and probably scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or procedures.

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

parameters affected were: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total chromium, dissolved

copper, mercury in fish tissues, fecal coliform, and total colifonn. The Committee also agreed to other

minor revisions for clarification purposes; for example, changing the designation for pH from

"natural" to "ambient".

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

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

decision was based on data indicating concentrations or levels well below or within the objectives.

Current objectives approved by the Committee are hsted in Table 2.1.

The Committee also agreed to periodically review all parameters for which monitoring has been

suspended.

Another responsibility of the Committee has included an ongoing exchange of data acquired through

the monitoring programs. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the agencies

of the participating governments or from Committee members.
2.4 Data Exchange

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

monitoring infonnation was initiated in the first quarter of 1981 and was an expansion of the informal

quarterly exchange program initiated between the United States and Canada in 1976. Until 1991, data were exchanged quarterly. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the beginning of the 1 992

calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged once each year as soon after the end of the calendar

year as possible. However, unusual conditions or anomalous data will be reported and exchanged

whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 20 1 which warranted special reporting.

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities

Environment Canada has agreed to take responsibility of repairing the continuous water-quality

monitor installed at the East Poplar station at the International Boundary. The continuous water-quality

monitor records daily specific conductance values which are used in the computation of TDS and

boron values to monitor water quality in the East Poplar River. In the absence of regular monthly grab

water-quality samples, the Committee has agreed to utilize the data collected by the continuous waterquality monitor for its surface-water-quality monitoring program.

The uses, in cooperation with the Fort Peck Tribes, previously collected water-quality samples four

times per year to supplement the daily specific conductance data collected by the continuous waterquality monitor.
Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

Parameter

Original

Objective

Recommendation

Current

Objective

Boron, total 3.5/2.5' Continue as is 3.5/2.5' TDS 1,500/1,000' Continue as is 1,500/1,000'

Aluminum, dissolved 0.1 Suspended* —

Ammonia, un-ionized 0.02 Suspended* —

Cadmium, total 0.0012 Continue as is 0.0012

Chromium, total 0.05 Suspended* —

Copper, dissolved 0.005 Suspended* —

Copper, total I Suspended* —

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 Continue as is 1.5

Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Mercury, dissolved 0.0002 Suspended* —

Mercury, ilsh (mg/kg) 0.5 Suspended* —

Nitrate 10 Continue as is 10

Oxygen, dissolved

4.0/5.0- Objective applies only during open

water

4.0/5.0-

SAR (units) 10 Continue as is 10

Sulfate, dissolved 800 Continue as is 800

Zinc, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03

Water temperature (C) 30.0' Continue as is 30.0- pH (units) 6.5^ Continue as is 6.5^

ColifonTi(no./100mL)

Fecal 2,000 Suspended*

Total 20,000 Suspended* —

Units in mg/L except as noted.

1. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be<2.5 boron, < 1.000 TDS.

Three-month average of flow-weighted concentration should be <3.5 boron and <1,500 TDS.

2. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning).

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

4. Less than 0.5 pH units above ambient, minimum pH=6.5.

*Suspended after review of historic data found sample concentrations consistently below the objective. The Committee will periodically review status of suspended objectives.
3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation

Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) operates the Poplar River Power Station near the

town on Coronach, Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station is comprised of two ligniteburning power generating units designated Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Unit No. 1 is rated as a 3 15

MW/hour generating unit and Unit No. 2 is rated as a 315 MW/hour generating unit. Both units

share a common 122 metres (m) (400 feet (ft)) tall stack.

In 2010 both units were operated as base load units supplying the maximum production except

when system constraint and outages dictated otherwise. The scheduled maintenance outages for

Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2010 so as not to coincide with

system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods.

Between January 1 and December 31, Poplar River Power Station generated 4,525,074 MW hours.

During this time approximately 3,480,815 tonnes of coal and 3,838 m" (1,014,000 gallons) of fuel

oil were consumed. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were 79.2% and

84.8% respectively.

3.2 Surface Water

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was normal in 2010. The March to October recorded flow of

the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 8,620

cubic decametres (dam"*) (6,990 acre-feet), which was 86 percent of the 1931-2009 median

seasonal flow of 10,070 dam (8,160 acre-feet). A comparison of 2010 monthly mean discharge

with the 1 93 1 -2009 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1.
1.5

0.5

-O- Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2009

- —O— Monthly Mean Discharge for 2010

L

"<^-, /

""a \

-o \

'"&-—-—<> ' X -- ?

70

35

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 2010 as Compared with the Median Monthly

Mean Discharge from 1931-2009 for the Poplar River at International Boundary,

The 2010 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2,820

dam^ (2,290 acre-feet). This volume is 108 percent of the median annual flow of 2,620 dam^

(2,120 acre-feet) for 1976-2009 (since the completion of Morrison Dam).

3.2.2 Apportionment

In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task

Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and

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

recommendations have not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to the apportionment recommendations. Annex 3 contains the apportionment recommendation.
3.2.3 Minimum Flows

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31,

2010 was 5,420 dam (4,400 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that

the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on

the East Poplar River of 0.057 cubic metres per second (mVs) (2.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for

the period June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010, and 0.028 mVs (1.0 ftVs ) for the period September 1, 2010 to May 31, 201 1. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2010 was

0.057 mVs (2.0 ftVs), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2009. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and the

minimum flow as recommended by the IJC are shown in Figure 3.2.

Daily flows during 2010 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most of

Ihc year except for January 1-12 when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to

ice conditions in the channel.

0.01 0.35

ra ra re 0) "?-?-? H- '. 2. < <

CM •«* *- CM «- OJ O O Z Z Q 9

in at <o t^ 2010

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary.
3.2.4 On-Demand Release

In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on-demand release to be delivered in the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period

commencing June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2009 runoff volume of 13,560 dam''

(11,000 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station,

Montana was entitled to an additional release of 617 dam (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir

during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2009. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2010. A volume of 599 dam^ (486 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. A hydrograph showing

cumulative volume of the on-demand release request and on-demand release delivery made at the East Poplar River at International Boundary is shown in Figure 3.3.

in 800 650

2 600

700 _ -On-D emand Release Del very « u

E

n -On-D emand Release Request 550 0) u. »Q

600 - 500

450 c

!fi3u

500 ' ^^.<^ 400

E C ^^.-'' 350 3

E

3

400 - ^^''

300 ^' 300

250

>

> > ^^,'-' B

0) 200 3

> ^-^ E

'J 200 ~ ..-' 150 3o

3 ^^^

E ^

.^^^ ,.' - 100

3 100 - ^^^^ u ^ 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

50

>> >i > >> >i > >l > > > > >< >. >> > >» n ra n n n n fl n n n n n n n ra n

1 : E S S S S s S E S S S E S S S

«- rt in ri 01 in O)

CM CM

in

CM 2010

Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release.
3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality

The 1 98 1 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should not exceed

3.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 1,500 mg/L for TDS for any three consecutive

months in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the March to October period,

the long-term average ofjlow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and

J, 000 mg/L or less for TDS in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary.

For the period prior to 1982, the three-month moving flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for

boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly water-quality

monitoring results. Since the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance

daily in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, making it possible to estimate boron

and TDS concentrations using a linear regression relationship with specific conductance.

In 2003, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee decided to suspend much of the waterquality sampling program until it is warranted again. All surface-water-quality sample collection

by Environment Canada has been suspended at the East Poplar River boundary station. The

Committee has agreed to use the continuous data collected by the specific-conductance monitor as

a surrogate for the monthly water-quality sampling program. Hence, the three-month FWC for

TDS and boron in 2010 were calculated using the two established equations (shown later in text)

and the continuous specific-conductance data collected at the East Poplar River at the International

Boundary.

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

with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and TDS data are best plotted as a five-year

moving FWC which is advanced one month at a time.

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

preceded and 2.5 years followed each plotted point. Beginning in 1988, the FWC was calculated

from the 5-year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 2010 is calculated from data generated over the period December 2003 to December 2010. The

calculations are based on the results of samples collected throughout the year, and are not

restricted to only those collected during the months bracketing the period of irrigation (March to October) each year.

After the regular monthly discrete sampling program was suspended in 2003, the USGS continued

to collect four discrete samples per year until 2010, when due to a lack of funding no samples were obtained. Therefore, all the water quality analyses shown in this report were derived solely

from the recorded daily specific conductance data and the two established regression equations for

TDS and boron.

10
3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids

TDS is inversely related to streamflow at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

station. During periods of high runoff such as spring freshet, TDS decreases as the proportion of

streamflow derived from ground water decreases. Conversely, during times of low streamflow

(late summer, winter) the contribution of ground water to streamflow is proportionally greater.

Because the ground water entering the river has a higher ionic strength than the surface water, the

TDS of the stream increases markedly during low-flow conditions.

Estimated TDS concentrations for 2010 for East Poplar River at the hitemational Boundary are shown in Figure 3.4. The TDS concentrations ranged from 791 mg/L on January 15 to 1,041 mg/L

on December 15. The three-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of 1990-2010 is presented

in Figure 3.5. The short-term TDS objective has not been exceeded during the period of record.

The five-year moving estimated FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective

of 1,000 mg/L in 2010. The maximum monthly five-year estimated FWC in 2010 was about 987

mg/L, similar to the value observed in 2009. Dissolved solids concentrations in 2010 were similar

to those recorded and estimated in 2009. In general, low spring runoff and higher contribution

from ground water have kept the TDS level close to the long-term objective of 1 ,000 mg/L.

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

readings, for the period January 1991 through December 2010 are shown in Figure 3.7. The figure

shows an abrupt drop in estimated TDS corresponding to the snowmelt runoff occurring during

the spring of each year. Please note that no daily specific-conductance readings were available

during the February 12 to May 5, 2010 period and TDS could not be estimated for that period.

The relationship between TDS and specific conductance based upon data collected from 1974 to 2003 is as follows;

TDS = (0.624613813 x specific conductance) + 35.1841527

(R^ = 0.84, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate TDS concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the International Boundary for 2010. These estimates are used in the current annual waterquality report

11
1200

1000

son

(A -oow

"O^ 600

S!

in Q

3 400 o

<r-791

200

1028 ^041 » 99 1 y»^ 960 972 966 yu4

822 8?? 822

A

Statistically Estimated from Average Mid-Month Specific Conductance Values

u.

CD

in

(0

uS uS o

in

Figure 3.4: Estimated TDS Concentration During 2010

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

1800

1600

J 400

600

400

200

Sho rt-term Obj ecti ve

-iMirT i / %

"• Analytically Determined fiom a Discrete Sample

- • — Statistically Estimated using Average Mid-Month Specific Conductance Values

CM m ^ in to 1^ oo o> o a> o> 05 05 CO o> O) O) oCN CO ^ in CO t^ 00 O) o o o o o o o o

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

Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

12
1600

1400

1200 ?

1

o

1000

<21 800

Si

<fl Q 600

TOO

Long-term Objective

/

^ =J

'

/ —

L

—

<N m q- v^ \D 1^ 00 OS o <N

L.

•<r v^ VO r- 00 Ov o

—

o o\ 0\ 0\ On o\ o\ On o\ o o O O o o o o o O —

a a a c C a c a a a c a c c c a c c C a a ^ ^

ca a BJ a ca .5 ca rt m cd 5ed 5

a rt efl CO ^rt

400

200

Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for EastPoplarRiver atthe International Boundary

MmhlfM^

ino O o § §

O ^

c

CD c c C C CCD C s

Figure 3.7: Statistically Estimated Daily TDS Concentration, CalendarYears 1991 to 2010,

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

13
3.2.5.2 Boron

All the boron concentrations presented below were estimated using the boron equation that was

developed from water-quality samples collected from 1974-2003 and the daily specific

conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor. Figure 3.8 shows that during

2010 estimated monthly-mean dissolved boron concentrations in the East Poplar at the

International Boundary varied from 1.51 mg/L on January 15 to 2.03 mg/L on December 15.

The 3-month flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron for the period of 1990-2010 is shown

in Figure 3.9. The short-term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded over the period 1975 to 2010. It can be seen, at least until 2009, that the concentrations measured in water-quality

samples and those estimated using regression equations describing a statistical relation between

boron concenfration and specific conductance are similar, with the highs and lows in some degree

of correspondence. This suggests that using regression equations to estimate boron and TDS

concentrations based on specific conductance measurements, is in general terms, a valid procedure

despite problems which arise from attempting to generate representative concentration and flow

data for an entire month, based on a limited number of samples.

The 5 -year moving FWC for boron (Figure 3.10) remained well below the long-term objective of

2.5 mg/L during 2010.

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

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

constituents in the water. Accordingly, it appears likely that the standard deviation of dissolved

boron (relative to the long-term mean boron concenfration) may be greater than that of the major

cations (sodium, potassium, and magnesium) and anions (sulphate, bicarbonate, and chloride)

around their respective long-term mean concenfrations. Daily boron concentrations for the period

of 1 990-20 1 are shown in Figure 3.11.

The relationship between boron and specific conductance applied to data collected from 1974 to 2003 is as follows:

Boron = (0.00129 x specific conductance) - 0.04709

(R^ = 0.57, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate boron concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the International Boundary for 2010. These estimates are used in the current annual waterquality report.

14
3.5

£ 2.5

& 2

1.

1

0.5

--^-

1.93 1.91 « 186 1.89 1.88 1-91

5 ,, i>;i 1.58 ISA 158

(x.

Statistically Estimated from Average Mid-Month Specific Conductance Values

^S

003<

>o

-! 2.03

Q

Figure 3.8: Estimated Boron Concentration During 2010

for EastPoplar River at the International Boundary

3.5

0.5

Short-termObjective

Analytically Determined from a DistTete Sample

Statistically Estimated using Specific Conductance Values

Figure 3.9: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron

Concentration for East Poplar Riveratthe International Boundary

15
2.5 Long-term Objective

E

•DO

1.5

.<2 1

0.5

ON as OS OS

so 00

OS

OS

OS o

o 9 9 9 9 9

so9 9

009

OS9

o Z^ a

1—

>

c

1—

>

c

1—

>

c

in C a c

1-^ cd C

1-^ c c c a c c

S3 cBJ

1-^ am1—

>

c c

1—

>

c

Figure 3.10: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration

for East Poplar River at the IntemationalBoundary (Statistically Estimated)

3.0

Figure 3.1 1: Statistically Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, Calendar Years 1991-2010,

for East Poplar Riverat the IntemationalBoundary

16
3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives

Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. The table shows the number of samples collected for each parameter and the number of

times over the course of the year that the objectives were exceeded. In the table, multiple replicate

samples collected during the annual quality control exercise are treated as a single sample, but

where an objective was exceeded in a replicate sample, this is charged against the single sample

noted. As the table shows, all parameters were within the appropriate objectives.

17
Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2010 Sampling Program,

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

Parameter Objective No. of Samples Excursions

USA Canada

Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments

Boron, dissolved 3.5/2.5 (1) N/A N/A N/A

Total Dissolved Solids 1,500/1,000(1) N/A N/A N/A 1 Objectives recommended by Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments 11

Cadmium, total 0.0012 N/A N/A N/A

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 N/A N/A N/A

Lead, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A

Nitrate 10.0 N/A N/A N/A

Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0 (2) N/A N/A N/A

Sodium adsorption ratio 10.0 N/A N/A N/A

Sulphate, dissolved 800.0 N/A N/A N/A

Zinc, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A

Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0 (3) N/A N/A N/A

pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) N/A N/A N/A

(1) Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3.5 mg/L boron and <1,500 mg/L TDS. Five-year average of

flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 mg/L boron and < 1,000 mg/L TDS.

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

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

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

N/A - Not applicable

NOTE: No samples were obtained in 2010.

18
3.3 Ground Water

3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan

SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2010 with 2,704 dam^ (2,192

acre-feet) of ground water being produced. This is down significantly from the 3,297 dam^ (2,673

acre-feet) pumped in 2009. Production from 1991 to 2010 has averaged 4,634 dam^ (3,757 acrefeet) per year. Ongoing problems with the pumps were cited as the reason for the lower

production. Prior to 1991, the well network was part of a dewatering network for coal mining

operations, which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid-1980's as shown in Figure 3.12. During the 1988-1990 drought period it was evident that there was a continued need for ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently

the wells were taken over by SaskPower for use as a supplementary supply.

Year

Figure 3.12 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary

Water Supply

19
SaskPower has an Approval for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of

5,500 dam /year (4,460 acre-feet/year). The supplementary supply well network currently consists

of 21 wells with a total of 10 discharge points. No wells were added or deleted from the well field

during the year.

hi addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project south of

Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil salinity which had developed

below the dam. The Soil Salinity project consists of a network of production wells discharging

into the cooling water canal, which in turn discharges directly to Cookson Reservoir. Ongoing

operational difficulties with the production wells resulted in a continued decline in the annual

volume pumped from a high of 1,100 dam (892 acre-feet) in 1994 to a low point of 426 dam

(345 acre-feet) in 2003. A well rehabilitation program resulted in some recovery in production

rates with production of 812 dam^ (658 acre-feet) in 2006. As can be seen in Figure 3.13,

production again declined after 2006. Production for 2010 was 500 dam (405 acre-feet) which was slightly lower than the 527 dam^ (427 acre-feet) produced in 2009.

The majority of water in 2010, 363 dam (294 acre-feet), was withdrawn from wells PW87104 and

PW87105 on the east side of the river with the remaining 137 dam^ (111 acre-feet) coming from

PW90109 on the west side. No other wells were used in 2010.

1200

1100

1000

900

800

to£

E

3

O

>

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

Year

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project

20
3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring

Equivalent geologic formations present in Saskatchewan and Montana have different names. A list of the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana

Formation Location Geologic Formation Name

Saskatchewan Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium

Montana Fox Hills Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

Li 2003, SaskPower reduced its monitoring network from 180 to about 85 piezometers.

Saskatchewan Environment approved this reduction based on modelling studies undertaken by

SaskPower.

Figures 3.14 and 3.15 show hydrographs for Hart Coal Seam monitoring wells near the

International Boundary. These hydrographs do not show any significant changes in water levels in the Hart Coal Seam near the boundary in the past 20 years.

/DO

- ^ II MM -. i^^

IM*

k k k-*- hF—

A

(0 TCC . "^

A

E.

1

^ Uill

^

^L^

m.

^pp ,. J'A, \ •= ^~f~ trf-i ,::

740 T

•t^ \V \V \V x"^ \V \V \>^ v"^ v"^ vV \V v"^ \»^ \V v»^ v"^"^ \V ,»^ v"^ v»^ \»^ \>C» \»0

Date

-M492A -"-MSOr —•— M509 Figure 3.14 Hydrographs of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam

21
790

785

780

775

- #

1 1 1

1 1 rtl m^ -' m "1

1 !! 1

•^ ^ A ^ MMM MkiM A A *» i

.# ..^^ ..^"^ .K^^"- ..^^ .# ..<?^ .K<»^ -" .# ..# .# „#" n^ .J" J" .J'

,N^" ,^'^" ,^'^" >^'^" ,.r .r /" ,^'^" X>" .r /" v^"^" ,^'^" ,<^ .^'^ .^'^ vN<^ ,N<^ ,K<^ ,#^ .^'^ ,N<^ .^'^ ..^'^

Date

Figure 3.15 Hydrographs of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam

The goal of the Soil Salinity Project is to lower groundwater levels in the Empress Sands below

Morrison Dam two to three metres (6.6 to 9.8 feet), which is roughly equivalent to pre-reservoir

levels. Groundwater withdrawals from 1990 to 1995 ranged between 900 and 1,100 dam /year (or

730 and 892 acre-feet/year, respectively) and consequently the drawdown objectives were

achieved in 1 995 and 1 996. However, the declining withdrawals from 1 995 until 2004 resulted in

negligible drawdown by 2003. Drawdown remains marginal and is limited in extent and

magnitude with Yi m to 1 'A m (1 .6 to 4.9 ft) or less occurring in limited areas.

22
3.3.2.2 Montana

Hydrographs from monitoring wells completed in the Fort Union Formation and/or the Hart Coal

Seam (wells 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 22) exhibit two general patterns. Water levels in wells 9,

13, 17, and 19 have changed less than 5 ft (1.5 m) since the time monitoring began in 1987. Water

levels generally declined between 1987 and 1992-1994; since 1994, water-level trends are flat or slowly rising. Water-level hydrographs from wells 17 and 19 are shown on Figure 3.16. Offsets

noted in the legend for Figure 3.16 have been applied to make the hydrographs more readable.

Water-level data used to construct the hydrographs in Figure 3.16 can be accessed through the

Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu.

Water levels in wells 6, 7, 16, and 22 have changed as much as 12 ft (3.7 m) but generally

declined from the beginning of monitoring to the mid 1990s before beginning to rise. Water-level

hydrographs for wells 6 and 7 are shown on Figure 3.16.

^%^^W <^

'^^^lrtMK^^>^i<I^^A<^\^<W«H^^^ tttd^At6^fil*^^

^»\«w»>^iicw^^,,,,^^^^^>»»M^ ^,^^fwm^ ^

^^»S*i«»gcx>»^

*I.—J i II I I I I .1.1 I Jan-1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year -^ Well 6 (GWIC 4227 +10 ft offset Hart Coal) *— Well 17 (GWIC 4297 -3 ft offset Hart Coal)

-Well 7 (GWIC 4267 +7 ft offset Hart Coal) Well 19 (GWIC 4290; -5 ft offset Hart Coal)

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

Water levels in monitoring wells 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24, completed in alluvium and/or outwash, show

seasonal change caused by climate and/or precipitation. Heavy snow accumulation and melt in

early 2004 caused upward water-level response during the remainder of that year. In subsequent

years water levels steadily declined returning to pre-melt 2003 elevations between 2004 (Well 23)

and 2008 (Well 5). Hydrographs from alluvium and outwash (wells 10, 23, and 24) and the Fox

Hills/Hell Creek aquifer (well 1 1) are shown in Figure 3.17. Offsets noted in the legend have been

applied to the data to make the hydrographs more readable. Measurements from wells 1 1 and 24

where the wellhead was noted as being frozen are not included. Water-level data used to construct

23
the hydrographs in Figure 3.17 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information

Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu.

The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 1

1 -Figure 3.17) has

shown little fluctuation during the 1979-2010 monitoring period, but the entire record shows a

slight long-term downward trend.

"Hsr**- '^•y./vZ/^HAft^' w^v

jnatMiBBiiaajtu ciiiiDitf^*^^^ moedP^oiit^fsg) >l]i%[ip[f][sas]i%]

Jan-1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year —&— Well 1 (Gwic 4340 ft offset AlluviunVcoal) —H— Wtell 1 1 (GWIC 4329 +3 ft offset Fox Hills-Hell Creek) —A— Well 23 (GWIC124106 + 2 ft offset Outwasfi) Well 24 (GWIC 144835: -3 ft offset Alluvium)

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

Heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused water levels to rise to near record highs

in wells 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 19, and 22 during 2004 and 2005. Water levels in all these wells have

fallen since then, and are now within 1 ft (0.3 m) of their 2003 altitudes. Water levels in wells 5

and 6 are at about the same attitudes as they were in 2003 but water levels in wells 7, 8, 9, 10, 16,

and 22 have slowly risen 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) since 2008-2009. Water levels in well 19 are at about

the same altitude as their peak in 2004. There was no apparent short-term response to the 2004

snowmelt event in wells 13, 17, and 24, but water levels in wells 13 and 17 generally rose between

late 2003 and 2010. Water levels in well 24 began rising in 2001 and continued to rise until 2004.

Since then water levels have fallen about 3 ft (0.9 m).

24
3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan

The water quality from the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary Water Supply Project

discharge points has been consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently

tested parameters during 2010 is provided in Table 3.3. Result averages for the 1992-2009 periods

are also included in this table for comparison.

TABLE 3.3 Water-QuaUty Statistics for Water Pumped from

Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells*

1992 to 2009

Average

1 1 2010

Average

pH (units) 8.1 8.1

Conductivity (^s/cm) 1293 1440

Total Dissolved Solids 889 984

Total Suspended Solids 11 1

Boron 1.2 0.9

Sodium 173 183

Cyanide (^g/L) 0.000535 0.000001

Iron 0.3 0.1

Manganese 0.1 0.04

Mercury (\ig/L) 0.07 0.02

Calcium 67 -

Magnesium 52 -

Sulfate 274 -

Nitrate 0.08 -

*A1I units mg/L unless otherwise noted. *Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek.

Average results from the common discharge point for the Soil Salinity Project for 2010, plus an

average of the 1992-2009 results are provided in Table 3.4. Results have remained relatively

consistent since 1992.

25
TABLE 3.4 Water-QuaUty Statistics for Water Pumped from SoU Salinity

Project Weils Sampled at the Discharge Pipe*

1992-2009

Average

2010

Average

pH (units) 7.6 7.8

Conductivity (|is/cm) 1456 1491

Total Dissolved Solids 1006 1022

Boron 1.6 ,.6

Calcium 103 112

Magnesium 59 64

1 Sodium 160 150

Potassium 7.5 7.9

Arsenic (ng/L) 11.7 12.5 Aluminum 0.05 0.001

Barium 0.035 0.022

Cadmium 0.014 0.000

Iron 4.1 3.6

Manganese 0.129 0.110

Molybdenum 0.014 0.001

Strontium 1.726 1.740

Vanadium 0.014 0.000

1 Uranium (^g/L) 0.643 0.950

Mercury (|i/L) 0.08 0.02

Sulfate 327 345

Chloride 6.6 7.0

Nitrate 0.067 0.000

*A11 concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted.

Leachate movement through the ash lagoon liner systems can potentially affect ground-water

quality in the vicinity of the ash lagoons. The piezometers listed in the Technical Monitoring

Schedules are used to assess leachate movement and calculate seepage rates. Piezometric water

level, boron, and chloride are the chosen indicator parameters to assess leachate movement.

26
The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is expected to differ from the surface

water of the lagoons. Meaningful information is only available from piezometers installed within

Ash Lagoon # 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. Future monitoring of all piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in order to improve the

understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons.

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. The mound extends from the center of the Ash

Lagoon # 1 to the southeast side of Ash Lagoon # 2. Piezometers located in the oxidized till suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till.

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

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

automatically suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric

levels do suggest ground-water movement. On the west side of the Polishing Pond, the boron

levels have changed only slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, where the

chloride levels have changed more significantly. The chloride level for C728A had decreased

from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 249 mg/L in 2006; piezometer C728A has been repaired and will be

returned to the monitoring schedule in 2010. The chloride level for C728D has increased from

185 mg/L in 1983 to 366 mg/L in 2010. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and

installed at the same level, they are being influenced by different water. Chloride results for

C728A suggest initial seepage and it is to be expected that over time the same observation will be

seen in C728D.

The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to southeast below Morrison Dam. As a general observation. Empress piezometers respond to changing reservoir levels. Results for the Empress layer do not indicate seepage activity with the

majority of the analyses showing little change in boron or chloride results. Piezometer C712B has

been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels were below 1 mg/L. From 1992 to 2010, boron levels have remained relatively steady between 12 and 20 mg/L.

27
3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2010. Well 7 is completed in

the Hart Coal, well 1 6 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in

alluvium. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations in samples from wells 7 and 24 continued

slight downward trends that began in 2006. The 2010 sample shows that the TDS concentration

reported in 2009 for well 16 was anomalously low; the 2010 concentration, although still low, is closer to what would be expected based on samples taken prior to 2009. By 2009, production rates from well 1 6 had decreased to the point where only enough water could be withdrawn to rinse

equipment and bottle samples. MBMG re-developed the well in 2010 and production rates increased to about 1 gallon per minute (3.8 liters per minute). Changes in TDS with time for wells

7, 16, and 24 are shown in Figure 3.18. Water-chemistry data used to construct the graphs in

Figure 3.18 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water hiformation Center (GWIC)

database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu.

800

^ 700

' ^fk°SiJB^

300

Jan-1978 Jan-1982 Jan-1986 Jan-1990 Jan-1994 Jan-1998 Jan-2002 Jan-2006 Jan-2010 Jan-2014 Date

-Well 7 (GWIC 4267 - Hart Coal)

-Well 24 {GWIC 144835 -Alluvium)

-Well 16 (GWIC 421 1 - Fort Union)

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells.

28
3.4 Cookson Reservoir

3.4.1 Storage

On January 1, 2010, Cookson Reservoir storage was 31,580 dam^ (25,600 acre-feet) or 73 % of

the full supply volume. The 2010 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5.

Spring inflows into the reservoir were slightly greater than median in 2010. A release of 617 dam^

(500 acre-feet) was made in May to meet the recommended Poplar River Basin demand release for

the 2009-2010 apportionment year. No releases were required to maintain the recommended

apportionment target flow at the International Boundary for the remainder of the year.

In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by groundwater pumping. Wells in the

abandoned west block mine site supplied 2,704 dam^ (2,192 acre-feet) to Girard Creek. It is

estimated that less than 70% of this volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil saHnity

project area supplied 500 dam^ (405 acre-feet).

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2010

Date

Elevation

(m)

Elevation

(ft)

Contents

(dam^)

Contents

(acre-feet)

January 1 751.35 2,465.06 31,580 25,600

June 18

(Maximum) 752.27 2,468.08 37,910 30,730

March 6

(Minimum)

751.22 2,464.63 30,770 24,950

December 3

1

751.47 2,465.45 32,350 26,230

Full Supply Level 753.00 2,470.47 43,410 35,190

29
The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling.

Power plant operation is not adversely affected until reservoir levels drop below 749.0 metres

(2,457.3 ft). The dead storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0

metres (2,444.2 ft). The 2010 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure

3.19 along with the 10-year median levels. Likewise, the 2010 storage and associated operating

levels are shown in Figure 3.20 along with the 10-year median levels.

754.0

753.0

752.0

751.0

</) X 750.0

•| 749.0

O

>

JSi UJ

748.0

747.0

746.0

745.0

744.0

•

Full Supply Level i

'

• V -

- ^^

10-Year Median (2000-2009)

—2010

Mini mumt)esiral: le

-

Operatin jLeve

.

-

-

-

Mini mumL sable H Storage Level !

^

2473.75

2470.47

2467.19

2463.91

2460.63 %

u.c

2457.35

g

re 2454.07 a»

2450.79

2447.51

2444.23

2440.94

Janl Jan31 Mar2 Apr 2 May 2 Junl Jul2 Aug 1 Aug31 Oct 1 Oct 31 Nov 30 Dec 31

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2010 and

Median DaUy Water Levels, 2000-2009

30
01E

W

w

45000

40000

35000

30000

S 25000

U

c

GOC

o

20000

15000

10000

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 -

Ful SuppI f Leve -

i ^ c>s^ -

• J __ -

- """mmJ '^~~*

1 i 1 —10-Year Median (2000-2009)

^2010

-

Min mum 1t^ciral'>lo

-

OFleratingLeve 1

:

- - M

4 nimur

>torag<

n Usable

» Level

1

1

' :

36482

32427

28373

24318

20263

01 lb

I01

«

n

16208 oO

12154

8099

5000 I 4044

Jam Jan31 Mar2 Apr2 May 2 Junl Jul2 Aug 1 Aug31 Octl Oct 31 Nov 30 Dec 31

Figure 3.20 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2010 and

Median DaUy Storage, 2000-2009

3.4.2 Water Quality

The period from 1987 to 1993 saw very low volumes of surface-water run-off to Cookson

Reservoir. Consequently, total dissolved solids (TDS) in the reservoir increased steadily from

approximately 780 mg/L to over 1,800 mg/L. Since 1993, higher run-off volumes have improved

reservoir water quality. From 1 997 to 2004, the TDS levels in the reservoir generally remained

below 1,000 mg/L. The average TDS level in Cookson Reservoir in 2010 was 1,346 mg/L, up

slightly from the 2009 average level of 1,304 mg/L. Low reservoir and run-off volumes will result

in deteriorating water quality as it has done in the past.

31
3.5 Air Quality

SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2010 recorded no values greater than Saskatchewan

Environment's one-hour average standard of 0.17 ppm and the 24-hour average standard of 0.06

ppm. The 2010 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 13.0

|ig/m^ and 2010 was the nineteenth consecutive year of below-average standard particulate

readings.

3.6 Quality Control

3.6.1 Streamflow

No comparative current-meter discharge measurements were made in 2010 at the East Poplar River at Intemational Boundary site between personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and

Environment Canada (EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability because of poor

measuring conditions at the site.

3.6.2 Water Quality

No joint sampling was performed in 2010 at the East Poplar River at Intemational Boundary due to continued suspension in the collection of surface-water-quality samples by Environment Canada.

32
ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

CANADA-UNITED STATES

Al-1

September 23, 1980

POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

I. PURPOSE

This Arrangement will provide for the exchange of data collected as described in the attached

Technical Monitoring Schedules in water-quality, water quantity and air quality monitoring programs

being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary in response to SaskPower development. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of the data in each

country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical interpretation.

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

II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS

Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are:

Government of Canada: Environment Canada

Government of the Province of Saskatchewan:

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Government of the United States of America: United States Geological Survey

Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

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

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

Al-3
A. Membership

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating

Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of the

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

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

Committee.

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

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

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

B. Functions of the Committee

The role of the Committee will be to fulfil 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.

I. Information Exchange

Each Co-chairperson will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart Co-chairperson on a

regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules.

Al-4
2. Reports

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

and may at any time prepare joint Special Reports.

(b) Annual Reports will

i) summarize the main activities of the Committee in the year under Report and the data

which has been exchanged under the Arrangement;

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

data (i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other appropriate techniques);

iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any recommendations regarding

the adequacy or redundancy of any scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals

regarding modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based on a continuing

review of the monitoring programs including analytical methods to ensure their

comparability.

(c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of participating governments

definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention.

(d) Preparation of Reports

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

reports will be so distributed.

Al-5
3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections

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

(a) dissemination of information within their respective countries, and the arrangement of

any discussion required with local elected officials;

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

Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating monitoring agencies;

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

agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring

Schedules;

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

countries any failure to comply with a scheduled monitoring fiinction on the part of

any cooperating agency under the jurisdiction of that government, and requesting that

appropriate corrective action be taken.

IV. PROVISION OF DATA

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

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

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

responsible.

V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

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

of the participating governments. It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will be

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

Al-6
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2011

CANADA-UNITED STATES

A2-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE A2 - 5

CANADA

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 8

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 10

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY A2 - 14

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- POWER STATION AREA A2 - 1

6

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- ASH LAGOON AREA

WATER LEVEL A2-18

WATER QUALITY A2 - 19

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32

A2-3

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 1 98 1 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Cjovemments

based on the recommendations of the Committee.

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

Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional

information is usually available upon request from the collecting agency and forms part of the pool

of technical information which may be drawn upon by 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 has been collected on either a routine or specific-studies basis by various

agencies.

A2-5

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2011

CANADA

A2-7
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally

published in surface-water-data publications.

Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada; Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

1* 11AE003

(06178500)

East Poplar River at International Boundary

2 11AE013*** Cookson Reservoir near Coronach

3 11AE015*** Girard Creek near Coronach Cookson Reservoir

4 11AE014*** East Poplar River above Cookson Reservoir

5 Fife Lake Overflow**

6* 11AE008

(06178000)

Poplar River at International Boundary

* International gauging station. ** Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Saskatchewan Watershed

Authority (SWA) during periods of outflow only. *** SWA took over the monitoring responsibility effective July 1/92.

A2-8
CANADA

UNITED STATE

10 15 KILOMETERS _i L lOMiLES

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-9
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING

Sampling Locations

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

1 00SA11AE0008

Suspended

East Poplar River at International Boundary

Responsible A ^ency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data collected by: Sask Power

No. on Map Station No. Station Name

2 12386 East Poplar River at Culvert immediately below

Discontinued Cookson Reservoir

3 12368 Cookson Reservoir near Dam

4 12377

Discontinued

Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36

5 12412

Discontinued

Girard Creek at Coronach, Reservoir Outflow

6 7904 Fife Lake Outflow*

^Sampled only when outflow occurs for a 2 -week period, which does not occur every year.

A2-10
LEGEND

SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENT AND

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

15 KILOMETERS

10 MILES

SURFACE-WATER-QUALiTY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-11
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

ENVIRODAT*

Code

Analytical Method Sampling Frequency

Station No. 1

10151 Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Potentiometric Titration SUS

10111 Alkalinity-total Potentiometric Titration sus

13102 Aluminum-dissolved AA-Direct SUS

13302 Aluminum-extracted AA-Direct sus

07540 Ammonia-total Automated Colourimetric sus

33108 Arsenic-dissolved ICAP-hydride sus

56001 Barium-total AA-Direct sus

06201 Bicarbonates Calculated sus

05211 Boron-dissolved ICAP sus

96360 Bromoxynil Gas Chromatography sus

48002 Cadmium-total AA Solvent Extraction sus

20113 Calcium AA-Direct sus

06104 Carbon-dissolved organic Automated IR Detection sus

06901 Carbon-particulate Elemental Analyzer sus

06002 Caibon-total organic Calculated sus

06301 Carbonates Calculated SUS

17206 Chloride Automated Colourimetric sus

06717 Citloiophyll a Spectropholomctric SUS

24003 Chromium-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS

27002 Cobalt-total AA-Solvent Extraction sus

36012 Coliform-fecal Membrane Filtration sus

36002 Coliform-total Membrane Filtration sus

02021 Colour Comparator sus

02041 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge sus

06610 Cyanide Automated UV-Colourimetric sus

09117 Fluoride-dissolved Electrometric sus

06401 Free Carbon Dioxide Calculated sus

10602 Hardness Calculated sus

17811 Hexachlorobenzene Gas Chromatography sus

08501 Hydroxide Calculated sus

26104 Iron-dissolved AA-Direct sus

82002 Lead-total AA-Solvent Extraction sus

12102 Magnesium AA-Direct sus

25104 Manganese-dissolved AA-Direct sus

07901 N-particulate Elemental Analyzer sus

07651 N-tota! dissolved Automated UV Colourimetric sus

10401 NFR Gravimetric sus

28002 Nickel-total AA-Solvent Extraction sus

07110 Nitrate/Nitrite Colourimetric sus

07603 Nitrogen-total Calculated sus

10650 Non-Carbonate Hardness Calculated sus 18XXX Organo Chlorines Gas Chromatography sus

08101 Oxygen-dissolved Winkler sus

15901 P-particulate Calculated sus

15465 P-total dissolved Automated Colourimetric sus

185XX Phenoxy Herbicides Gas Chromatography sus

15423 Phosphorus-total Colourimetric (TRAACS) sus

19103 Potassium Flame Emission sus

11250 Percent Sodium Calculated sus

011201 SAR Calculated sus

00210 Saturation Index Calculated sus

34108 Selenium-dissolved ICAP-hydride sus

14108 Silica Automated Colourimetric sus

11103 Sodium Flame Emission sus

00211 Stability tadex Calculated sus

16306 Sulphate Automated Colourimetric sus

00201 IDS Calculated sus

02061 Temperature Digital Thermometer sus

02073 Turbidity Nephelometry sus

23002 Vanadium-total AA-Solvent Extraction sus

30005 Zinc-total AA-Solvent Extraction sus

10301 pH Electrometric sus

92111 Uranium Fluometric sus

* - Computer Storage and Retneval System - Environment Canada AA - Atomic Absorption UV - Ultraviolet NFR - Nonfilterable Residue ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. SUS - Suspended

A2-12
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Saskalchenan Environment

Data Collected bv: SaskPower

ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analytical method

Sampling Freq

Station No

ucncv

2 3 4 5 6

1(1151 Alkalmity-phenol Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

lOiOl Alkalinity-tot Pot-Titration DIS DIS DIS OF

13004 Aluminum-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

33004 Arsenic-tot Flameless AA DIS A DIS DIS

06201 Bicarbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS Q DIS DIS W

48002 Cadmium-tot AA-Solvenl Extract (MIBKI DIS A DIS DIS

20113 Calcium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06005 Carbon-tot Organic Infrared DIS DIS DIS OF

06301 Carbonates Calculated DIS (1 DIS DIS OF

1 7203 Chloride Automated Colouri metric DIS DIS DIS OF

06711 Chlorophyll- 'a' Spectrophotometry DIS Q DIS DIS

24004 Chromium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

36012 Coliform-fec Membrane filtration DIS DIS DIS OF

36002 Coliform-tot Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

02041 Conductivity Conductivity Meter DIS Q DIS DIS W

29005 Copper-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

09105 Fluoride Specific Ion Electrode DIS A DIS DIS

82002 Lead-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

12102 Magnesium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

80011 Mercury-tot Flameless-AA DIS A DIS DIS

42102 Molybdenum AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) DIS A DIS DIS

07015 N-TKN Automated Colounmetnc DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10401 NFR Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10501 NFR( F) Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

28002 Nickel-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS Q DIS DIS OF

07110 Nitrate + NO2 Automated Colouri metric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06521 Oil and Grease Pet. Ether Exfraction DIS A DIS DIS

08102 Oxygen-diss Meter DIS Q DIS DIS OF

15406 Phosphorus-tot Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

19103 Potassium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

34005 Selenium-Ext Hydride generation DIS A DIS DIS

11103 Sodium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

16306 Sulphate Colounmetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10451 TDS Gravimetric DIS DIS DIS OF

02061 Temperature Thermometer DIS DIS DIS OF

23004 Vanadium-tot AA nirect DIS A DIS DIS

30005 Zinc-lot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

10301 pH Electrometric DIS DIS DIS W

* Computer storage anid retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment.

Symbols:

W - Weekly during overflow; OF- Once during each period of overflow greater than 2 weeks' duration; - Quarterly; A - Annually; AA - Atomic Absorption; Pot - Potentiometric; tot - total; Pet - Petroleum;

fee - fecal; diss - dissolved; EXT - extract; NFR - Nonfilterable residue; NFR(F) - Nonfilterable residue, fixed; ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; (MIBK) - sample acidified and extracted with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone; DIS - Discontinued.

A2-13
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN

DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Watershed Authority*

Measurement Frequency: Quarterly

Piezometer

Number

Location

Tip of Screen

Elevation (m)

Perforation Zone

(depth in metres)

52

506B

507

509

510A

NW 14-1-27 W3

SW 4-1-27 W3

SW 6-1-26 W3

NW 1 1-1-27 W3

NW 1-1-28 W3

738.43

48.27

725.27

725.82

769.34

43-49 (in coal)

81-82 (in coal)

34 - 35 (in coal)

76-77 (in coal)

28-29 (in coal and clay)

Data Collected by: SaskPower

A2-14
CANADA

UNITED STATES

5 10 IbKILOMETEfiS

I ^ , 5 10 MILES 1

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

A2-15
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA--WATER LEVELS

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C525 Empress

C526 Empress

C527 Empress

C539 Empress

C540 Empress

C739 Empress

C740 Empress

C741 Empress

C743 Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

POPLAR RIVER

POWER STATION AREA-WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer

Number

Completion

Formation

C526 Empress

C540 Empress

C741 Empress

A2-16
A2-17
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

C534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C711 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized Till C713 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Unoxidized Till C714C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress

C715 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress

C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress

C741 Empress

C742 Empress

C758 Intra Till Sand

A2-18
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress

GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA - WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C533 Empress

€534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C711 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand

C712C Mottled Till C7I2D Oxidized Till C7I3 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Unoxidized Till C714C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress

C715 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till

A2-19
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA - WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress

C728A Oxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress

C741 Empress

C742 Empress

C758 Intra Till Sand

C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress

A2-20
A2-21
Ambient Air-Quality IVIonitoring

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data Collected by: SaskPower

No. On Map Location | Parameters Reporting Frequency

1 Coronach (Discontinued) Sulphur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulate

Continuous monitoring with hourly

averages as summary statistics. 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling

schedule. 2 International Boundary Sulphur Dioxide

Total Suspended

Particulate

Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling

schedule.

3 Poplar River Power Station Wind Speed and Direction Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics METHODS

Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment

Pulsed fluorescence

Total Suspended Particulate Saskatchewan Environment

High Volume Method

A2-22
lb KILOMETERS

10 MILES

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA)

A2-23

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2011

UNITED STATES

A2-25
STREAMFLOW MONITORING

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

No. on Map Station Number Station Name

1* 06178000 ( 11 AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary

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

Boundary

* International Gauging Station

A2-26
CANADA V^^

UNITED STATES

5 10 15 KILOMETERS

I ^

b 10 MILES

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-27
SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

1

No. On Map USGS Station No. STATION NAME

1 06178000 Poplar River at International Boundary

2 06178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary

PARAMETERS

Annual Sampling Frequency

Analytical Code

Parameter Analytical Method Site r Site 2"

29X01 Alkalinity - lab Fixed endpoint Titration sus sus

00608 Ammonia - diss Colorimetric sus sus

01002 Arsenic - tot AA. GF sus sus

00025 Barometric pressure Barometer, field sus sus

01020 Boron - diss ICP sus sus

01027 Cadmium - lol/rec ICP, MS sus sus

009 1

5

Calcium - diss ICP sus sus

00940 Chloride - diss IC sus sus

00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge sus sus

00061 Discharge - inst Direct measurement sus sus

00900 Hardness sus sus

00950 Fluoride - diss ISE sus sus

01051 Lead - tot/rec ICP, MS sus sus

00925 Magnesium - diss ICP sus sus

00613 Nitrate - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00631 Nitrate + Nitrite - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00300 Oxygen-diss Oxygen membrane, field sus sus

00400 PH Electrometric, field sus sus

00671 Phos, Ortho-diss Colorimetric sus sus

00665 Phosphorous - tot Colorimetric sus sus

00935 Potassium - diss AA sus sus

00931 SAR Calculated sus sus

80154 Sediment - cone. Filtration-Gravimetric sus sus

80155 Sediment - load Calculated sus sus

00955 Silica - diss Colorimetric sus sus

00930 Sodium - diss ICP sus sus

00945 Sulphate - diss IC sus sus

70301 Total Dissolved Solids Calculated sus sus

00010 Temp Water Stem Thermometer sus sus

00020 Temp Air Stem Thermometer sus sus

01092 Zinc - tot/rec ICP, MS sus sus

Samples collected obtained during the monthly periods: * — March - April; May; June; July - September

** — May; June; July; August - September

Abbreviations: AA - atomic absorption; cone. - concentration; CVAF - cold vapor atomic fluorescence; diss - dissolved; GF - graphite fiimace; IC - ion exchange

chromatography; ICP - inductively coupled plasma; ISE - ion-sclcctivc electrode; MS - mass spectrography ; Org - organic; phos. - phosphate; tot - total; tot/rec - total recoverable; SUS - sampling suspended

A2-28
CAkADA

LNi'TDS

S 10 lb KILOMETERS J L

1C MILES

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES)

A2-29
GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations 1

Map Well Total Depth

Casing

Diameter Aquifer

Perforation Zone

Number Location (m) (m)

(cm)

7 37N47E12BBBB 44.1 10.2 Hart Coal 39-44

16 37N46E3ABAB 25.5 10.2 Fort Union 23-25

24 37N48E5AB 9.6 10.2 Alluvium 9.2-9.6

Parameters

Storet ** Code Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No.

0041001106 Alkalinity Calculated 01095 Aluminum dissolved ICP or ICP-MS Sample collection is annually for 50250 Antimony dissolved ICP or ICP-MS ;ill locations identified above. 01005 Arsenic dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01010 Barivmi dissolved ICP or ICP-MS The analytical method descriptions 00440 Beryllium dissolved ICP or ICP-MS are those of the Montana Bureau of 01020 Bicarbonates Electromctric Titration Mines and Geology Laboratory where

82298 Boron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP the samples are analyzed. 01025 Bromide Ion Chromatography

00915 Cadmium,dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00445 Calcium Emission Plasma 00940 Carbonates Electromctric Titration 01030 Chloride Ion Chromatography 01035 Chromium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00095 Cobalt, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01040 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 00950 Copper, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

09000 Fluoride Ion Chromatography 01046 Hardness Calculated 01049 Iron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

01130 Lcad-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

00925 Lithium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01056 Magnesium Emission Plasma, ICP 01060 Manganese-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

01065 Molybdenum Emission Plasma, ICP-MS

00630 Nickel, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

00671 Nitrate Ion Chromatography 00400 Orthophosphate Ion Chromatography

00935 pH Electrometrie 00931 Potassium Emission Plasma, ICP

01145 SAR Calculated 00955 Selcnium-diss ICP-MS

01075 Silica Emission Plasma, ICP-MS

00930 Silver, dissolved ICP-MS

01080 Sodium Emission Plasma, ICP

00445 Strontium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

01057 Sulphate Ion Chromatography 01150 Thallium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS ' 28011 Titanium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01085 Uranium, dissolved ICP-MS

00190 Vanadium, dissoved ICP or ICP-MS

01160 Zinc-diss Emission Plasma, ICP

* Zirconium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

70301 Sum of diss. Constituents Calculated TDS Calculated

SYMBOLS:

** - Computer storage and retrieval system — EPA ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit cm - centimetre ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry diss - dissolved m - metre A2-30
N /

canaDm V, UMTED STATES

5 10 15 KILOMETERS

_1 L

10 MILES

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES)

A2-31
GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology |

No. on Map Montana Ground Water

Information Center ID No,

Sampling

5 GWICID4321 Determine water levels quarterly

6 GWICID4227 Determine water levels quarterly

7 GWIC ID 4267 Determine water levels quarterly

8 GWICID4287 Determine water levels quarterly

9 GWIC ID 4274 Detemiine water levels quarterly

10 GWIC ID 4340 Determine water levels quarterly

11 GWICID4329 Determine water levels quarterly

13 GWIC ID 4248 Determine water levels quarterly

16 GWIC ID 4211 Determine water levels quarterly

17 GWIC ID 4297 Determine water levels quarterly

19 GWIC ID 4290 Determine water levels quarterly

22 GWIC ID 4261 Determine water levels quarterly

23 GWIC ID 124105 Determine water levels quarterly

24 GWIC ID 144835 Determine water levels quarterly

A2-32
1 rW-'i^Uf^

UNITED STATES

5 10 15KIL0MFERS

I

' r-^— ^

5 10 MILES

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING

A2-33

ANNEX 3

RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD,

POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976)

A3-1

*RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT

IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN

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

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

following conditions:

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

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

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

60 percent of its natural flow.

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

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

United States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows:

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

below the confluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork.

(b) The delivery of water from Canada to the United States on the East Poplar River

shall be determined on or about the first day of June of each year as follows:

(i) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately

preceding March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic

decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028

cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary

throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In

addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 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

decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters

(7,500 acre-feet),

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

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

A3-3
then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic

feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar

River at the hitemational Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.028 cubic metres per second

(1.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 3 1st of the following year, hi addition, a volume of 61 7 cubic

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

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

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

below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding

March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500

acre-feet), but does not exceed 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet),

then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic

feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar

River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second

(2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 3 1st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic

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

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

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

the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1 st to May 31st period exceeds 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet) then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through

August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0

cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1 st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic

decameters (1,000 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon

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

(c) The natural flow at the International Boundary in each of the remaining

individual tributaries shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow.

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

unless otherwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with the uses and

requirements of both countries.

A3-4
ANNEX 4

CONVERSION FACTORS

A4-1

CONVERSION FACTORS

ac — 4,U4 / m = U.U4U4 / ha

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

°C = 5/9(''F-32) cm = 0.3937 in. cm" = 0.155 indam^ = 1,000 m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft

ft^ = 28.3171 X 10"V

ha = 10,000 m- = 2.471 ac hm = 100 m = 328.08 ft hm = 1 X lOSn^

I. gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb =1.1x10-' tons km = 0.62137 miles

km^ = 0.3861 mi^

L = 0.3532 ft^ = 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^ = 10.765 ft' m^ = 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I. gal= 264.2 I mVs = 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 substance/24.45) mg/m^

A4-3