1994 ANNUAL REPORT 

to the 

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 

SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



by the 




Poplar 



POPLAR RIVER 
BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 



COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1994 



December 1995 



Montana State Library 



3 0864 1004 5766 5 



s 

353.9^ 



1994 ANNUAL REPORT 



STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION 

DEC 26 1995 

to thG MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 

•■^ 1515 E. 6th AVE. 

HELENA, MONTANA 59620 



GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, 
SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA 



by the 
POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 

COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1994 



PLEA 






,\f~ i-^h I I iiJ^l December 1995 



\ i 



)• 



Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee 



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

Governor's Office 
State of Montana 
Helena, N/lontana, United States 



Department of External Affairs 
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 

Saskatcfiewan Environment and 

Resource Management 
Regina, Sasl<atcliewan, Canada 



Indies and Gentlemen: 

During 1994, 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 the exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on March 12, 1987, the 
Arrangement was extended to March 1991. In July 1992, another exchange of Diplomatic Notes 
extended the Arrangement retroactively from March 31, 1991 to March 31, 1996. In addition, the 
Arrangement was modified to terminate quarterly exchange of data and substitute an annual 
exchange of data. 

The enclosed report summarizes current conditions and compares them to guidelines for specific 
parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission under the 1977 
Reference from Canada and the United States. After examination and evaluation of the monitoring 
information for 1994, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended 
objectives. However, the Committee notes that flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solids 
in streamflow in the East Poplar River at International Boundary is approaching the long-term 
objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per liter. 

During 1994, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in 
the 1993 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. 

Herein is the 14th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report 
discusses the Committee activities of 1994 and presents the proposed monitoring schedule for 1995. 

Yours sincerely, 



a. u.6mAJ! 



Jq)b a. Moreland . 

Cnair/<fan, United 9<ites Section 




GkyFritz 

Member, United States Section 



Richard Kellow 

Chairman, Canadian Section 



Z> ^ 



D.D. Nargang 

Member, Canadian Section 




TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Highlights for 1994 ill 

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 5 

3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 5 

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 5 

3.2 East Poplar River 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 Water Quality 9 

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 9 

3.2.5.2 Boron 12 

3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 14 

3.3 Groundwater 16 

3.3.1 Operations 16 

3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 17 

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 17 

3.3.2.1.1 Exploration Activities 20 

3.3.2.2 Montana 21 

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 22 

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 22 

3.3.3.2 Montana 27 

3.4 Cookson Reservoir 28 

3.4.1 Storage 28 

3.4.2 Water Quality 30 

3.5 Air Quality 30 

3.6 Quality Control 30 

3.6.1 Streamflow 30 

3.6.2 Water Quality 31 

4.0 References Cited 33 

ANNEXES 

1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States A1 -1 

2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical Monitoring 

Schedules, 1995, Canada-United States A2-1 

3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3-1 

4.0 Metric Conversions A4-1 



TABLES 

Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 4 

Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1 994 Sampling 

Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 15 

Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply 

Project Wells 22 

Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity Control Project Wells 

Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 23 

Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1994 29 

Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for November 3, 1994 31 

FIGURES 

Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1994 as Compared with the Median Discharge for 1931-1990 

for the Poplar River at international Boundary 6 

Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary 8 

Figure 3.3 TDS Concentrations for 1 994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at 

International Boundary 10 

Figure 3.4 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River 

at International Boundary 10 

Figure 3.5 Five- Year Moving. Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at 

International Boundary 11 

Figure 3.6 Boron Concentrations for 1 994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at 

International Boundary 12 

Figure 3.7 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar 

River at International Boundary 13 

Figure 3.8 Five-Year Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River 

at International Boundary 14 

Figure 3.9 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1994 18 

Figure 3.10 Cone of Depression in the Empress Sands Due to the Salinity Control Project 

as of December 1994 19 

Figure 3.11 Hydrographs of Selected Wells 21 

Figure 3.12 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Monitoring Wells 28 

Figure 3.13 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1994 and Median Monthly 

Water Levels for 1981-1991 29 



HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1994 

The Poplar River Power Station completed its eleventh full year of operation in 1 994. The two 300- 
megawatt coal-fired units generated 4 397 600 gross megawatt-hours (MW/h) of electricity. In 1 994, 
the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 80.5 percent and the average capacity factor for Unit 
No. 2 was 89.2 percent. 

Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 1994 was exchanged 
in the spring of 1995. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters 
met the requirements identified in the 1994 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth In the 1993 
annual report. 

The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary for 1994 was 
14 500 cubic decametres (dam^) which was 144 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow. 
The 1994 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2 420 dam^. 
This volume is 76 percent of the median annual flow since completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. The 
on-demand release, in accordance with the apportionment recommendations of the International 
Joint Commission (IJC), entitled Montana to 370 dam^ for 1993-94 to be delivered between May 1 
and May 30, 1 994. A volume of 391 dam^ was delivered during this period. 

The 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations of total dissolved solids for the East Poplar River at 
International Boundary which reached 975 milligrams per liter in 1993 declined to 966 milligrams per 
liter in 1994. The slight reduction was a result of spring runoff in 1994. Even though there was a 
slight decrease in the 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved solids for 1994, 
the upward trend that has occured since 1987 will probably continue if surface-water runoff 
continues to be below average. 



ill 



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, 1 980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as 
Annex 1 . On March 12, 1 987, the Arrangement was extended by the Governments for four years to 
March 1991 . The Arrangement was further extended for another five years to March 1 996 following 
a request from the Committee in 1 991 . A more detailed account of the historical background of the 
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 Corporation'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 Intemational 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. This report is the 
fourteenth in the series. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of 
Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention. 

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 to document changes in monitoring locations, sampling 



2 

frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques. The Technical Monitoring Schedules listed 

in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the forthcoming year. The Committee will continue to 
review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements 
change. 

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 the Province of Saskatchewan. 

During 1994, members of the Committee included: Mr. J. A. Moreland, U.S. Geological Survey, 
United States representative and CoChairperson; Mr. R.G. Boals, Environment Canada, Canadian 
representative and CoChairperson; Mr. G. Fritz, Montana Department of Natural Resources and 
Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. D.D. Nargang, Saskatchewan Environment and 
Resource Management, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W. Tande, Daniels County 
Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio representative; and Mr. J.R. Totton, Reeve, R.M. of Hart 
Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative. 

2.2 Meetings 

The Committee met on July 12 and 13, 1994, in Coronach, Saskatchewan. Delegated 
representatives of Governments and the ex-officio member from Montana attended the meeting. 
The ex-officio member from Saskatchewan was not in attendance. In addition to Committee 
members, several technical advisors representing Federal, State and Provincial agencies 
participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the Committee reviewed the operational status of 



3 

the power plant and mine; examined data collected in 1993 including surface-water quality and 

quantity, ground-water quality and quantity, and air quality; established the Technical Monitoring 
Schedules for 1994; discussed proposed changes in water-quality objectives; and toured the power 
plant, ash lagoons, mine, and other ancillary facilities. The Committee also prepared the first draft of 
the 1 993 Annual Report to Governments. 

2.3 Review of Water-Qualltv Ob)ectlves 

The Intemational 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, the Committee undertook a review of water-quality objectives. 

The Committee approved changes In water-quality objectives recommended by the 1991 
subcommittee which was formed to review the objectives. Revised objectives approved by the 
Committee are listed in Table 2.1 . 

The Committee 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 flow-weighted concentrations are time consuming and probably 
scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or procedures. 

Objectives for un-ionized ammonia, pH, and mercury in fish tissue will require additional study. 



Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 



PARAMETER 


FORMER 
OBJECTIVE 


REVISIONS 


NEW OBJECTIVE 


Boron, total 


'3.5/2.5 


Discontinue flow weighting 


? 


TDS 


'1500/1000 


Discontinue flow weighting 


? 


Aluminum, dissolved 


0.1 


Discontinue 


-- 


Ammonia, un-ionized 


0.02 


Base objective on temperature and pH 
(table to be done later) 


? 


Cadmium, total 


0.0012 


Continue as is 


0.0012 


Chromium, total 


0.05 


Discontinue 


-- 


Copper, dissolved 


0.005 


Discontinue 


-- 


Copper, total 


1.0 


Continue as is 


1.0 


Fluoride, dissolved 


1.5 


Continue as is 


1.5 


Lead, total 


0.03 


Continue as is 


0.03 


Mercury, dissolved 


0.0002 


Change to total 


0.0002 


Mercury, fish (mg/kg) 


0.5 


Discuss with fisheries people 


? 


Nitrate 


10 


Continue as is 


10 


Oxygen, dissolved 


^4.0/5.0 


Objective applies only during open water 


^4.0/5.0 


SAR (units) 


10.0 


Continue as is 


10.0 


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 (need to determine what is 
natural) 


? 


Conform (no./1 00 mL) 








Fecal 


2,000 


Discontinue 


-- 


Total 


20,000 


Discontinue 




Units in mg/L except as noted. 

1. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron, <1000 TDS. Three-month average 
of flow-weighted concentration should be <3.5 boron and <1500 TDS. 

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

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

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



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 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 information will be reported and exchanged 
whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 1994 which warranted special 
reporting. 

3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 

3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 

In 1994, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 80.5 percent. The average capacity factor for 
Unit No. 2 was 89.2 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum power generation 
rating of 297.8 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 294.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated from both 
units was 4 397 600 gross megawatt-hours which Is about 101 percent of 1993 power and 94 
percent of 1 992 power. 

Ash Lagoon 3 South was a major construction project undertaken in 1994. Construction of the 
lagoon began on August 15, 1994 and was completed on December 16, 1994. The lagoon design. 
Including the liner system, was equivalent to the existing ash storage lagoons. 



3.2 East Poplar River 
3.2.1 Streamflow 

Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 1 994. The March to October recorded 
flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 
14 500 cubic decametres which was 144 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow. A 
comparison of 1994 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-90 median discharge is shown in Figure 
3.1. 




MAR 



MEDIAN OF MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1931-90 
MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE FOR 1994 




APR 



MAY 



SEP 



OCT 



Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1994 as Compared with the Median Discharge 
from 1931-1990 for the Poplar River at international Boundary. 



The 1994 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 2 420 dam^. 
This volume is 76 percent of the median annual flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. 



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 not 
officially adopted by the two countries, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adhered 
to the Apportionment Recommendations in each of its annual reports. 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, 1994 
was 13 200 dam^. 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) for the period June 1 through August 31, 1994, and 
0.057 m^/s from September 1 , 1 994 to May 31 , 1 995. The minimum flow for the period January 1 to 
May 31, 1994 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for 
March 1 to May 31, 1993. 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 1994 occasionally fell below the recommended minimum because of beaver 
activity, ice conditions, and changes in stage/discharge relationships. The deficit volume for June 
through December, 1 994, was 35 dam^--an average of 0.002 m^/s per day. 




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 during the twelve month period commencing June 1 . Based on the 
runoff volume of 2 740 dam^ recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gaging station 
during the March 1 to May 31, 1993 period, Montana was entitled to a release of 370 dam^ from 
Cookson Reservoir during the twelve-month period commencing June 1, 1993. Montana requested 
this release to be made between May 12 and May 30, 1994. A volume of 391 dam^ was delivered 
during this period. 



3.2.5 Water Quality 

The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended: 

For the March to Octot)er period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should 
not exceed 3.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for boron and 1 500 mg/L for total dissolved 
solids for any three consecutive months In the East Poplar River at the International 
Boundary. For the March to October period, the long-term average of flow-weighted 
concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1 000 mg/L or less for total 
dissolved solids In the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. 

The Bilateral Monitoring Committee adopted the approach that, for the purposes of comparison with 
the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) data are best 
graphically plotted as 5-year moving flow-weighted concentrations (FWCs) which were advanced 
one month at a time. 

Data for January, half of November, and December were unavailable for inclusion in the flow- 
weighted concentration calculations. Samples collected in January froze and the local observer 
discontinued collection of samples in November and December. The January grab sample for boron 
was contaminated and unusable. No grab sample was collected in August. 

3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 

TDS data for grab samples collected by Environment Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey in 
1994 are shown in Figure 3.3. TDS ranged from 525 mg/L (March 16) to 1 092 mg/L (September 
20). The short-term objective for TDS is 1 500 mg/L. A time plot of the 3-month moving FWCs for 
TDS is presented in Figure 3.4. No exceedances of the objective have been observed during any 3- 
month period since 1 975. 



10 



oil 
g 

Q 



1200 
1 100 
1000 

poo 

800 
700 
600 - 
500 



400 



J I 1 I I ^ L 



1994 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 

Month 



Figure 3.3 TDS Concentrations for 1994 Grab Samples from East Poplar River 
at International Boundary. 



tiO 



a. 



1 — ' — I — '■ — i — ■■ — r 




from sample analysis 
from regression 



_L_j I I L 



1975 1976 1977 1976 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1993 1994 1995 

Year 



Figure 3.4 Thiree-IVIonth Moving, Fiow-Weighited TDS Concentration for East 
Poplar River at International Boundary. 



11 

Five-year FWCs forTDS (Figure 3.5) remained below the long-term objective of 1 000 mg/L. A slight 
decrease in the 5-year FWCs for TDS from approximately 975 mg/L to 966 mg/L was observed in 
1994. This decrease was a result of spring runoff in 1994. A 200-mg/L increase had previously 
occurred in early 1988 and had been maintained through 1989 and 1990. The 1991 rise In FWCs for 
TDS corresponds to depressed spring flows in the East Poplar River. A similar increase in FWCs for 
TDS was seen during mid-1987. Relatively low spring discharges have occurred since 1984. Even 
though there was a slight decrease in the FWCs for TDS for 1994, the upward trend in FWCs for 
TDS will probably continue if the surface-water runoff continues to be below average. The Increase 
in FWCs for TDS can be explained in part by salt build-up in Cookson Reservoir as a result of water 
being used for cooling. Forced evaporation causes salts to concentrate within the reservoir. This 
process is further driven by drought conditions which prevailed over the last half of the data record 
(Lang and Jones, 1988). In addition, low-flow conditions (when flows are derived largely from 
ground-water sources) likely increase TDS concentrations and yields a positive trend in FWCs for 
TDS. 



Q 



1300 
1200 
1 100 - 
1000 

900 

800 

700 - 

600 - 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 



1 — ' — i — ' — r 




J I I I \ i \ I I I I . 1,1 ,1,1,1,1 



1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 

Year 



Figure 3.5 Five- Year Moving, Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar 
River at International Boundary. 



12 

The relation between TDS and specific conductance generated from data collected from 1975 to 

1 994 is as follows: 

TDS = (0.635 X specific conductance) + 15.38 
(R2 = 0.87, n = 493) 

3.2.5.2 Boron 

During 1 994, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at International Boundary varied from 
0.60 mg/L (March 16) to 2.10 mg/L (June 6) (Figure 3.6). 



t!£! 

s 



O 
CO 



2.50 
2.25 
2.00 
1.75 
1.50 
1.25 
1 00 
0.75 
0.50 
25 



0.00 
1994 



Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Ocl Nov Dec 1995 

Month 



Figure 3.6 Boron Concentrations for 1994 Grab Samples from East Poplar 
River at International Boundary. 



Three-month FWCs for boron for the period of record are shown in Figure 3.7. The short-term 
objective of 3.5 mg/L boron was not exceeded for the period 1975-1994. The similarity in shape 
between the TDS and boron plots (Figures 3.4 and 3.7) is a strong indication of the influence of 
discharge on FWCs. 



13 



on 

a 



o 



Short-Term Objective (3.5 rug/L) 




V...K?!-. 






from sample analysis 
from reeression 



1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1900 1981 1982 1903 1984 1905 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1991 1995 

Year 



Figure 3.7 Three-Month Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East 
Poplar River at International Boundary. 



The 5-year FWCs for boron, displayed in Figure 3.8, remained well below the long-term objective of 
2.5 mg/L boron. From mid-1988 to the end of 1990, there was a slight increase in the 5-year FWCs 
for boron. The 5-year FWCs for boron decreased from approximately 1.97 mg/L in 1993 to 1.88 
mg/L in 1 994. The 5-year calculations for boron were influenced by discharge in the same way as 
was TDS. 



14 



-| — ' — I — ' — r 



Long— Term Objective (2.5 mg/L) 




I , I ; I . I 



J . I 



J i I 1 I . I 



1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 

Year 



Figure 3.8 Five- Year Moving, Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East 
Poplar River at International Boundary. 



The relation between boron and specific conductance at East Poplar River at International Boundary 
during the period 1975-1994 is described by the equation: 



boron = (0.00140 x specific conductance) - 0.169764 
(R2 = 0.67, n = 493) 



3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 

Table 3.1 lists the current multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at 
International Boundary, approved by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. Revisions to 
the water-quality objectives recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to 
the IJC were made in 1992 as outlined in the 1992 annual report. Objectives for un-ionized 
ammonia, mercury in fish tissue, and pH require further definition. No excursions occurred in 1994. 



15 



Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1994 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 Govemments 


Boron, total 


'3.5/2.5 


8 


10 


Nil 


Total Dissolved Solids 


'1500/1000 


8 


10 


Nil 


Objectives recommended by International Poplar River Water Quality Board to IJC (Revised in 1992) 


Ammonia un-ionized (as N) 


Base objective 
on tempera- 
ture and pH 
(to be defined) 


8 


10 


No Objective 


Cadmium, total 


0.0012 


5 


10 


Nil 


Copper, total 


1.0 


5 


10 


Nil 


Fluoride, dissolved 


1.5 


8 


10 


Nil 


Lead, total 


0.03 


5 


10 


Nil 


Mercury, total 


0.0002 


3 


9 


Nil 


Mercury, whole fish (mg Hg/Kg) 


0.5 


- 


- 




Nitrate (as N) 


10.0 


8 


10 


Nil 


Oxygen, dissolved 


^4.0/5.0 


6 


6 


Nil 


Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 


10.0 


8 


10 


Nil 


Sulphate, dissolved 


800.0 


8 


10 


Nil 


Zinc, total 


0.03 


4 


10 


Nil 


Water Temperature (Celsius) 


'30.0 


6 


6 


Nil 


pH (pH Units) 


'•6.5 


6 


6 


Nil 


1 . Three-month average of flow -weighted concentrations should be <3.5 boron and <1,500 TDS. Five-year average of flow- 
weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron and < 1,000 TDS. 

2. Objective applies only during open water. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum remainder of year). 

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

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



16 

3.3 Groundwater 

3.3.1 Operations 

In 1 994, SaskPower Corporation continued to operate their Supplementary Water Supply Project to 
augment supplies in Cookson Reservoir. The 1 994 total of 5 485 dam'' of water produced from the 
Supplementary Water Supply Project was slightly less than the 1993 production of 5 582 dam^. 
SaskPower Corporation has an approval to produce an annual volume of 5 500 dam^. 

SaskPower Corporation's Supplementary Water Supply Project 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. Production was reasonably consistent throughout most of the year with the exception of 
the July to September period when there was a reduction in pumping. In summer, wells which do 
not supply water to domestic users are turned off. Consequently, in July and August, only 5 wells 
were pumped as opposed to the remainder of the year when 17 to 18 wells were pumped. Reduced 
summer pumping assists in achieving maximum flows into Cookson Reservoir by minimizing 
evaporative losses in Girard Creek. 

Operation of SaskPower Corporation's Salinity Control Project continued in 1994 with production 
from 7 wells with a total volume of 1 095 dam^ pumped during the year. (An eighth well is located 
along the International Boundary, but has never been operated.) This represents a slight increase 
over the 1993 pumped volume of 1 036 dam*'. As in previous years, the majority of the water was 
pumped from wells PW87103 and PW87104 on the east side of the river and PW90108 on the west 
side of the river. 



17 
3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 

3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 

The December 1994 drawdown map for the Hart Coal Seam (figure 3.9) indicates that there was a 
slight contraction in the 1 -metre drawdown contour In the northwest portion of the area. The 
apparent expansion of the 1 -metre drawdown in the southwest portion of the area was most likely 
due to the re-establishment of piezometer 51 OA. There were no significant changes in the 
drawdown contours of 5 metres or greater. Nine piezometers were deleted from the monitoring 
network in 1 994. 

The December 1994 drawdown map for the Empress sands (figure 3.10) Indicates that there was a 
slight overall reduction in both the extent and magnitude of drawdowns from Salinity Control Project 
pumping. 

This reduction is a reflection of the significant recharge which occurred In 1993 and 1994. The goal 
of the project is to lower water levels in the Empress sands below the reservoir by 2 to 3 metres. 
This had been established prior to the significant recharge which started in June 1993. The 
increased pumping rate in 1993 and 1994 has been able to re-establish a 2-metre drawdown cone 
around well PW87102. Similar operation of the Salinity Control Project will continue until a two- to 
three-metre drawdown cone is established again. 

Three piezometers associated with the Salinity Control Project were damaged. Two of these are to 
be replaced. Two or three new piezometers will also be installed. 



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20 

3^.2.1.1 Exploration Activities 

Given the continuing low water levels in Cookson Reservoir SaskPower Corporation continued to 
evaluate the Frenchman (Hell Creek) formation as an additional supplementary supply. The 
exploration efforts by SaskPower Corporation have essentially taken place in two phases. The first 
phase included test drilling, observation and test well installation, and a 36-day pump test. The 
pumping rate during the test was initially set at 150 U.S.gpm. but eventually had to be reduced to 
80.8 U.S.gpm. Using the information obtained, a numerical model (MODFLOW) was constructed, 
and various pumping scenarios modelled. Model results indicate that at a production rate of 1 000 
dam'^/year, significant drawdowns at the International Boundary would occur. A copy of the 
investigation report was submitted to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. 

Following the first phase which was completed in 1993, SaskPower Corporation constructed two 
additional wells utilizing alternative well designs in order to increase production rates. A pump test 
using all three wells was initiated on March 30, 1994 and continued until September 27, 1994 (181 
days). An initial pumping rate of 982 m^/day was obtained, but within a few days the rate had to be 
reduced to 806 m^/day due to high drawdowns in the production wells. Following the pump test, a 
modelling study using MODFLOW was undertaken. 

Based on the results of the pump test and subsequent modelling, SaskPower Corporation found that 
the overall hydraulic conductivity and thus productive potential of the Frenchman aquifer are 
significantly lower than were expected at the start of the investigation. Initially, SaskPower 
Corporation had hoped for a supplemental supply of 2 000 dam^/year, but the investigation indicates 
that this would require a well field of at least 24 and perhaps as many as 40 wells. A pipeline to 
transport the water would also be required. 



21 

SaskPower Corporation has applied for an approval to operate the three existing production wells at 

a rate of 360 dam^/year (180 U.S.gpm). The modelling study predicts that after ten years, 
drawdowns in the range of 1 to 5 metres at the International Boundary would result from production 
from these wells. Saskatchewan Water Corporation is currently reviewing this allocation request. 

3.3.2.2 Montana 

Water levels in monitoring wells 8, 9, and 11 fluctuated in response to seasonal changes. Water 
levels in wells 5-7, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 22 increased in 1994 reflecting higher rates of recharge (figure 
3.11). The influence of pumping from Salinity Control Project wells was observed in wells 10 and 24. 



2460 n 



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Jan-80 Jan-83 Jan-86 Jan-89 Jan-92 Jan-95 

DATE 



Figure 3.11 Hydrographs of Selected Wells. 



22 

3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 

3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 

The water quality from the Supplementary Water Supply Project discharge points has t)een 
consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters during 
1994 Is provided in Table 3.2. Statistical averages of the results since January 1990 are Included In 
this table. Water quality from the wells Is better than the current reservoir quality and therefore this 
water has a positive influence on the quality of water In the reservoir. 



Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from 
Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells 





1990-1994 
Average 


1994 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.6 


7.5 


Conductivity (p.S/cm) 


1 358 


1 410 


Total dissolved solids 


917 


923 


Total suspended solids 


3.6 


3.6 


Boron 


1.24 


1.25 


Sodium 


179 


182 


Sulphate 


253 


252 


Nitrate 


0.03 


0.03 


Cyanide 


<2 


<2 


Iron 


1.2 


1.2 


Manganese 


0.23 


0.22 


Units in mg/L except as noted. 



23 

The water quality of the common discharge point from the Salinity Control Project wells is generally 

better than the water quality in Cookson Reservoir. Average results from the common discharge 
point for 1994, plus an average of the 1990-1994 results, are provided in Table 3.3. Results have 
been consistent since 1 990. 



Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from 
Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 





1990-1994 
Average 


1994 
Average 


pH (units) 


7.5 


7.4 


Conductivity (nS/cm) 


1 415 


1 420 


Total dissolved solids 


950 


967 


Boron 


1.6 


1.6 


Calcium 


103 


104 


Magnesium 


58 


59 


Sodium 


147 


148 


Potassium 


7.3 


7.3 


Arsenic (M-g/L) 


11.6 


10.2 


Aluminum 


0.02 


0.07 


Barium 


0.03 


0.03 


Cadmium 


<0.001 


<0.001 


Iron 


4.0 


4.5 


Manganese 


0.14 


0.14 


Chloride 


5.3 


5.2 


Strontium 


1.69 


1.52 


Nitrate 


0.116 


0.003 


Sulphate 


313 


306 


Units in mg/L except as noted. 



24 

Ground-water quality in the vicinity of the ash lagoons can potentially be affected by leachate 

movement through the ash lagoon liner systems. 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 for these assessments. 

The ground-water monitoring program was expanded in 1994 as a result of Ash Lagoon 3 South 
construction. In total, 20 new pneumatic piezometers and 28 new standpipe piezometers were 
completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers is scheduled to begin in 1995. 
Nine existing piezometers were also decommissioned at the time of Ash Lagoon 3 South 
construction including: 530, 531 . 729A, 729B, 729D, 774B. 774C and 774D. 

Piezometers 867A, 868A, and 871 A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the 
ash stack of Ash Lagoon 1 . The 1994 monitoring results appear to confirm the trend first observed 
in 1993 that the boron concentration decreases with depth within the ash stack. 

The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is therefore suspected to differ from the 
surface water of the lagoons. Information is only available from piezometers installed within Ash 
Lagoon 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. The effect of ash thickness on leachate 
quality is not completely understood. New piezometers 886A, 887A, 890A, and 893A have now 
been completed above the liner system of new Ash Lagoon 3 South. Monitoring of all piezometers 
completed above the lagoon liner systems will be continued to confirm the trend noted above 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. Relative to the 1993 position, the size and extent of 
the ground-water mound has not significantly changed. The mound extends from the east side of 
Ash Lagoon 2, where levels have increased 6 metres, to the west side of the polishing pond, where 



25 

levels have Increased 4 metres. Oxidized-till piezometers located closer to the reservoir have shown 

a decreasing trend in piezometric levels reacting to lower reservoir levels. 

The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till have occurred 
where piezometric levels have changed the most. This would be expected as changing piezometric 
levels suggest ground-water movement. Increasing boron concentrations on the east and south side 
of Ash Lagoon 2, together with decreasing chloride concentrations suggests leachate influence. On 
the west side of the polishing pond the boron concentrations have not significantly changed. 

Little change in boron or chloride concentrations has been observed for most of the oxidized-till 
piezometers located by the reservoir. The only significant change in samples from any of these 
piezometers has been in 719 where chloride concentrations have decreased 90 mg/L overall since 
1983 to 21 mg/L. The change in quality is suspected to be the result of reservoir influence rather 
than ash lagoon influence. 

A ground-water mound has developed in the unoxidized till, similar to that in the oxidized till, 
extending from the east side of Ash Lagoon 2 to the west side of the polishing pond. The ground- 
water mound is known to be discontinuous as piezometers 764D and 871 C are located within the 
mound area and are reacting to reservoir levels. A review of boron and chloride concentrations does 
not show any significant trends. 

The piezometric surface of the Empress gravels indicate a regional flow from northwest to southeast 
below Morrison Dam. Monitoring since 1983 generally shows that the piezometric surface in the 
lagoon area reacts to the reservoir level. Results for Empress gravel water quality do not indicate 
any leachate influence with the majority of piezometers showing little change in boron or chloride 
concentrations from background values. 

For the past 4 years elevated piezometric water levels and increasing boron concentrations have 
been noted for piezometers 775B and 775D located on the top of the dyke at the south east corner of 



26 

Ash Lagoon 3 North. The changes observed were seen as significant although some data appeared 

anomalous. In the fall of 1994 a new piezometer series 885 was completed near series 775. Data 
from the new piezometers suggests that, in fact, the previous results from 775B and 775D are not 
representative of actual conditions. Piezometers 775B and 775D were decommissioned as part of 
Ash Lagoon 3 South construction in December 1994. 

Sand lens piezometers 71 2B, 766, and 767 are located between the polishing pond and the cooling 
water canal. Piezometer 767 is located on the top of Dyke G and 766 and 7128 are located at the 
toe of Dyke G. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a 
preferential pathway for leachate migration. 

A review of the boron concentration for Piezometer 766 shows an increasing trend up to October 

1 988 when levels peaked at 1 2.6 mg/L. Boron concentrations decreased to 6.99 mg/L in April 1 990, 
then began increasing again-peaking at 35.2 mg/L in June 1993 before falling to 26.7 mg/L in 
October 1993. In October 1994, the boron concentration increased to 36.2 mg/L, the highest 
concentration recorded to date. The chloride concentration for 766 has shown little movement since 
1987 and remains within the 20 to 30 mg/L range, similar to the ash lagoon surface-water 
concentration. 

Until April 1988 the boron concentration for Piezometer 767 was increasing and peaked at 
49.4 mg/L. From this peak the boron concentration has steadily decreased to the end of 1 991 when 
the concentration leveled off near 5 mg/L. The October 1994 result is 6.41 mg/L. The reduction in 
boron concentrations for samples from 767 suggest the movement of a slug of leachate and not a 
continuous plume. There has been an increasing trend in chloride for 767 ranging from 25 mg/L in 

1 989 to 75 mg/L In 1 991 . Since 1991 the concentration has remained near 70 mg/L with an October 
1994 result of 73.4 mg/L. 



27 

Boron concentrations for piezometer 71 2B were initially below 1.0 mg/L until an increasing trend 

began in 1987 with the concentration peaking in April 1992 at 26.6 mg/L. The boron concentration 
then decreased and leveled off near 1 8 mg/L with an October 1 994 result of 1 7 mg/L. Chloride 
concentrations trended down for 71 28 to 50 mg/L in 1988 from over 200 mg/L in 1984. Since 1988, 
chloride levels have changed little with an October 1 994 result of 51 .8 mg/L. 

The total calculated seepage from the ash lagoons in 1994 was determined to be 1.67 litres per 
second. This value is not significantly different from the 1993 calculated seepage of 1.62 litres per 
second. 

The model used to determine seepage sums the calculated horizontal and vertical seepage 
components from each ash lagoon. For Ash Lagoon 3 North the vertical seepage was detennined to 
be zero due to pore pressure beneath the lagoon exceeding what the lagoon water level could 
physically produce. This situation is believed to result from a compression of the soil beneath the 
lagoon due to the weight of the ash and water in the lagoon. The effect is expected to dissipate over 
time. 

Liner permeabilities for all lagoons except Ash Lagoon 3 North are about 10'^cm/sec. The line 
permeability for Ash Lagoon 3 North could not be calculated because of the pore pressure situation 
discussed above. 

3.3.3.2 Montana 

Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 1994. Well 7 is completed in Hart 
Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. No 
significant changes in water quality were observed. Graphs of total dissolved solids for selected 
wells are shown in Figure 3.12. 



28 



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7 

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24 





Jan-80 Jan-83 Jan-86 Jan-89 Jan-92 Jan-95 

DATE 



Figure 3.12 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Monitoring Wells. 



3.4 Cookson Reservoir 

3.4.1 Storage 

On January 1, 1994, Cookson Reservoir storage was 23 300 dam^--only 54 percent of the full- 
supply volume. The 1994 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in 
Table 3.4. In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by ground-water pumpage. Wells 
in the Supplementary Water Supply Project supplied 5 485 dam^ to Girard Creek. Approximately 70 
percent of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the Salinity Control Project 
supplied 1 090 dam^ directly to the reservoir. 



29 



Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1 994 



Date 


Elevation (m) 


Contents 
(dam^) 


January 1 


749.90 


23 300 


February 7 (minimum) 


749:87 


23 150 


April 6 (maximum) 


751.96 


35 650 


December 31 


751.00 


29 440 


Full-supply level 


753.00 


43 400 



The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling. Power 
plant operation Is adversely affected when reservoir levels drop below 749.0 metres. The dead- 
storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 metres. The 1994 recorded 
levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.13. As indicated in Figure 3.13, 1994 
reservoir levels were slightly below the ten-year median levels. 

1994 Cookson Reservoir 



Daily Mean Water Levels 



Contants in 
CuMc DscammtUrs 




Full Supply Level 



1994 Recorded 



Minimum Desired Operating Level 



Minimum Usable Storage Level 



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



Figure 3.13 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1994 and Median 
Monthly Water Levels for 1981-1991. 



30 
3.4.2 Water Quality 

The 1994 spring runoff had a positive impact on Cookson Reservoir water quality. At the end of 
1994, boron concentrations in the reservoir were about 2.4 mg/L compared to about 3.6 mg/L at the 
end of 1 993. Similarly, TDS decreased from approximately 1 600 mg/L at the end of 1 993 to about 
1 250 mg/L at the end of 1994. Water-quality conditions at the end of 1994 were similar to 
conditions in 1 990. 

3.5 Air Quality 

SaskPower Corporation's (SPC) ambient SO2 monitoring for 1994 recorded no violations of 
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management's hourly and 24-hour average standards. 
The highest recorded hourly value of 0.0493 ppm SO2 was recorded in November 1 994. 

Total suspended particulate concentrations for 1994 obtained from SRC's monitor did not exceed 
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management's 24-hour standard of 120 )ig/m^ 
(micrograms per cubic metre). The highest recorded concentration was 84.7 \iQ/rn^ in June 1994. 
The geometric mean for the high-volume suspended particulate sampler for 1994 was 16.0 ixg/m^. 

During the first week of 1994, a new stack-gas analyzer was installed. The analyzer is capable of 
measuring sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and oxygen. It replaced three existing monitors and 
performed well during 1994. 

3.6 Quality Control 
3.6.1 Streamflow 

To test the comparability of streamflow measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 
and Environment Canada (EC), similar measurements were made on the East Poplar River at 
International Boundary on November 3, 1994 by personnel from both agencies. The discharges 



31 

shown in Table 3.5 differ significantly which illustrates the difficulty of obtaining accurate 

measurements of small discharges using conventional current-meter methods. The theoretical 
discharge of the 90° V-notch weir--0.052 m^/s--was used in the computations. 

Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for November 3, 1994 



Agency 


Time 
CST 


Width 
(m) 


N/lean 
Area 
(m2) 


Velocity 
(m/s) 


Gauge 

Height 

(m) 


Discharge 
(m^/s) 


EC 


1315 


1.4 


0.123 


0.528 


1.539 


0.065 


USGS 


1400 


1.5 


0.111 


0.460 


1.539 


0.051 



3.6.2 Water Quality 

Quality-control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at International Boundary on July 
13, 1994. Participating agencies included the U.S. Geological Survey, Environment Canada, 
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, and SaskPower Corporation. 

Sets of triplicate samples were split from U.S. Geological Survey sampling churns and submitted to 
the respective agency laboratories for analyses. Field procedures were identical to those used since 
1986. 

Most parameters showed acceptable reproducibility within and between sets of triplicates. Only the 
variables for which corrective action should be considered are discussed here. 



Laboratory specific conductances showed interagency variability with values ranging from 1 395 to 
1 480 M^S/cm. Total phosphorus ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 mg/L with one lab being biased high 
compared to the other three. One lab had a TKN range of 0.55 to 1.66 mg/L. The NFR results 
indicate that one lab is biased low by one-half compared to the other two reporting labs. Ammonia 
showed a large variation in results, ranging from <0.01 to 0.12 mg/L and two labs had noticeable 



32 

disagreement between triplicates for ammonia. The results for TOC ranged from 8.4 to 9.8 mg/L, 

with none of the reporting labs agreeing with each other. Three labs showed very good interagency 
consistency for sulphate while the fourth lab was biased low. One lab has consistently been biased 
high for TDS, however this is due in part to differing methodology. If that is considered, the TDS 
results are comparable. Total zinc results shown some disagreement, with three labs reporting "less 
than" results and one reporting significantly higher results. Vanadium showed a large variability 
between labs, with a 1 times difference in reported results. The two labs which reported dissolved 
iron had good reproducibility within their respective lab but not with each other. Two of the four labs 
reporting mercury had good agreement, one reported "sample contaminated," and the other 
reported results ranging from <0.005 to 0.03 ^.g/L (micrograms per liter). The Interagency boron 
results were comparable for three of the four labs. One lab was biased a little low. The remaining 
metals results were either near or below the analytical detection limit. 

The evaluation and interpretation of interagency data can be difficult and sometimes impossible, 
therefore one must do more than just compare raw data in these types of quality-control exercises. 
It is up to each agency to decide if their results are acceptable with respect to the other participant's 
results. 



33 

4.0 REFERENCES CITED 

Integrated Environments Limited, 1991, The use of the TYDAC SPANS GIS in the assessment and 
review of pesticide residues detected in surface waters of the Prairie Provinces and the Northwest 
Territories. (Prepared for Environment Canada, Inland Waters Directorate, Western and Northern 
Region, Water Quality Branch, Regina, Saskatchewan.) 138 p. 

Lang, T.-A., and Jones, K., 1988, A comparison of the meteorological conditions during the droughts 
of the 1930's and the 1980's for the Prairie Provinces. Environment Canada, Atmospheric 
Environment Service, Regina. Report No. CSS-R89-01 (A publication of the Canadian Climate 
Program.) 50 p. 



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 Public Safety (now Saskatchewan 

Environment and Resource Management) 
Government of the United States of America: U.S Geological Survey 
Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office 

III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE 

A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee will be established to 
cany out responsibilities assigned to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in 
accordance with the following terms of reference: 

A. Membership 

The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating 
Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of the 
United States. There will be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The participating 
Govemments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the Committee. Co- 
chairpersons 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 fulfill the purpose of the Arrangement by ensuring the exchange 
of monitored data in accordance with the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation 
and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementation of the Arrangement. In 
addition, the Committee will review the existing monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and 

A1-2 



may recommend to the Canadian and United States Govemments any modifications to improve tlie 
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. 

2. Repprts 

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

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

(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 fonA^arded by the 
Committee Co-chairmen to the participating governments. All annual and special 
reports will be so distributed. 

3. Activities of Canadian an d United States Sections 

The Canadian and United States sections 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 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 govemment. and 
requesting that appropriate corrective action be taken. 

A1-3 



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. 



A1-4 



ANNEX 2 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1995 



CANADA-UNITED STATES 



A2-1 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PREAMBLE A2-3 

CANADA 

STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2-5 

SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING A2-7 

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR 

POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2-10 

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

- POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AREA A2-12 

GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING 

- ASH LAGOON AREA A2-14 

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING A2-23 

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 



A2-2 



PREAMBLE 

The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water quality, and air quality 
monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for Information exchange and reporting to 
Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is 
described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement. 



The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been reviewed by the Poplar River 
Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any 
definitive changes In water quantity, water quality, and air quality at the International Boundary. The 
Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to 
Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments 
based on the recommendation of the Committee. 



Significant additional information is being collected by agencies on both sides of the International 
Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional 
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 data on water quantity, water quality, ground water, and air 
quality collected at points in the Poplar River basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In 
addition, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish, and waterfowl 
populations and aquatic vegetation is also being collected as part of routine or specific studies by 
various agencies. 



A2-3 



POPLAR RIVER 

COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 

TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 
1995 

CANADA 



A2-4 



STREAMFLOW MONITORING 



Responsible Agencies: Environment Canada 

Saskatchewan Water Corporation 



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



No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name 


1" 


11AE003 
(06178500) 


East Poplar River at international Boundary 


2" 


"M1AE013 


Cookson Reservoir near Coronach 


3" 


"M1AE015 


Girard Creek near Coronach above 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 (Operated by Environment Canada). 
** - Operated by Saskatchewan Water Corporation. 
*** - Federal-Provincial hydrometric station. 

****- Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Saskatchewan Water Corporation dur- 
ing periods of outflow only. 



A2-5 



r 




HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) 



A2-6 



SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING 



Sampling Locations 



Responsible Agency: Saslcatchewan Environment and Resource Management 


No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name 


1 


7904 


Fife Lal<e Overflow 


2 


12412 
Discontinued 


Girard Creel< at Coronach Reservoir Outflow 


3 


12377 
Discontinued 


Upper End of Cooi<son Reservoir at Highway 
36 


4 


12368 


Cookson Reservoir near Dam 


5 


12386 
Discontinued 


East Poplar River at Culvert immediately 
Below Cookson Reservoir 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 


No. on Map 


Station No. 


Station Name 


6 


00SA11AE0008 


East Poplar River at international Boundary 



A2-7 



PARAMETERS 



Responsible Agency: Environment Canada 


NAQUADAT* 






Sampling Frequency 


Code 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


Station No. 6 


10151L 


AlKalinity-phenolthalein 


Potentiometric Titration 


BM 


10111L 


Alkalinity-total 


Potentiometric Titratton 


BM 


100216 


Aluminunvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


07570L 


Ammonia-tree 


Catoulated 


BM 


07540P 


Ammonia-total 


Autonwled colourlmetric 


BM 


100217 


Bariunvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


100218 


Beryllium-total 


ICP 


BM 


06201 L 


Bicaibonates 


Calculated 


BM 


100211 


Boron-dissolved 


ICP 


BM 


100219 


Cadmiunrvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


201 03L 


Calciu m-dlssolved 


AA-Direcl 


BM 


061 04L 


Caibon-dissolved organic 


Automated IR Detection 


BM 


06901 L 


Carbon -particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


BM 


06002L 


Caibon-total organic 


Cak:ulated 


BM 


06301 L 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


BM 


17206L 


Chloride- dissolved 


Automated cotourimetric 


BM 


100221 


Chromium-total 


ICP 


BM 


100220 


Cobalt-total 


ICP 


BM 


02021 L 


Colour 


Comparator 


BM 


100222 


Copper-total 


ICP 


BM 


09117L 


Fluoride-dissolved 


Electrometric 


BM 


06401L 


Free Carbon Dioxide 


Calculated 


BM 


10602L 


Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


08501 L 


Hydroxide 


Calculated 


BM 


100223 


Iron-total 


ICP 


BM 


100228 


Lead-total 


ICP 


BM 


100224 


Lithium-total 


ICP 


BM 


12102L 


Magnesium-dissolved 


AA-Direct 


BM 


100225 


Manganese-total 


ICP 


BM 


100249 


Mercury-total 


FlamelessAA 


BM 


100226 


Molytxlenunvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


07901 L 


N-particulate 


Elemental Analyzer 


BM 


07657L 


N-total dissolved 


Automated UV Colourlmetric 


BM 


10401L 


NFR 


Gravimetric 


BM 


100227 


Nickel-total 


ICP 


BM 


07110D 


Nitrate/Nitrite 


Automated cotourimetric 


BM 


07603L 


Nitrogen-total 


Calculated 


BM 


10650L 


Non-Catbonate Hardness 


Calculated 


BM 


08101W 


Oxygen-dissolved 


Winkler 


BM 


15901L 


P-particulate 


Calculated 


BM 


15465D 


P-total dissolved 


Automated colourlmetric 


BM 


15423L 


Phosphorus-total 


Automated cotourimetric 


BM 


19103U 


Potassiunr>-dissolved 


Flame Emission 


BM 


11250L 


Percent Sodium 


Calculated 


BM 


0021 OL 


Saturation Index 


Calculated 


BM 


14108L 


Silica 


Automated cotourimetric 


BM 


11103L 


Sodium-dissolved 


Flame Emission 


BM 


02041 L 


Specific Conductance 


Wheatstone Bridge 


BM 


0021 1L 


Stability Index 


Calculated 


BM 


16306L 


Sulphate-dissolved 


Automated cotourimetric 


BM 


100229 


Strontiunvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


00201 L 


TDS 


Catoulated 


BM 


0206 1L 


Temperature 


Digital Thermometer 


BM 


02081 L 


Turbidity 


Nephelometry 


BM 


100230 


Vanadiunvtotal 


ICP 


BM 


100231 


Zinc-total 


ICP 


BM 


103011. 


pH 


Electrometric 


BM 



' Connputer storage and retrieval system ~ Environment Canada 



AA - Atomic Absorptton 

NFR - Nonfllterable Residue 

ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma 

IR - Infrared 

UV- Ultraviolet 

BM-Bimonthly (alternate nrxinths sampled by USGS) 



A2-8 




LEGEND: 

^ ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN 
■ ENVIRONMENT CANADA 



A 

SCALE 



10 15 Km 



SURFACE WATER QUAUTY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) 



A2-9 



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



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 


Measurement Frequency: Quarterly 


Piezometer 
Number 


Location 


Tip of Screen 
Elevation (m) 


Perforation Zone 
(depth in metres) 


52 


NW 14-1-27 W3 


738.43 


43 - 49 (in coal) 


506 


SW4-1-27W3 


748.27 


81 - 82 (In coal) 


507 


SW 6-1-26 W3 


725.27 


34 - 35 (In coal) 


509 


NW 11-1-27 W3 


725.82 


76 -77 (in coal) 


510 


NW 1-1-28 W3 


769.34 


28 - 29 (in layered 
coal and clay) 



A2-10 




lO Miles 



GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL 
DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING 



A2-11 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-POPLAR RIVER 
POWER STATION AREA 



SPG Piezometer 
Number 


Completion 
Formation 


525 


Empress 


526 


Empress 


527 


Empress 


528 


Oxidized 


539 


Empress 


540 


Empress 


737 


Empress 


739 


Empress 


740 


Empress 


741 


Empress 


743 


Empress 


746 


Mottled Till 


747 


Mottled Till 


748 


Mottled Till 


756 


Empress 



water levels measured quarterly 



SPG Piezometer 
Number 


Completion 
Formation 


739 


Empress 



samples collected annually 



A2-12 




A2-13 



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



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


529 


Empress 


532 


Empress 


533 


Empress 


534 


Oxidized Till 


535 


Empress 


536 


Empress 


537 


Empress 


538 


Empress 


542 


Empress 


653A 


Unoxidized Till 


654 


Unoxidized Till 


655A 


Unoxidized Till 


655B 


Unoxidized Till 


711 


Oxidized Till 


71 2A 


Unoxidized Till 


712B 


Intra Till Sand 


71 2C 


Mottled Till 


712D 


Oxidized till 


713 


Oxidized Till 


71 4A 


Unoxidized Till 


71 4B 


Mottled Till 


71 4C 


Oxidized Till 


71 4D 


Oxidized Till 


714E 


Empress 


715 


Oxidized Till 


716 


Oxidized Till 


717 


Oxidized Till 


718 


Mottled Till 


719 


Oxidized Till 


720 


Oxidized Till 


721 


Oxidized Till 


722 


Oxidized Till 


723 


Oxidized Till 


724 


Mottled Till 


725 


Oxidized Till 


726A 


Oxidized Till 


726B 


Mottled Till 



A2-14 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


726C 


Oxidized Till 


726E 


Empress 


727A 


Unoxidized Till 


727B 


Mottled Till 


727C 


Oxidized Till 


728A 


Oxidized Till 


728B 


Unoxidized Till 


728C 


Mottled Till 


728D 


Oxidized Till 


728E 


Empress 


731 


Empress 


732 


Empress 


733 


Empress 


734 


Empress 


742 


Empress 


745 


Oxidized Till 


749 


Mottled Till 


750 


Unoxidized Till 


751 


Unoxidized Till 


752 


Unoxidized Till 


753 


Oxidized Till 


757 


Unoxidized Till 


758 


Intra Till Sand 


763A 


Mottled Till 


763B 


Oxidized Till 


763C 


Mottled Till 


763D 


Unoxidized Till 


763E 


Empress 


764B 


Mottled Till 


764C 


Oxidized Till 


764D 


Unoxidized Till 


764E 


Empress 


765A 


Empress 


765B 


Unoxidized Till 


765C 


Oxidized Till 


765D 


Oxidized Till 


765E 


Mottled Till 


766A 


Empress 



A2-15 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


766 


Intra Till Sand 


767A 


Empress 


767B 


Unoxidized Till 


767 


Intra Till Sand 


768A 


Empress 


768B 


Unoxidized Till 


768C 


Oxidized Till 


775A 


Oxidized Till 


775C 


Unoxidized Till 


776A 


Oxidized Till 


776B 


Oxidized Till 


8678 


Oxidized Till 


867C 


Unoxidized Till 


8688 


Oxidized Till 


868C 


Unoxidized Till 


8698 


Oxidized Till 


869C 


Unoxidized Till 


870E 


Empress 


8718 


Oxidized Till 


871 C 


Unoxidized Till 


8728 


Oxidized Till 


872C 


Unoxidized Till 


873E 


Empress 


8858 


Oxidized Till 


885C 


Oxidized Till 


885D 


Unoxidized Till 


885E 


Empress 


886A 


Ash Stack 


8868 


Oxidized Till 


886C 


Oxidized Till 


886D 


Unoxidized Till 


886E 


Empress 


8878 


Oxidized Till 


887C 


Oxidized Till 


887D 


Unoxidized Till 


887E 


Empress 


8888 


Oxidized Till 


888C 


Oxidized Till 



A2-16 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


888D 


Unoxidized Till 


888E 


Empress 


889B 


Oxidized Till 


889C 


Oxidized Till 


889D 


Unoxidized Till 


889E 


Empress 


890B 


Oxidized Till 


890C 


Oxidized Till 


890D 


Unoxidized Till 


890E 


Empress 


891 B 


Oxidized Till 


891C 


Oxidized Till 


891 D 


Unoxidized Till 


891 E 


Empress 


892B 


Oxidized Till 


892C 


Oxidized Till 


892D 


Unoxidized Till 


892E 


Empress 


893B 


Oxidized Till 


893C 


Oxidized Till 


893D 


Unoxidized Till 


893E 


Empress 


894B 


Oxidized Till 


894C 


Oxidized Till 


894D 


Unoxidized Till 


894E 


Empress 


895B 


Oxidized Till 


895C 


Oxidized Till 


895D 


Unoxidized Till 


895E 


Empress 



Water levels measured quarterly 



A2.17 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- 
ASH LAGOON AREA--OUALITY 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


529 


Empress 


532 


Empress 


533 


Empress • 


534 


Oxidized Till 


538 


Empress 


653A 


Unoxidized Till 


655A 


Unoxidized Till 


71 2A 


Unoxidized Till 


712B 


Intra Till Sand 


71 2C 


Mottled Till 


712D 


Oxidized till 


713 


Oxidized Till 


71 4A 


Unoxidized Till 


71 4C 


Oxidized Till 


714D 


Oxidized Till 


714E 


Empress 


715 


Oxidized Till 


716 


Oxidized Till 


718 


Mottled Till 


719 


Oxidized Till 


726A 


Oxidized Till 


726C 


Oxidized Till 


726E 


Empress 


728A 


Oxidized Till 


728B 


Unoxidized Till 


728C 


Mottled Till 


728D 


Oxidized Till 


731 


Empress 


732 


Empress 


733 


Empress 


734 


Empress 


742 


Empress 


745 


Oxidized Till 


749 


Mottled Till 


750 


Unoxidized Till 


751 


Unoxidized Till 


752 


Unoxidized Till 


753 


Oxidized Till 



A2-18 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


757 


Unoxidized Till 


758 


Intra Till Sand 


763A 


Mottled Till 


763B 


Oxidized Till 


763D 


Unoxidized Till 


763E 


Empress 


766 


Intra Till Sand 


767 


Intra Till Sand 


775A 


Oxidized Till 


775C 


Unoxidized Till 


776A 


Oxidized Till 


776B 


Oxidized Till 


867A 


Ash Stack 


867B 


Oxidized Till 


867C 


Unoxidized Till 


868A 


Ash Stack 


8688 


Oxidized Till 


868C 


Unoxidized Till 


8698 


Oxidized Till 


869C 


Unoxidized Till 


870E 


Empress 


871A 


Ash Stack 


8718 


Oxidized Till 


871 C 


Unoxidized Till 


8728 


Oxidized Till 


872C 


Unoxidized Till 


873E 


Empress 


8858 


Oxidized Till 


885C 


Oxidized Till 


885D 


Unoxidized Till 


885E 


Empress 


886A 


Ash Stack 


8868 


Oxidized Till 


886C 


Oxidized Till 


886D 


Unoxidized Till 


886E 


Empress 


887A 


Ash Stack 


8878 


Oxidized Till 



A2-19 



GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- 
ASH LAGOON AREA-QUALITY (Continued) 



SPC Piezometer Number 


Completion Formation 


887C 


Oxidized Till 


887D 


Unoxidized Till 


887E 


Empress 


888B 


Oxidized Till 


888C 


Oxidized Till 


888D 


Unoxidized Till 


888E 


Empress 


889B 


Oxidized Till 


889C 


Oxidized Till 


889D 


Unoxidized Till 


889E 


Empress 


890A 


Ash Stack 


890B 


Oxidized Till 


890C 


Oxidized Till 


890D 


Unoxidized Till 


890E 


Empress 


891 B 


Oxidized Till 


891C 


Oxidized Till 


891D 


Unoxidized Till 


891E 


Empress 


892B 


Oxidized Till 


892C 


Oxidized Till 


892D 


Unoxidized Till 


892E 


Empress 


893A 


Ash Stack 


893B 


Oxidized Till 


893C 


Oxidized Till 


893D 


Unoxidized Till 


893E 


Empress 


894B 


Oxidized Till 


894C 


Oxidized Till 


894D 


Unoxidized Till 


894E 


Empress 


895B 


Oxidized Till 


895C 


Oxidized Till 


895D 


Unoxidized Till 


895E 


Empress 



Samples collected annually 



A2-20 




A2-21 



PARAMETERS 



Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management | 








Sampling 


ESQUADAT* 






Frequency Station 


Code 


Parameter 


Analytical method 


No.: Piezometers 


10101 


Alkalinity-tot 


Pot-Titration 


A 


13105 


Aluminum-Diss 


AA-Direct 


3" 


33104 


Arsenic-Diss 


Flameless AA 


A 


56104 


Barium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


06201 


Bicarbonates 


Calculated 


A 


06106 


Boron-Diss 


Colourimetry 


3" 


48102 


Cadmium-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


20103 


Calcium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


06301 


Carbonates 


Calculated 


A 


17203 


Chloride-Diss 


Colourimetry 


A 


24104 


Chromium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


27102 


Cobalt-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


02011 


Colour 


Comparator 


A 


02041 


Conductivity 


Conductivity Meter 


A 


29105 


Copper-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


4" 


09103 


Fluoride-Diss 


Specific Ion Electrode 


A 


26104 


Iron-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


82103 


Lead- Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 


12102 


Magnesium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


25104 


Manganese-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


80111 


Mercury-Diss 


Flameless AA 


A 


42102 


Molybdenum-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) 


A 


10301 


pH 


Electrometric 


3" 


19103 


Potassium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 


A 


34105 


Selenium-Diss 


Hydride generation 


A 


14102 


Silica-Diss 


Colourimetry 


A 


11103 


Sodium-Diss 


Flame Photometry 


A 


38101 


Strontium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


3" 


16306 


Sulphate-Diss 


Colourimetry 


3" 


10451 


TDS 


Gravimetric 


3" 


92111 


Uranium-Diss 


Fluorometry 


3" 


23104 


Vanadium-Diss 


AA-Direct 


A 


97025 


Water Level 




4 


30105 


Zinc-Diss 


AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) 


A 



No zinc or iron for Piezometers C531 to C538 

* Computer storage and retrieval system 

— Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 

** Analyze annually for these Piezometers Nos. 



SYMBOLS: AA - Atomic absorption 
A - Annually 
3 - 3 times/year 
AA - Solvent Extract (MIBK) - sample acidified and 
extracted with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone. 
4-4 times/year 



A2-22 



AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING 



Responsible Aqency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Manaqement 1 


NO. ON 
MAP 


LOCATION 


PARAMETERS 


REPORTING FREQUENCY 


1 


Coronach 
(Discontinued) 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Discontinued 






Wind speed and 
direction 


Discontinued 






Total Suspended Par- 
ticulate 


Discontinued 


2 


International 
Boundary* 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Continuous monitoring with 
hourly averages as summary sta- 
tistics. 






Total Suspended Par- 
ticulate 


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


METHODS 


Sulphur Dioxide 


Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
Colourimetric Titration, Pulsed Fluorescence 


Total Suspended Particulate 


Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 
High Volume Method 



* This station operated by SaskPower Corporation. 



A2-23 



■\ 




LEGEND: 



AMBIENT aiR OUAUTV MONITORING 



5 10 15 Km 



AMBIENT AIR QUAUTY MONITORING (CANADA) 



V. 



A2-24 



POPLAR RIVER 



COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT 



TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 



1995 



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 



r 




5 



10 15 Km 



HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



A2-27 



SURFACE-WATER QUALITY MONITORING 





ResponsibI 


e 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 


3 


06179000 


East PoDlar River near Scol>ev 


PARAMETERS || 


WATSTORE* 


SAMPLING FREQUENCY || 


Code 


Parameter 


Analytical Method 


1 


2 


3 


90410 


Alkalinity - lab 


Elect. Titration 


M 


BM 


BM 


01106 


Aluminum - diss 


AE.DC Plasma 


SA 


SA 


SA 


00610 


Ammonia -lot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00625 


Ammonia +Org N-tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01000 


Arsenic - diss 


AA, hydride 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01002 


Arsenic - lot 


AA, hydrkle 


A 


A 


A 


01010 


Beryllium - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01012 


Beryllium - lot/rec 


AA - Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


01020 


Boron - diss 


AE, DC Plasma 


M 


BM 


BM 


01025 


Cadmium - diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01027 


Cadmium - tot/rec 


AA, GF - Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00915 


Calcium 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00680 


Cartx)n - tot Org 


Wet Oxidatkxi 


SA 


SA 


SA 


00940 


Chloride - diss 


Cotorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01030 


Chromium - diss 


AE,DC Plasma 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01034 


Chromium - tot/rec 


AE. DC Plasma - Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00080 


Colour 


Eiectrometrk:, visual 


M 


BM 


BM 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


M 


D 


BM 


01040 


Copper - diss 


AA.GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01042 


Copper - tot/rec 


AA, GF -Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00061 


Discharge -inst 


Direct measurement 


M 


BM 


BM 


00950 


Fluoride 


Electrometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


01046 


Iron - diss 


AE, ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


01045 


Iron - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


01049 


Lead -diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01051 


Lead - tot/rec 


AA, GF -Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00925 


Magnesium - diss 


AA 


M 


BM 


BM 


01056 


Manganese - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01055 


Manganese - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


01065 


Nickel - diss 


AA, GF 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01067 


Nickel - tot/rec 


AA,GF- Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 


00615 


NlUite - tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00630 


Nitrate -f Nitrite - tot 


Cotorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00300 


Oxygen - diss 


Winkler/meter 


M 


BM 


BM 


70507 


Phos, Ortho - lot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00400 


pH 


Electrometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00665 


Phosphonjs - tot 


Colorimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


00935 


Potassium - diss 


AA 


M 


BM 


BM 


00931 


SAR 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


80154 


Sediment - oonc. 


Filtration -Gravimetric 


M 


BM 


BM 


80155 


Sediment - k>ad 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


01145 


Selenium - diss 


AA, hydride 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01147 


Selenium - tot 


AA, hydride 


A 


A 


A 


00955 


Silica 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00930 


Sodium 


ICP 


M 


BM 


BM 


00945 


Sulphate - diss 


Tuibimetry 


M 


BM 


BM 


70301 


Total Dissolved Solids 


Calculated 


M 


BM 


BM 


00010 


Tennp Water 


Stem TherrTX)meter 


M 


BM 


BM 


00020 


Tennp Air 


Stem Themxjmeter 


M 


BM 


BM 


00076 


Turbidity 


Nephelometric 


M 


BM 


BM 


80020 


Uranium - diss 


Spectrometry 




MC 




01090 


Zinc - diss 


ICP 


SA 


SA 


SA 


01092 


Zinc - tot/rec 


AA-Persulfate 


A 


A 


A 



SYMBOLS: D - daily: M - monthly; BM - bimonthly: MC 
graphite furnace; AA - atomic absorption; tot - total; rec 
coupled plasma 

* - Computer storage and retrieval system - USGS 



monthly composite: A - annually at high flow; SA - semi-annually at low and high How; GF, 
recoverat>le; diss - dissolved: AE - atomic emission: DC - direct current; ICP, inductively 



A2-28 




lO Miles 



SURFACE WATER QUAUTY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) 



A2-29 



GROUND-WATER QUALITY MONITORING 
Station Locations 



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 








Casing 






Map 






Diameter 




Perforation 


Number 


Well Location 


Total Depth (m) 


(cm) 


Aquifer 


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. 


00440 


Bicarbonates 


Electrometric Titration 


Sample collection is annually for all 


01020 


Boron-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


locations identified above. 


00915 


Calcium 


Emission Plasma 




00445 


Carbonates 


Electrometric Titration 


The analytical method descriptions 


00940 


Chloride 


Ion Chromatography 


are those of the Montana Bureau of 


00095 


Conductivity 


Wheatstone Bridge 


Mines and Geology Laboratory where 


01040 


Copper-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


the samples are analyzed. 


00950 


Fluoride 


Ion Chromatography 




01046 


Iron-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01049 


Lead-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01130 


Lithium-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00925 


fwlagnesium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01056 


Manganese-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01060 


Molybdenum 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00630 


Nitrate 


Ion Chromatography 




00400 


pH 


Electrometric 


1 


00935 


Potassium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 


1 


01145 


Selenium-diss 


AA 




00955 


Silica 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00930 


Sodium 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




01080 


Strontium-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




00445 


Sulphiate 


Ion Chromatography 




00190 


Zinc-diss 


Emission Plasma, ICP 




70301 


IDS 


Calculated 





SYMBOLS: AA - Atomic Absorption; 
Computer storage and retrieval system-- EPA ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit 



A2-30 




5 10 15 Kr 



GROUNDWATER QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) 



A2-31 



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



Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 


No. on Map 


Sampling 


2 to 24 


Determine water levels quarterly 



A2-32 




I I 



15 Km 
10 Miles 



GROUNDWATER 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: 

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 each year as follows: 

(1) 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 feet 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 1 2 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 31 St period is greater than 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does 
not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet), 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 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. 

(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 31 st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 ace-feet), but does 



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

A3-2 



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 
then 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 River, 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 to 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 tribu- 
taries 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 
othenwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with the uses and requirements of both 
countries. 



A3-3 



ANNEX 4 



METRIC CONVERSIONS 



A4-1 



ac 

ac-ft 
C 
cm 
cm* 
< dam' 
ft3 
ha 
hm 
hm' 
Lgpm 
in 

kg 
km 
km* 
L 
Us 
m 
m* 
m3 
. m'^ 
mm 
tonne 
U.S. gpm 



METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 
4,047 m^ = 0.04047 ha 
1,233.5 m3 = 1.2335 dam^ 
5/9(F*' - 32) 
0.3937 in. 
0.155 in* 

1,000 m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft 
28.3171 X 10-V 
10.000 m* = 2.471 ac 
100 m = 328.08 ft 
1 X 10^ m^ 
0.0758 L/s 
2.54 cm 

2.20462 lb =1.1x10"^ tons 
0.62137 miles 
0.3861 mi* 

0.3532 ft^ = 0.21997 I.gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal 
0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm 
3.2808 ft 
10.7636 ft* 

1,000 L = 35.3144 ft^ = 219.97 I.gal = 264.2 U.S. gal 
35.314 cfs 
0.00328 ft 

1,000 kg = 1.1023 ton (short) 
0.0631 IVs 



For Air Samples 

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



A4-2