s

333.911

M26PRAR

2009

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING

COMMITTEE

River

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2009

June 2010
Montana Stale Library

3 0864 1006 0460 5
2009 ANNUAL REPORT

to the

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES,

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA

by the

POPLAR RIVER

BILATERAL MONITORING

COMMITTEE

River

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2009

June 2010

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 29th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses

the Committee activities of 2009 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2010.

During 2009, 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 from Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 2009, 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 370 dam3 (300

acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during 2009. A volume of 442 dam3 (358 acre-feet), in addition to the

minimum flow, was delivered to the United States between May 1 and May 31, 2009. In addition, daily

flows in 2009 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most of the year except for June 12 to July 16 and several periods during January and December when daily flows were below the

recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the channel.

During 2009, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 2008

Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee.

Yours sincerely,

Joyn M. Kilpatrick /

lairman, United States Section

[ike Renouf

Chairman, Canadia

Thomas Schultz

Member, United States Section

GregAflilman

Member, Canadian Section
Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

Montana State Library

http://archive.org/details/annualreporttogo2009popl
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highlights for 2009 iii

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Committee Activities 2

2.1 Membership 2

2.2 Meetings 2

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

2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities 4

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 6

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6

3.2 Surface Water 6

3.2.1 Streamflow 6

3.2.2 Apportionment 7 3.2.3 Minimum Flows 7

3.2.4 On-Demand Release 8

3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality 10

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 1

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 22

3.3.2.2 Montana 23

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 25

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 25

3.3.3.2 Montana 29

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 30

3.4.1 Storage 30

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 Water-Quality Objectives 5 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2009 Sampling

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana 21

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply

Project Wells 26

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

at the Discharge Pipe 27

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2009 30

FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge during 2009 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean

Discharge from 1931-2000 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 Measured and Estimated TDS Concentration 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 Estimated Daily TDS Concentration, 1990 to 2009, East Poplar River at International

Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 13

Figure 3.8 Measured and Estimated Boron Concentration for 2009 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 Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, 1990 to 2009, East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 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 21

Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 22

Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 23

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

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

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 29

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2009 and Median

Daily Water Levels, 1999-2008 31

n
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009

The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-sixth full year of operation in 2009. The two 300-

megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,503,657 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average

capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 79.5 percent and 83.3 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 2009 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 2009 was exchanged in the spring of 2010.

The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2009

was 13,560 dam3 (11,000 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 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for the

period June 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009, and 0.057 m

3/s (2.0 ft

3 /s ) for the period September 1, 2009

to May 31, 2010. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2009 was 0.028

m

3/s (1.0 ft

3 /s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31,

2008.

Daily flows during 2009 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most of

the year except for June 12 to July 16 and several periods during January and December 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, 2008 runoff volume of 1,400 dam3 (1,130

acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, Montana was

entitled to an additional release of 370 dam3 (300 acre- feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the

succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2008. Montana requested this release to be

made between May 1 and May 31, 2009. A volume of 442 dam3 (358 acre-feet), in addition to the

minimum flow, was delivered during this period.

The 2009 five-year TDS flow-weighted concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1,000

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

calculated in 2009 was about 987 mg/L, relative to the 2008 level of 992 mg/L. Spring runoff in the

Poplar River basin was above normal in 2009 and helped to reduce the TDS concentration to some

extent. Boron concentrations for 2009, though based upon a limited number of water-quality samples as

is TDS, continued to remain well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. In 2009, the maximum

monthly five-year flow-weighted concentration of Boron was 1.92 mg/L.

in

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 techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical

Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the year 2008. 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 Governments 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 2009, 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. T. Schultz, Montana Department of Natural Resources and

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

Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C. W. Tande, Daniels County Commissioner, Montana local exofficio representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio

representative.

2.2 Meetings

The Committee met via a conference call on June 26, 2009. Delegated representatives of

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

participated in the conference call. In addition to Committee members, other technical advisors

representing Federal, State, and Provincial agencies participated in the conference call, as well. Committee members reviewed the operational status of the Poplar River Power Station and

associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected in 2008 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

2010.
2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives

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

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

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

water-quality objectives.

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

subcommittee that was formed in 1992 to review the objectives. The Committee also discussed the

water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved

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

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

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

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

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 to suspend monitoring for these parameters was based on data indicating concentrations or

levels well below or within the objectives. Current objectives approved by the Committee are listed

in Table 2.1.

The Committee also agreed to periodically review all 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 information 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 on a quarterly basis. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the

beginning of the 1992 calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged once each year as soon

after the end of the calendar year as possible. However, unusual conditions or anomalous data will

be reported and exchanged whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 2009 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 waterquality 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 water-quality monitor for its surface-water-quality monitoring

program.

The USGS, in cooperation with the Fort Peck Tribes, collects water-quality samples four times per

year to supplement the daily specific conductance data collected by the continuous water-quality

monitor.

Funding from the Fort Peck Tribes has been discontinued in 2010 putting the grab sample collection

effort by the USGS at jeopardy. The Committee will discuss the issue at its face-to-face meeting on

June 22, 2010 in Coronach, Saskatchewan.
Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives

Parameter

Original

Objective

Recommendation

Current

Objective

Boron, total 3.5/2.5

1 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 1 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, fish (mg/kg) 0.5 Suspended* —

Nitrate 10 Continue as is 10

Oxygen, dissolved

4.0/5.

2 Objective applies only during open

water

4.0/5.0

2

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

3 Continue as is 30.03

pH (units) 6.5

4 Continue as is 6.54

Colifotm (no./lOO mL)

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 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning).

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

4. Less than 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 operates the Poplar River Power Station near the town on

Coronach, Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station is comprised of two lignite-burning

power generating units designated Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Unit No. 1 is rated as a 315

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

share a common 1 22 meter stack.

In 2009 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 2009 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 4,503,657 MW

hours. During this time approximately 3,455,271 tonnes of coal and 3,535 m

3 of fuel oil were

consumed. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were 79.5% and 83.3%

respectively.

3.2 Surface Water

3.2.1 Streamflow

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 2009. The March to October recorded

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

16,420 cubic decametres (dam3

) (13,310 acre-feet), which was 165 percent of the 1931-2008

median seasonal flow of 9,930 dam3 (8,050 acre-feet). A comparison of 2009 monthly mean

discharge with the 1931-2008 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1.
c

o

u

01 <0

la«

Q.m2i

•52 c

3O

O— Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2008 Monthly Mean Discharge for 2009

160

140

120

100

C

ou

<0

la

01a

4*

0)

01 u.

,03o

01e

ac

o

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge during 2009 as Compared with the Median Monthly

Mean Discharge from 1931-2008 for the Poplar River at International Boundary.

The 2009 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2,450

dam3 (1,990 acre-feet). This volume is 91 percent of the median annual flow of 2,680 dam3

(2,170 acre-feet) for 1976-2008 (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,

2009 was 13,560 dam3 (11,000 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 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second

(ft

3/s)) for the period June 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009, and 0.057 m

3/s (2.0 ft3 /s ) for the period

September 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May

31, 2009 was 0.028 m

3/s (1.0 ft3/s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for

March 1 to May 31, 2008. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and

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

Daily flows during 2009 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC for most

of the year except for June 12 to July 16 and several periods during January and December when

daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the channel.

"Dco

o

Q>

</}l_

0)a

</> or 0.1 a£

u

3

o

c

s>

re JCu

0.01 0.35

7 ?

in o cm cr> a a < <

CM l£> CT> CO

CM T- CM

>>CC-=-=-=0)0!QQ.

^.''CMCDOTT h- »- ^ °° T-nOr-.w-"! CM »" *- CM t- CM 2009

V) V)

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0)a.

*ja

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ino

c

oTen

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, 2008 runoff volume of 1,400 dam3

(1,130 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station,

Montana was entitled to an additional release of 370 dam3 (300 acre-feet) from Cookson

Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2008. Montana

requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 3 1

, 2009. A volume of 442 dam3 (358

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.

800 650

m

*-2 600

700 .

- Or* Demand Release Delivery

4) 01 E

CD

- Oii-Demand Release Request - 550 01 u. O

ft) Q 600 - 500

450

iC1

c s

3u500 400

E

.c 350 3

S5

400

300 __.- ...-

.--*" 300

250

1

re

<u _...—'""

1^- 200 3 2

200 - ^^^^

150

E3o

3

E 100

3 100 - u

i I i i i i i i i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • i i i t • i 50

O ^ ki X x *, ^ >» * X * Ss :»> V * X >s

IB (0 m re re re re to n nj re re re re re re

< s 5 5 S S § 5 f | s S 5 5 S s : |

i 1- pi «o K 6> T* n to k. en *> <M K

CM CM < 1 2009

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

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended:

For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should not exceed 3.5

milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 1,500 mg/L for TDSfor any three consecutive months in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the March to October period, the long-term

average offlow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1,000 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 number of

samples collected was also reduced. At present, four surface water quality samples are collected and

analysed by the USGS per year at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. 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, except for the four water-quality samples

collected for TDS and boron by the USGS in 2009. Hence, the three-month FWC for TDS and boron

in 2009 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 2009 is calculated

from data generated over the period December 2003 to December 2009. 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.

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.

Measured and estimated TDS concentrations for 2009 for East Poplar River at the International

Boundary are shown in Figure 3.4. The TDS concentrations in 2009 ranged from an 866 mg/L on

October 15 to 1,122 mg/L on December 15. The three-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of

1990-2009 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 2009. The maximum monthly five-year estimated FWC in 2009 was about 987 mg/L,

relative to the 2008 maximum monthly value of 992 mg/L. Dissolved solids concentrations in 2009

were similar to those recorded in 2008. 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 1990 through December 2009 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.

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

(R2 = 0.84, n^ 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate TDS concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the

International Boundaryfor 2009. These estimates are used in the current annual water-quality report.
1200

1000

TO E 800

o

600

4 1116 1122

. lnoo 1046 * -^^- 7050' ^ „_._

JL nn7 a mm 4 1022 * irm • > wy/

940' 866

Legend: 940' Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

997 Statistically Estimated using Average Mid-Month Specific Conductance Values

"e - Estimated"

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

_ 400

200

lien <

Q. O

O

CD D

Figure 3.4: Measured and Estimated TDS Concentration for East Poplar River

at the International Boundary

1800

1600 Short-term Objective

-J400

400

200

—Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

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

o i— CM n T* IT) (D i^ 00 CO o CD CD CD en a> en en en CO CO 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

1000 o

CO

0)>

o

800

600

400

200

/— - - -..

Lorg-terni Objective

o — o —

Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

1600

400

200

Figure 3.7: Estimated Daily TDS Concentration, 1990 to 2009 East Poplar River

at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

13
3.2.5.2 Boron

Similar to TDS, four water-quality samples were collected by the USGS for boron in 2009. Other

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 2009, measured and

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

Boundary varied from 1.67 mg/L on October 15 to 2.20 mg/L on December 15.

The 3-month flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron for the period of record is shown in Figure 3.9. The short-term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded over the period 1975 to 2009. It can be seen that the concentrations measured in water-quality samples and those estimated

using regression equations describing a statistical relation between boron concentration 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 displayed in Figure 3.10 remained well below the long-term

objective of 2.5 mg/L.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 to December 2009 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 (R2 = 0.57, n = 617)

Note: The above equation was used to estimate boron concentrations for the E. Poplar River at the

International Boundaryfor 2009. These estimates are used in the current annual water-quality

report.

14
400

3.50 _ 3.00

£ 2.50 co

o

CD 2.00

O 1.50 a

1.00

0.50

0.00

1.94 »^97 1- 99 f.82

A 2.08 . + ha .02 2.10 * 22°

1.84 1.67

Legend: 2.08 Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample

1.94 Statistically Estimated using Specific Conductance Values

a. <

o2

Figure 3.8: Measured and Estimated Boron Concentration for 2009

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

Short -term < Object ve

— A

.11 *

*

f

< b * i

<

4

i

1 yxy

'Hi y *

Pi*

4 y

^f IffIPi,*

. ?* <^

t i/

*[ * fl VT T* r^ L*#

•f n Y

i 7

i

* */ l

' ' < «

/ w

'•«

- - * - - Statistically Estimated using Specific Conductance Values

1

3.5

o) 2.5 E

o

CD

1.5

0.5

OSc — fN

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

Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary

15
o

2.5

o) 2

E,c2

(§15

T3>Ob

0.5

L ong- term Obje ctive of 2.:5 mg L

---

aNONONONONONaNaNONaNOOOOOOOOOO^-' O — <N en ^ m ^o t-- oo On O — r-in^u-ivor-oooso

»—,(—,»—,•—)>—,»—j *—> i—> i—3

i—i —a '—> '—a '—i —r. —* '—i '—a >—i •—> '—

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

for East Poplar River at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

3.00

.<2 1.00 Q

0.50

0.00 oON — <N

on ON On ON

oo

ON

ON

ON Oo o o

NOo oooo

ON O

o —

Figure 3.11: Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, 1990 to 2009 for East Poplar River

at the International Boundary (Statistically Estimated)

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, 2009 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) 4

Total Dissolved Solids 1,500/1,000(1) 4

Objectives recommended by Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments

Cadmium, total 0.0012 4

Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 4

Lead, total 0.03 4

Nitrate 10.0 4

Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0 (2) 4

Sodium adsorption ratio 10.0 4

Sulphate, dissolved 800.0 4

Zinc, total 0.03 4

Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0 (3) 4

pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) 4

(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 (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.

Note: No excursions were noted in 2009.

18
3.3 Ground Water

3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan

SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2009 with 3,297 cubic

decameters (dam3 ) of ground water being produced. This is down slightly from the 4,046

dam3 pumped in 2008. Production from 1991 to 2009 has averaged 4,736 dam3 per year.

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. With the

drought of the late 1980's and early 1990's it was evident that there was a continued need for

ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently the wells were

taken over by SaskPower for use as a supplementary supply.

Poplar River Power Station - Supplementary Supply

9000 i

8000

7000

o^ <& o>*

^

<# <*>* <& & <& c# <** <**> <& # #c?>* c^ #

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 damVyear. 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.

In 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 dam3 in 1994 to a low point of

426 dam3 in 2003. A well rehabilitation program resulted in some recovery in production

rates with production of 812 dam3 in 2006. Production dropped again to 426 dam3 in 2009.

The majority of water (382 dam3

) came from wells PW87104 and PW87105 on the east side

of the river 103 dam3 from PW90109 on the west side. The total water produced from the

Soil Salinity Project in 2009 was 527 dam3.

20
Poplar River Power Station - Salinity Project

£

E

o>

KN d> <0> oJ> d? c£ dN <£ d?> d? o

N _d> _d> _c> _d? d<> c<V d* <$ >S> d?> d°> d?" d? d? d? d? d?> d? d? d? d? d? d? d? d? d? d? d? d? o

N

Year

Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project

3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring

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

the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana

[ Formation Location Geologic Formation Name

Saskatchewan Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium

| Montana Fox Hills Hell Creek j Fort Union Alluvium

21
3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan

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

Saskatchewan Environment approved this reduction based on modelling studies undertaken by

SaskPower.

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

Morrison Dam two to three metres, which is roughly equivalent to pre-reservoir levels. Groundwater pumpage from 1990 to 1995 ranged between 900 and 1,100 damVyear and consequently the

drawdown objectives were achieved in 1995 and 1996. Declining pumpage from 1995 until 2004

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

magnitude being two meters or less in piezometers adjacent to the production wells.

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

Boundary. These hydrographs illustrate that there have been no significant changes in water levels in

the Hart Coal Seam near the boundary in the past 20 years.

Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply

Groundwater Monitoring

765

735

<£• <# <# <# c?>N <& <& <gF JP <& <& <& dS? cS? c?>N v# c^ c?

1" # <# <# <# <#

<>N <^ O^ ^ <*N

<*N<*N<*N

<*n

<*n ^ O^ <*

,*C° .-^ ."^ .V^ ,-v° ,<-> .N-* ."C5 vN° ,*\° ,*\° X° ."\°N.-C^# .-x<# .•so<^ .^# X°<# ,<°o<> i'C<#3 v

-\°# ."s# .V^#

<i-N o^ s o

N oN

<sNo" o

N oN

<aN o

nN o- onX o

nN o

n o

n 0*5, o

nN onN onX

<a"X o

n

<a* Date

-M492A -»-MS07 —*— NI509

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

22
Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply

Groundwater Monitoring

<

E

810

800

790

2 780

770

760

i

*

1 L

r*-i _-•1 EBI M| I.E«i 1 m si 1 *...

<

• A A .'

< ' «

•

« ! 4'

< ,<

«

- c£ <& eg? a# d?>N ^ <# c# <**" <# c# <^ <# <# <# C?" # <# C^ C^ C _^ .^ .^ a# .^ _x«9 -\^ -^ .v"? .vN9* .^ .^ _<P .v^ _& _<$> .& _& _<$

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

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.

23
Jan

<&>

<%3 f <»E>

"L

>^^"^»^^>w>Sft<x>^^ ^ w^^^< >k ^"s^sax**

Well6(GWIC 4227+10 ft offset: Hart Coal) Well17(GWIC 4297: -3 ft offset: Hart Coal)

- Well 7 (GWIC 4267+7 ft offset: Hart Coal) Well19(GWIC 4290-5 ft offset: Hart Coal)

j , ,

,

, , ,

,

, , , ,, , ,

1 . , ,

! , , ,

,

, , ,

,

. , ,

,

, , , 1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year

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

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

highs in wells 6, 7, 9, 16, 19, and 22 during 2004 and 2005. Water levels in wells 6 and 16 have

fallen since 2004-2005, and are now about 1 ft (0.3 m) below their 2003 altitudes. Water levels

in wells 7 and 9 remain about one ft (0.3 m) above their 2003 altitudes and the water level in

well 22 is at the same altitude as 2003. There was no apparent short-term response to the snow

melt event in wells 13 and 17, but water levels in these wells rose between late 2003 and early

2007. Since 2007, water levels in well 13 are relatively unchanged. Water levels in well 17

reached a peak in 2006 before declining to near 2003 levels in 2007. Water levels in well 17

have risen about 0.5 ft (0.2 m) since 2007.

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

1 -Figure 3.17) has

shown little fluctuation during the 1979-2009 monitoring period, but the entire record shows a

slight long-term downward trend.

24
Jan

"55-

V»o

V

1979 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan-1991 Jan-1995 Jan-1999 Jan-2003 Jan-2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Year

• Well 10 (Gwic 4340 fi offset : Alluvium/coal) Well 23 (GWIC 124105+2 ft offset: Fort Union)

-Well 11 (GWIC 4329: +3 ft offset: Fox Hills-Hell Creek)

- Well 24 (GWIC 1 44835: -3 ft offset : Alluvium)

Figure 3.17 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek 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 selected alluvial/outwash wells (10, 23, and 24) and the Fox

Hills/Hell Creek well (11) 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 the

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

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

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 2009 is provided in Table 3.3. Result averages for the 1992-2008 penods

are also included in this table for comparison.

25
TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from

Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells*

1992 to 2008

Average

2009

Average

pH (units) 8.1 8.3

Conductivity (us/cm) 1,289 1,415

Total Dissolved Solids 887 946

Total Suspended Solids 11 5

Boron 1.2 1.3

Sodium 172 188

Cyanide (ug/L) 0.0006 0.000001

Iron 0.3 0.1

Manganese 0.1 0.03

Mercury (ug/L) 0.08 0.01

Calcium 68 54

Magnesium 52 58

Sulfate 273 290

Nitrate 0.05 0.31

* All 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 2009, plus an

average of the 1992-2008 results are provided in Table 3.4. Results have remained relatively

consistent since 1992.

26
TABLE 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity

Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe*

1992-2008

Average

2009

Average

pH (units) 7.6 7.9

Conductivity (us/cm) 1,446 1,599

Total Dissolved Solids 1,000 1,090

Boron 1.6 1.8

Calcium 104 88

Magnesium 49 60

Sodium 156 222

Potassium 7.5 7.5

Arsenic (ug/L) 11.5 14.5

Aluminum 0.06 0.004

Barium 0.035 0.027

Cadmium 0.015 0.001

Iron 4.1 3.6

Manganese 0.131 0.101

Molybdenum 0.015 0.002

Strontium 1.742 1.475

Vanadium 0.015 0.002

Uranium (ug/L) 0.619 0.900

Mercury (u/L) 0.08 0.02

Sulfate 325 368

Chloride 6.5 8.0

Nitrate 0.051 0.180

* All 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.

27
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 below the lagoon liner systems will continue with the purpose of confirming the boron

trend noted below and to improve the understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash

lagoons.

The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a

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. Isolated ground-water mounds have developed

within the area of the oxidized till ground-water mound. 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 379 mg/L in 2009. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and installed at the same level,

they are being influenced by different water. Chloride results for C728A suggest initial seepage and

it is to be expected that over time the same observation will be seen in C728D.

The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to southeast

below Morrison Dam. As a general observation, Empress piezometers respond to changing reservoir

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

analyses showing little real change in boron or chloride results. Piezometer C712B has been

monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels were below 1 mg/L. From 1992 to 2009,

boron levels have remained relatively steady between 12 and 20 mg/L.

28
3.3.3.2 Montana

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2009. Well 7 is completed in the

Hart Coal, well 16 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 most recent TDS concentration in well 16 appears

anomalously low. Production rates from well 16 have decreased to the point where only enough

water can be pumped to rinse and bottle the samples. MBMG will attempt to re-develop the well in

2010. 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

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

800

700

600

500

400

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 16 (GWIC 421 1

- Fort Union) -B- Well 24 (GWIC 144835 -Alluvium)

Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells.

In addition to the regularly scheduled sampling, Montana collected inorganic samples from wells 5,

6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 22, and 23. Analytical results from these samples are available from the GWIC

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

29
3.4 Cookson Reservoir

3.4.1 Storage

On January 1, 2009, Cookson Reservoir storage was 24,360 dam3 or 56 % of the full supply volume.

The 2009 maximum, minimum and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5.

Spring inflows into the reservoir were above normal in 2009. A release was made in May to meet

the recommended Poplar River basin demand release for the 2008-2009 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 3,291 dam3 to Girard Creek. It is estimated that less than

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

527 dam3

Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2009

Date Elevation

(m)

Contents

(dam3 )

January 1 750.10 24,360

May 8 (Maximum) 752.22 37,530

March 14 (Minimum) 750.09 24,300

December 3751.35 31,570

Full Supply Level 753.00 43,410

30
The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling. Power

plant operation is not adversely affected until reservoir levels drop below 749.0 metres. The dead

storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 metres. The 2009 recorded

levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19.

2009 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Level

753

M

P

n

745

Full Supply Level

2009 j Minimum Desirable Operating Level

-4 r

Minimum Useable Storage Level

Ten Year Median Level

4- -r H f -i

19100 {P5

p

fn 11400 f

ne

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2009 and

Median Daily Water Levels, 1999-2008

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. The average TDS level in Cookson Reservoir in 2009 was

1,304 mg/L, down slightly from the 2008 average level of 1,434 mg/L. Run-off and reservoir

volumes continues to significantly influence the water quality of the reservoir as it has done in

the past.

31
3.5 Air Quality

SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2009 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 2009 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 15.0 ug/m3

and 2009 was the eighteenth 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 2009 at the East Poplar River

at International 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 2009 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to

continued suspension in the collection of surface-water-quality samples by Environment Canada.

32
ANNEX 1

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATrVE 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.

1. Information Exchange

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

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

Al-4
2. Reports

(a) The Committee will prepare a joint 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 function on the part of

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

appropriate corrective action be taken.

IV. PROVISION OF DATA

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

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

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

responsible.

V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

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

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

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

Al-6
ANNEX 2

POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATrVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2010

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 - 16

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

- ASH LAGOON AREA

WATER LEVEL A2-18

WATER QUALITY A2 - 19

AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22

UNITED STATES

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30

GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32

A2-3

PREAMBLE

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

monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is

described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement.

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

Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any

definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality at the International Boundary. The

Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments

based on the recommendations of the Committee.

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

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

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

of technical information which may be drawn upon by 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

2010

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

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 Agency: 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
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UN IT ED STATES \ Caft

LEGEND

SAS KATCH EWAN E NVIRO NM ENT AND

RESOURCE MANAG EMENT

EWVRONMENT CANADA

5 10 lSKLOMETEftS J T^ "-

lOMUBS

SURFACE -WATER- QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA)

A2-11
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Environment Canada

ENVIRODAT*

Code

Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency

Station No. I

10151 Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Potentiometric Titration SUS

101 11 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

20103 Calcium AA-Direct SUS

06104 Carbon-dissolved organic Automated IR Detection SUS

06901 Carbon-particulate Elemental Analyzer SUS

06002 Carbon-total organic Calculated SUS

06301 Carbonates Calculated SUS

17206 Chloride Automated Colourimetric SUS

06717 Chlorophyll a Spectrophotometric 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-total 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

II 103 Sodium Flame Emission SUS

00211 Stability Index Calculated SUS

16306 Sulphate Automated Colourimetric SUS

00201 TDS 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 Retrieval System AA - Atomic Absorption NFR • Nonfillerable Residue

Environment Canada UV - Ultraviolet ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma SUS - Suspended

A2-12
PARAMETERS

Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment

Data Collected by: SaskPower

ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analytical method

Sampling Frequency

Station No.

2 3 « 5 6

10151 Alkalinity-phenol Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10101 Alkalinity-tot Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF

13004 Aluminum-lot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

33004 Arsenic-tot Flameless AA DIS A DIS DIS

06201 Bicarbonate* Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS Q DIS DIS W

48002 Cadmium-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS

20103 Calcium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06005 Carbon-tot Organic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06301 Carbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF

17203 Chloride Automated Colourimetric DIS Q 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 Q 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 Colourimetric 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 + N02 Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

06521 Oil and Grease Pet Ether Extraction DIS A DIS DIS 08102 Oxygen-diss Meter DIS Q DIS DIS OF

15406 Phosphorus-tot Colounmetry 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 Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF

10451 TDS Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF

02061 Temperature Thermometer DIS Q DIS DIS OF

23004 Vanadium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS

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

10301 pH Electrometric DIS Q DIS DIS W

* Computer storage and retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment.

Symbols:

W - Weekly during overflow, OF- Once during each period of overflow greater than 2 weeks' duration, Q - 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

Location

Tip of Screen Perforation Zone

Number Elevation (m) (depth in metres)

52 NW 14-1-27 W3 738.43 43-49 (in coal)

506B SW 4-1-27 W3 48.27 81-82 (in coal)

507 SW 6-1-26 W3 725.27 34 - 35 (in coal)

509 NW 1 1-1-27 W3 725.82 76-77 (in coal)

510A NW 1-1-28 W3 769.34 28-29 (in coal and clay)

Data Collected by: SaskPower

A2-14
CANADA \

IN (TED STATES

5 1D t5 KILOM ETERS

I —r-1 4

S 1DMILEB

GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER S TO MON ITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERINO

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

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

A2-19
GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING

ASH LAGOON AREA - WATER QUALITY

SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation

C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress

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 Monitoring

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
CANADA. \

UNfT ED STATES

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AMBIENT AIR-Q UALITY MONITORING (CANADA]

A2-23


POPLAR RIVER

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES

2010

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

10 lSHLOfctTKS J I L T~ T0MLE5

HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIO N S ( U NITE D STATE S)

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

Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

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 Samp ing Frequency

Analytical Code

Parameter Analytical Method Site f Site 2"

29801 Alkalinity - lab Fixed endpoint Titration 4 4 00608 Ammonia - diss Colonmetric 4 4 01002 Arsenic - tot AA, GF 4 4 00025 Barometric pressure Barometer, field 4 4 01020 Boron - diss ICP 4 4 01027 Cadmium - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 00915 Calcium - diss ICP 4 4 00940 Chloride - diss IC 4 4 00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 4 4 00061 Discharge - inst Direct measurement 4 4 00900 Hardness 4 4 00950 Fluoride - diss ISE 4 4 01051 Lead - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 00925 Magnesium - diss ICP 4 4 00613 Nitrate - diss Colorimetric 4 4 00631 Nitrate + Nitrite - diss Colorimetric 4 4 00300 Oxygen-diss Oxygen membrane, field 4 4 00400 pH Electrometric, field 4 4 00671 Phos, Ortho-diss Colonmetnc 4 4 00665 Phosphorous - tot Colorimetric 4 4 00935 Potassium • diss AA 4 4 00931 SAR Calculated 4 4 80154 Sediment - cone. Filtration-Gravimetric 4 4 80155 Sediment - load Calculated 4 4 00955 Silica - diss Colorimetric 4 4 00930 Sodium - diss ICP 4 4 00945 Sulphate - diss IC 4 4 70301 Total Dissolved Solids Calculated 4 4 00010 Temp Water Stem Thermometer 4 4 00020 Temp Air Stem Thermometer 4 4 01092 Zinc - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4

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 furnace; IC - ion exchange

chromatography, ICP - inductively coupled plasma; ISE - ion-selective electrode, MS - mass spectrogTaphy ; Org - organic; phos. - phosphate, tot - total; tot/rec - total recoverable

A2-28
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SURFACE -WATER- QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UN fTEO STATES)

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

Map

Number

Well

Location

Total Depth

(m)

Casing

Diameter

(cm)

Aquifer

Perforation Zone

(m)

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 all locations identified above. 01005 Arsenic dissolved ICP or ICP-MS

01010 Barium 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 Electrometric 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 Electrometric 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 Lead-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 Electrometric 00931 Potassium Emission Plasma, ICP 01145 SAR Calculated 00955 Selenium-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 - cm - centimetre ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit Mass Spectrometry diss - dissolved A2-30
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A2-31
GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL

DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERTNG

Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

No. on Map Sampling

5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,16,17,19,22,23,24 Determine water levels quarterly

A2-32
CANADA V

UNIT ED STATES

5 10 lSKLOfcCTffiS -H "-10M1E

GROUND-WATER PIEZOM ETERS TO MONfTOR 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:

1

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

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

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

60 percent of its natural flow.

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

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

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

(a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural

flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary, as determined

below the 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 States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment, Poplar River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report,

International Souns-Red Rivers Board, Poplar River Task Force, 43 pp

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

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

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

(1.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 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.

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

below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding

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

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

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

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

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

(2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 617 cubic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

requirements of both countries.

A3-4
ANNEX 4

CONVERSION FACTORS

A4-1

CONVERSION FACTORS

o

ac = 4,047 m

3 = 0.04047 ha

ac-ft = 1,233.5 m

3 = 1.2335 dam3 C = 5/9(°F-32)

cm = 0.3937 in. cm

2 = 0.155 in dam3 = 1 ,000 m

3 = 0.8 1 07 ac-ft

ft

3 = 28.3171 x 10°m3

ha 10,000 m

2 = 2.471 ac hm = 100 m =328.08 ft hm3 = lxl06 m

3

I. gpm = 0.0758 L/s

in = 2.54 cm

kg = 2.20462 lb = 1.1 x 10

3 tons km = 0.62137 miles

km2 = 0.3861 mi2

L 0.3532 ft

3 = 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

2 = 10.765 ft

2 m

3 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft3 = 219.97 I. gal= 264.2 U.S. gal

m

3 /s = 35.314 cfs mm = 0.00328 ft

tonne 1 ,000 kg = 1 . 1 023 ton (short)

U.S. gpm = 0.063117s

For Air Samples

ppm = 100 pphm = 1000 x (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m

A4-3
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