s 333.91 M26PRAR 2004 2004 ANNUAL REPORT to the GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA by the POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMIHEE COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2004 STATE BMUMOffS COLLECTION uoy 2 1 2005 ^«^ •«»^ANA STATE UBRARY October 2005 Moniana Stale Library ^jmiiii 3 0864 1003 5676 8 2004 ANNUAL REPORT to the GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN, AND MONTANA by the POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2004 October 2005 Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee Department of State Washington, D.C., United States Governor's OflBce State of Montana Helena, Montana, United States Ladies and Gentlemen: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Saskatchewan Environment R^ina, Saskatchewan, Canada Herein is the 24th Armual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This rq)ort discusses the Committee activities of 2004 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2005. During 2004, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fiilfill the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September 23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes in March 1987, July 1992, July 1997, and March 2002, the Arrangement was extended. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2007. 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 under the 1977 Reference fi-om Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 2004, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives. Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an on-demand release of 617 dam' (500 acre-feet) fi-om Cookson Reservoir in 2004. A volume of 728 dam' (590 aae-feet) was delivered to the United States during this period. In addition, daily flows in 2004 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC except for January 27 to March 25, when daily flows fell below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the charmel. During 2004, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 2003 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. One significant change that occurred in 2004 was the suspension of surface-water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River boimdary station by Environment Canada. Yours sincerely, jlL*--l~<.>sJ'^cy{f-'^ . rstiiits United States Section Chuck Bosgoed /^ : Bosgoed Member, Canadian Section r TABLE OF CONTENTS j Highlights for 2004 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 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 9 3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 10 3.2.5.2 Boron 14 3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives 17 3.3 Groundwater 19 3.3.1 Operations 19 i 3.3.2 Ground- Water Monitoring 21 * 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 22 3.3.2.2 Montana 24 3.3.3 Ground- Water Quality 26 I 3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 26 3.3.3.2 Montana 30 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 31 3.4.1 Storage 31 I 3.4.2 Water Quality 32 I 3.5 Air Quality 33 I 3.6 Quality Control 33 3.6.1 Streamflow 33 I 3.6.2 Water Quality 33 \ ANNEXES t 1.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States A 1 I 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical I Monitoring Schedules, 2005, Canada-United States A2 J 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, 2004 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18 Table 3 . 2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana .... 2 1 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 Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 27 Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2004 31 FIGURES Figure 3. 1 Discharge during 2004 as Compared with the Median Discharge from 1931-2000 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 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9 Figure 3.4 Monthly Mean TDS Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-month Monthly Conductance Data Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary ... 12 Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 12 Figure 3.6 Five- Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 13 Figure 3 . 7 Daily TDS Concentration, 1 990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary , 13 Figure 3.8 Monthly Mean Boron Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-Month Monthly Conductance Data Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary 15 Figure 3.9 Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 15 Figure 3.10 Five- Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boimdary 16 Figure 3.11 Daily Boron Concentration, 1 990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary 16 Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 19 Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Project 21 Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Ground Water Monitoring Network 23 Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Ground Water Monitoring Network 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 30 Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2004 and Median Daily Water Levels, 1994-2003 32 HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2004 The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-first full year of operation in 2004. The two 300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,557,536 gross megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity. The average capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 84.4 percent and 85.9 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MWh for both Unit No.l and Unit No. 2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the spring and fall of 2004. Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2004 was exchanged in the spring of 2005. One significant change that occurred in 2004 was the suspension of surface- water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River boundary station by Environment Canada. The recorded volimie of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2004 was 8,410 dam^ (6,820 acre-feet). Based on International Joint Commission (IJC) recom- mendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimimi discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.057 cubic metres per second (m^/s) (2.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period June 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004 and 0.028 mVs (1.0 ft^/s) for the period September 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005. The minimum flow of 0.057 mVs (2.0 ftVs) for the period January 1 to May 31, 2004 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2003. Daily flows in 2004 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC except for January 27 to March 25, 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 the United States to an on-demand release to be delivered on the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing Jime 1. Based on the runoff volume of 10,050 dam^ (8,150 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 2003, the United States was entitled to an additional release of 617 dam^ (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2003. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2004. A volume of 728 dam^ (590 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. The 2004 five-year TDS flow- weighted concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly value calculated in 2004 was about 935 mg/L, which was slightly higher than the 2003 maximum monthly value of 887 mg/L, but lower than the maximum value of 943 mg/L reported in 2002. Boron concentrations for 2004, though based upon a limited number of water-quality samples, continued to remain well below the long- term objective of 2.5 mg/L. 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 imder 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, and March 2002. The current extension expires in March 2007. A more detailed account of the historical background of the Monitoring Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Aimual 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 fi'om 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 Govermnents 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 armual report (Aimex 2) are given for the year 2005. The Conmiittee 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 Govermnents 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 2004, the members of the Committee included: Mr. R. Davis, U.S. Geological Survey, United States representative and Cochair; Mr. R. Kellow, Environment Canada, Canadian representative and Cochair; Mr. J. Stults, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. C. Bosgoed, Saskatchewan Environment, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W. Tande, Daniels Coimty Commissioner, Montana local ex-officio representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative. 2.2 Meetings The Committee met on June 16, 2004, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Delegated representatives of Governments, with the exception of the ex-officio member from Montana, attended the meeting. 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 the Poplar River Power Station and associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected in 2003 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 2005. One significant change in 2004 was the suspension of surface-water-quality sample collection at the East Poplar River station by Environment Canada. 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 flow-weighted 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 otiier 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 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 suspended parameters. 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 quarteriy 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 axmual 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 2004 which warranted special reporting. Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives Parameter Original Objective Recommendation Current Objective Boron, total 3.5/2.5' Continue as is 3.5/2.5' TDS 1,500/1,000' Continue as is 1,500/1,000' Aluminum, dissolved 0.1 Suspend* Ammonia, un-ionized 0.02 Suspend* — Cadmium, total 0.0012 Continue as is 0.0012 Chromium, total 0.05 Suspend* ... Copper, dissolved 0.005 Suspend* — Copper, total 1 Suspend* — Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 Continue as is 1.5 Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03 Mercury, dissolved 0.0002 Suspend* ... Mercury, fish (mg/kg) 0.5 Suspend* — Nitrate 10 Continue as is 10 Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0^ Objective applies only during open water 4.0/5.0^ SAR (units) 10 Continue as is 10 Sulfate, dissolved 800 Continue as is 800 Zinc, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03 Water temperature (C) 30.0^ Continue as is 30.0^ pH (units) 6.5* Continue as is 6.5* Coliform(no./100mL) Fecal 2,000 Suspend* ... Total 20,000 Suspend* — Units in mg/L except as noted. '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. ^5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning). ^Natural temperature (April 10 to May 15), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of year) ""Less than 0.5 pH units above ambient, minimum pH=6.5. ♦Suspended after review of historic data found sample concentrations consistently below the objective. The Committee will periodically review the status of suspended objectives. 3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation In 2004, the two 300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,557,536 gross megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and 2 were 84.4 percent and 85.9 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MWh for both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the spring and fall of 2004. 3.2 Surface Water 3.2.1 Streamflow Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 2004. The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 13,490 cubic decametres (dam^) (10,940 acre-feet), which was 131 percent of the 1931-2000 median seasonal flow of 10,290 dam^ (8,340 acre-feet). A comparison of 2004 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-2000 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1. Median of Monthly Mean Discharge for 1931-2000 ' Monthly Mean Discharge for 2004 Apr May Aug Sep Figure 3.1 Discharge during 2004 as Compared with the Median Discharge from 1931-2000 for the Poplar River at International Boundary. The 2004 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 3,040 dam'' (2,460 acre-feet). This volume is 103 percent of the median annual flow of 2,940 dam^ (2,380 acre-feet) for 1976-2003 (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 recommendation has not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to the apportion- ment recommendation. 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, 2004 was 8,410 dam (6,820 acre-feet). Based on UC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.057 cubic metres per second (m^/s) (2.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period Jvme 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004 and 0.028 m^/s (1.0 ftVs) for the period September 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005. The minimum flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2004 was 0.057 m^/s (2.0 ft^/s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2003. A hydrograph for the East Poplar River at International Boundary and the minimum flow as recommended by the UC are shown in Figure 3.2. Daily flows during 2004 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the UC throughout the year except for January 27 to March 25, when daily flows were below the recommended minimum due to ice conditions in the channel. No flow was observed at the international boundary during most of this period even though the recommended minimum flow was being released from Cookson Reservoir. 1 0.1 v^--^. iL v4 1 ^ 0.01 1 Apportionment recommendation for minimum flow 3.5 M 0.35 5 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 12 -month period commencing June 1. Based on the runoff volume of 10,050 dam^ (8,150 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station during the March 1 to May 31, 2003 period, Montana was entitled to an additional release of 617 dam^ (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding 12-month period commencing June 1, 2003. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2004. A volume of 728 dam^ (590 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 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 1500 mg/Lfor TDSfor 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 1000 mg/L or less for TDS in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the period prior to 1982, the 3-month moving flov^- 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 International Boundary, making it possible to derive boron and TDS concentration using a linear regression relationship v^th specific conductance. In 2003, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee decided to suspend much of the water-quality sampling program until it is warranted again. The Committee has agreed to use the daily conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor as a surrogate for the monthly water-quality sampling program. Therefore, only four water-quality samples were collected for TDS and boron by the uses in 2004. Hence, the 3-month FWC for TDS and boron in 2004 were calculated using the two established equations (shown later in text) and the daily conductance data collected by the specific- conductance monitor installed at the East Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station. The Bilateral Monitoring Conmiittee adopted the approach that, for the purpose of comparison with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the TDS and boron data are best plotted as a 5-year moving FWC which is advanced 1 month at a time. Prior to 1988, long-term averages were calculated for a 5-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 2004 is calculated from data generated over the period December 1999 to December 2004. 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. 3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids TDS is inversely related to streamflow at the East Poplar River at 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 has a higher ionic strength than the surface water entering the river, the TDS of the stream increases markedly during low-flow conditions. TDS concentrations derived from the specific- conductance monitor readings are shown in Figure 3.4. The TDS concentrations ranged from 730 mg/L on March 15 to 1,060 mg/L on May 25. The proposed short-term objective for TDS is 1,500 mg/L. 10 The 3-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of record is presented in Figure 3.5. The TDS objectives have not been exceeded during the period of record. On inspection of the plot in Figure 3.5, it is apparent that the 3 -month moving FWC increased gradually, year by year, up imtil the spring runoff of 1997, when an exceptionally heavy snowmelt contributed sufficient water of low ionic strength to the river and the reservoir to dilute the accumulated salts built up in the system. Dissolved-solids concentrations were slightly higher in 2004 relative to those recorded in 2003. In general, low spring runoff and higher contribution from ground water have kept the TDS concentrations close to the long- term objective of 1,000 mg/L. The 5-year moving FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective of 1,000 mg/L in 2004. The maximum monthly FWC in 2004 was about 935 mg/L, which is slightly higher than the 2003 maximum monthly value of 887 mg/L, but lower than the maximum value of 943 mg/L reported in 2002. The daily TDS values, as generated by linear regression from the daily specific-conductance readings, for the period January 1990 through December 2004 are shown in Figure 3.7. The data show an abrupt drop in 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 = (0.62461 x specifle conductance) + 35.184 (R^ = 0.84, n = 617) Note: The above equation was used to derive the missing TDS water-quality sample data for 2004. These derived data are used in the current annual water-quality report. 11 Figure 3.4: Monthly Mean TDS Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-Montli Montlily Conductance Data Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary 1200 1000 800 600 200 u 947 ♦ 957 ♦ 1060 ♦ 1020 » 987 ♦ 990 ♦ 945 ♦ 977 ♦1Q22 O1000 ♦ 872 ♦ 730 Water-quality samples were obtained in May, June, July, and September. Figure 3.5: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 1 1 Sh ok-Ti 1 ! rm Dbiec tlve i ! 1 1 i\ 1 jl 1 iHi; ^^i il J lJA. 1 W/l f fi V h ^ !^ ^ ^ IV ^ w ^ w 1/r fi t 1 1 1 ' 4'tf \ A, 'y / If; r II \ j i f ■;J 1 K 1 n i - - * - - Regression derived data i i 1 5-1200 w^lOOO ■g 800 600 H 400 00 0> O •>- (N CO fs. fs* CO 00 CO 00 00 05 o t- c\j CO 7- c\j CO ■* in naJcQcQaJcOflJnlalaJcocacoaJcOcQajaicaaJnJconlaJnJaJcOnjaJcoasra 12 1200 1000 i f 800 (0 S o w 1 600 o ss Q S 400 200 0 1 Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at Internationa! Boundary L( ng- Ten nO )jec live r V/— J^ y U - /- 1 r— ->. jV - rinOi-CMn'*m ^r^r^h«r^Ncocooooooooooooooocoo>050>a>a>05a5a50)0>oooooo ICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC f(fl(0(0(Q(QcdcQ(dcOcQ(OcO(0(OnJ(Q(i3CO(tf(0(Q(Q(QcOcflc3(0(0(Q(Q(0 ■}-}-3->-}-)-i-}-3-3-}-}-}-}-3-}-i->-3-3-}-}-3-}->-3-3->-}-)-}-> Figure 3.7: Daily TDS Concentration, 1990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary (regression-derived data) 1200 ° 600 200 13 3.2.5.2 Boron Similar to TDS, four water-quality samples were collected by the USGS for boron in 2004. The boron analysis is based on the daily specific-conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor and making use of the boron equation that was developed from water-quality samples collected from 1974-2002. Figure 3.8 shows that during 2004, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at International Boundary varied from 1.39 mg/L on March 15 to 2.04 mg/L on November 15. The 3-month moving 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 2004. It can be seen that the data derived from water-quality samples and that derived from regression with specific conductance are similar, with the highs and lows in some degree of correspondence. This suggest that the regression generation of boron and TDS values 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 2004 are shown in Figures 3.11. The relationship between boron and specific conductance applied to data collected from 1974 to 2002 is as follows: Boron = (0.00129 x specific conductance) - 0.04709 (R^ = 0.57, n = 617) 14 Figure 3.8: Monthly Mean Boron Concentration for 2004 Derived from Water-Quality Samples or Average Mid-Month Monthly Conductance Data Collected by Specific-Conductance Monitor at East Poplar River at International Boundary 2.20 2.00 1.80 rS, f- c 1.60 cu "S 1.40 n U) Q 1.20 1.93 ♦ 1.74 ♦ 1.70 ♦ 1.39 Water-quality samples were obtained in May, June, July, and September Figure 3.9: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary — — — — — St ort- erm Ob ecti /e — — — — i^ A — — J I I — \ * — A » — — •l ?i ^ r 11 \f / ; ^ ^ 1 ^ ^ W 'A |l? f \ r 1 < If if y 'f 1 4 \ y H ' 1 1 ' ' } J T 1 ■ ' * ! \ ■l k ii 1 , A 1 :• « \KI tr^r r.r+. f-^n^riXr^ Ar^r\-,,r^A A-ik-i vvaici ^uaiiiy aaiiipic uciivcu uaia • - - • - - Regression derived data 1 I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 3.5 0.5 •■- CM n CO o> o ■■- CiJ CO oooooboboooococoa>o)c>o0>o)a)cno>d) 00 (» O 1- CO CO (Cn3cOG3n]n](OnicOfl3(Q(i3n3(t3coa]n](\] (0 (0 CO n] CO CO (Q (0 (0 CO CO CO 15 Figure 3.10: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted Average Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary 2.5 i ^ E. c 2 S 1-5 > o D 1 0.5 0 h c I ong Terpn 0 bjeqtive J ^ ■v- — -.. ■s.- V- w. ,r^ f ^_ ^ J r f — — I Jan-75 Jan-78 Jan-77 Jan-78 Jan-79 Jan-80 Jan-81 Jan-82 Jan-83 Jan-84 Jan-85 Jan-86 Jan-87 Jan-88 Jan-89 Jan-90 Jan-91 Jan-92 Jan-93 Jan-94 Jan-95 Jan-96 Jan-97 Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 Figure 3.1 1 : Daily Boron Concentration, 1990 to 2004, East Poplar River at International Boundary (regression-derived data) 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. As the table shows, all parameters were within the appropriate objectives. ! ^ 17 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2004 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 i Boron, dissolved 3.5/2.5^ 4 0 0 Total Dissolved Solids 1,500/1,000' 4 0 0 Objectives recommended by Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments Cadmium, total 0.0012 4 0 0 Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 4 0 0 Lead, total 0.03 4 0 0 Nitrate 10.0 4 0 0 Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0^ 4 0 0 Sodium adsorption ratio 10.0 4 0 0 Sulphate, dissolved 800.0 4 0 0 Zinc, total 0.03 4 0 0 Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0^ 4 0 0 pH (pH units) 6.5^ 4 0 0 'Three-month average of flow -weighted concentrations should be <3.5 mg/L boron and <1,500 mg/L TDS flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 mg/L boron and < 1,000 mg/L TD '5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum, remainder of the year). 'Natural temperature (April 10 to May 15), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of the year). ■"Less than 0.5 pH units above nattiral, minimum pH = 6.5. . Five-year average of S. 18 3.3 Ground Water 3.3.1 Operations SaskPower's supplementary water supply project continued to operate during 2004. The supplementary water supply project 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. The majority of ground-water production in 2004 occurred during the fall to spring period. This is a typical operational pattern for the project and is done to minimize water losses. However, as in 2002 and 2003, pumping was maintained through the 2004 summer period due to low spring runoff. In 2004, ground-water production increased to 4,764 dam^ from the 2003 total of 4,489 dam^ Production from 1991 to 2004 has now averaged 4,982 dam^ per year. Prior to 1991, the wells used for supplementJiry supply were part of a dewatering network for coal-mming operations. This resulted in high production levels in the early to mid 1980's as shown in Figure 3.12. 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 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 Year Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 19 SaskPower has an approval for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of 5,500 damVyear. This approval was extended by Saskatchewan Water Corporation in 1996. Future revisions to the approval will likely include conditions requiring termination of pumping (with the exception of wells supplying domestic users) when the reservoir is above a specified level. In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project, which is located south of Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil sahnity which had developed below the dam. The salinity project consists of a network of production wells which discharge into the cooling water canal, which in turn discharges to Cookson Reservoir. Ongoing operational difficulties with the salinity wells resulted in a continued decline in the aimual volume pumped (Figure 3.13). However, a well-rehabilitation program has been initiated and as a result production in 2004 increased to 557 dam^ from the 426 dam^ pumped from the Soil Salinity Project in 2003. This volume is still substantially lower than the annual production levels obtained in the early to mid- 1 990 's when production was near its optimal level. Well PW87104, which is located on the east side of the river, provided all the production in 2003. In 2004, production was obtained from wells PW87104 and PW90108. SaskPower expects to continue with the rehabilitation program again in 2005. 20 Poplar River Power Station - Salinity Project i 700 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control 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 Geologic Formation Name Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium 21 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan In past years the ground-water response to pumping has been illustrated through a regional drawdown map prepared by SaskPower. However, the drawdown map prepared for 2003 indicated an apparent expansion had occurred in the cone of depression in the vicinity of the international boundary. Given that the 2003 withdrawals were the lowest of the previous 4 years, and one of the lowest since 1991, the apparent expansion was anomalous. This was confirmed by the absence of any significant increases in drawdown in Montana's monitoring wells (Figure 3.16). It was therefore decided to incorporate hydrographs for several monitoring wells near the border as opposed to the drawdown map. Hydrographs of these selected wells are shown in Figiires 3.14 and 3.15. While there are some anomalous data points in the hydrographs, they do clearly show that there have not been significant changes in ground- water levels in the Hart Coal Seam at the international boundary in the past 10 years. Of particular note are monitoring wells M81 1 and M507, both completed in the Hart Coal Seam, along the international boimdary. In 2004, no water-level data were obtained from these monitoring wells with the exception of M507. Therefore, water levels obtained in the spring of 2005 are included. The goal of the Salinity Control Project is to lower ground- water levels in the Empress sands below Morrison Dam to approximately pre-reservoir levels. This is equivalent to roughly 2 to 3 metres of drawdown, and was achieved by the end of 1995 and again by the end of 1996. However, reduced production over the past several years and increased recharge from higher reservoir levels and precipitation has led to a significant contraction in the project's cone of depression with the cone of depression being negligible at the end of 2003. The drawdown cone increased somewhat in 2004 as a result of increased production over 2003, but the area is still limited in extent and magnitude. 22 Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Groundwater Monitoring Network • ■ .. ■■■ immm, ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■1 ■ ■■■ ■ ■■" ■■ i IB ■■ ■ 1 ■ ■■■ " ■ , -. . 4> llj^^_ IMHMIII » ^ A ^ > • ♦♦< 4 **♦ « ♦I* « ♦ * ♦ ♦♦• ♦ • ♦ ♦♦^ ♦♦♦< g g s g Date -M811 -•-M782 -*-M510A Figure 3.14 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Ground Water Monitoring Network Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Groundwater Monitoring Network -M492A -•— MS07 -A-MSOQ Figure 3.15 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Ground Water Monitoring Netv^ork 23 3.3.2.2 Montana Water-levels in monitoring wells (6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 22) that penetrate the Fort Union Formation and/or Hart Coal Seam rose during 1997 and 1998, and then leveled off or fell between 1999 and the end of 2003. Heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused water levels to rise to near record highs in most wells during 2004. Hydrographs of selected Fort Union and Hart Coal Seam wells (6, 7, 17, and 19) are shown in Figure 3.16. Hydrographs of Selected Wells Fort Union and Hart Coal Aquifers 2465 °^ 2450 "'^^^^*^****^'^^'*^^^^ 2445 Oi O ^ CNJ CO CO CO 00 CO CO GO cocOQcotocQconJcQco ■^LOCDf^OOOOi- O3a3a>o>oooo Year (0 (0 (0 CQ -Well 6 (GWIC 4227) -a-Well 7 (GWIC 4267) -A-Well 17 (GWIC 4297) -WelM9(GWIC4290) Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Fort Union and Hart Coal Aquifers 24 The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 11) has shown very little fluctuation or change throughout the 26-year (1979-2004) monitoring period. Water levels in monitoring wells (5, 8, 10, 23, and 24) that penetrate the alluvial and/or outwash aquifer show considerable fluctuation due to seasonal change caused by climate and/or precipitation. Water levels in wells 5, 10, and 24 responded strongly to the heavy snow accumulation and runoff in early 2004. Water levels in well 8 also responded but upward movement was only about 2 ft. The water level m well 23 rose about 2 ft in response to the snowmelt but dropped back to its late 2003 levels by the end of 2004. Hydrographs of selected alluvial wells (10, 23, and 24) and the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer well (1 1) are shown in Figure 3.17. Hydrographs of Selected Wells Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 2440 2430 2425 III a 2420 « 2415 2410 °^s/s&a^ Js Gtf m ™ t^B c^a^^_^ 1^ ,^ ^^3.fls^^3a^aa 0^ [tf 3)3 c^ i^:y-^^jatb 0% ^^w/ylr^'^Vy^r'' _l I I I I I L_ 0)0'^CMW^tnQi-c\jco3!i)tor; t^opcocpopopcoopcpopopaSo)cpo>ao>aa>cpa>pcp<:pooooc^ Year -Well 10 (GWIC 4340) -b- Well 11 (GWIC 4329) -a- Well 23 (GWIC 124105) -x- Well 24 (GWIC 144835) Figure 3.17 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 25 3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan The water quality from the Supplementary Supply Project discharge points has been consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters during 2004 is provided in Table 3.3. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are currently under review and are not being reported until the accuracy of the data has been verified. Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells* . 2004 Average pH (unit) 8.2 1 Conductivity (|j,S/cm) 1,420 Total Dissolved Solids 965 Total Suspended Solids 11 Boron 1.1 Sodium 181 Cyanide (|j,g/L) <0.004 Iron 0.4 Manganese 0.1 Mercury (|j,g/L) <0.05 Calcium 58 1 Magnesium 45 Sulfate 278 1 Nitrate 0.02 •All units in mg/L, unless otherwise noted. Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek. <, less than. 26 Average water-quality results from the common discharge point for the Salinity Control Project for 2004 are provided in Table 3.4. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are currently imder review and are not being reported until the accuracy of the data has been verified. Table 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe* 2004 Average pH (units) 7.6 Conductivity (p.S/cm) 1,569 Total Dissolved Solids 1,055 Boron 1.8 1 Calcium 109 1 Magnesium 60 1 Sodium 194 1 Potassium 7.7 1 Arsenic (|ig/L) 19.9 1 Aluminum <0.1 1 Barium <0.1 1 Cadmium <0.1 1 Iron 4.4 Manganese 0.1 Molybdenum <0.1 Strontium 1.7 Vanadium <0.1 Uranium (fxg/L) <1,000 Mercury (|J,g/L) <0.01 Sulfate 394 Chloride 6.5 Nitrate <0.003 *A11 concentrations in mg/L, unless otherwise noted. <, less than. 27 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 to assess leachate movement. The ground-water monitoring program was expanded in 1994 as a result of Ash Lagoon #3 South construction. In total, 20 new pneimiatic piezometers and 28 new standpipe piezometers were completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers began in 1995. The limited data so far do not show any xmusual or imexpected values. Due to the sampling program reduction approved by Saskatchewan Environment in late 2003 several piezometers previously referenced in this report are no longer monitored. These piezometers are C867A, C868A, C871 A, C886A, C887A, C868B, C869C, and C767. Piezometers C867A, C868A and C871A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the ash stack of Ash Lagoon #L The 1995-2003 monitoring results of these piezometers suggest confirmation of the trend first observed in 1993 that the boron concentration decreases with depth within the ash stack. The effect of ash thickness on leachate quality is, however, not completely understood. The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is therefore 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. Monitoring of all piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in the future with the purpose of confirming the boron 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. The mound extends from the west side of the Polishing Pond to the east side of Ash Lagoon No. 2. Isolated ground- water mounds have developed within the area of the oxidized ground-water mound. Piezometers located in the oxidized till suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till. 28 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 indicate 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 has decreased from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 246 mg/L in 2004. The chloride level for C728D has increased from 185 mg/L in 1983 to 384 mg/L in 2004. 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 concentrations. Sand lens piezometers C712B and C766 are located the toe of dyke G between the Polishing Pond and the cooling water canal. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a preferential pathway for leachate migration of boron concentrations. C766 showed an increasing trend up to October 1988 with a peak of 43.0 mg/L in April 1995. Between 1995 and 2002, the boron concentrations decHned modestly and remained between 25 and 38 mg/L. Up to April 1988 the boron concentration for C767 was increasing and peaked at 49.4 mg/L. Since this peak, the boron concentration steadily decreased to the end of 1991 where it leveled off near 5 mg/L and remained through 2003 with one exception, a concentration of 1 1.7 mg/L in October 2000. Piezometer C712B has been monitored for several years. Historically, boron concentrations were below 1 mg/L. From 1992 to 2004, boron concentrations have remained relatively steady around between 12 and 20 mg/L. 29 3.3.3.2 Montana Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2004. Well 7 is completed in Hart Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. The TDS concentration in water from two of the three monitoring wells increased in 2004. Changes in TDS with time for wells 7, 16, and 24 are shown in Figure 3.18. Total Dissolved Solids 800 750 a> J 700 a> a I 650 I* 600 S S 550 CO 0 500 (O 1 450 o « 5 400 S 350 300 ^ \ \ \ r A \ \ D. -~a ■^ -J> N, J 1 W ^ -a. / \ /^ ^^ '^ N. ^A< \ V A-^ " -A S, --♦ ^ Z' N. 7 \ -. ' -A V A ^ ^ V. A -^ h y^ N s > ,^ ^^ / \ / \ 1 \ \ / sj V V CO o> o i- co 00 00 bo Ob 00 000>0'^OJC«J'S-incDt~~000> ooooo)o>a)o>o>o>0)0>0)0> cacacocaconjcococOfljcQcocQcococtinscccococococotacocccccc —)—3—>—>—i—>—i—i—i—l—i—l—l—i—i—>—)—3—)—>—3—>—i—>—i~i~>~i Date -»— Well 16 (GWIC4211) -a— Well 24 (GWIC 144835) -A-Well 7 (GWIC4267) Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells. 30 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 3.4.1 Storage On January 1, 2004, Cookson Reservoir storage was 31,101 dam^ or 72% of the full supply volume. The 2004 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5. Spring inflows into the reservoir were well below normal in 2004. However, heavy rains during late May and early June generated sufficient runoff to fill the reservoir. A release was initiated in May to meet the recommended Poplar River basin demand release for the 2003-2004 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 ground-water pimiping. Wells in the abandoned west block mine site supplied 4,764 dam^ to Girard Creek. It is estimated that approximately 70% of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 557 daml Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2004 Date Elevation (m) Contents (dam^) January 1 751.26 31,101 June 21 (Maximum) 752.99 43,340 January 12 (Minimum) 751.25 30,950 December 3 1 752.32 38,280 Fxill Supply Level 753.00 43,410 31 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 2004 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19. 2004 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean water Levels S 749 Fuli;Supply Level . ~ »r ^ ' / ^ — ' • — ' ■ Minimum Desired Operating Level ^Ten Year Median Level 2004 ^'"^ Minimum Useable Storage Level 1 \ \ \ 1 \ ' Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2004 and Median Daily Water Levels, 1994-2003 3.4.2 Water Quality The period from 1987 to 1993 saw very low volumes of surface-water runoff 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 runoff volumes have improved reservoir water quality. Since 1997, the TDS levels in the reservoir have generally remained below 1,000 mg/L. The average TDS level in Cookson Reservoir in 2004 was 967 mg/L, up slightly from the 2003 average level of 928 mg/L but still below past levels. 32 3.5 Air Quality SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2004 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 ambient SO2 monitor was replaced in January 2001 which has greatly improved the availability of this information. The 2004 geometric mean for the high- volume suspended-particulate sampler was 16.2 )ag/m^/24 hours and 2004 was the thirteenth consecutive year of below-average particulate readings. 3.6 Quality Control 3.6.1 Streamflow No joint current-meter discharge measurements were obtained this year by personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey and Envirormient Canada to confirm streamflow measurement comparability at the East Poplar River at International Boundary site. 3.6.2 Water Quality Quality-control sampling was not carried out at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to suspension in collection of surface-water-quality samples by Environment Canada this year. 33 ANNEX 1 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT CANADA-UNITED STATES Al- 1 Al-2 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. 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 fulfil the purpose of the Arrangement by ensuring the exchange of monitored data m 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 Amiual Report to the participating governments, and may at any time prepare joint Special Reports. (b) Armual 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 defmitive 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 aimual 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 COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2005 CANADA-UNITED STATES A2-1 A2-2 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 A2-4 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 Govenmients 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 A2-6 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2005 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 10 15 KILOMETERS HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-9 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Environment Canada No. on Map Station No. Station Name 1 OOSAllAEOOOS 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 Discontinued East Poplar River at Culvert immediately below Cookson Reservoir 3 12368 Cookson Reservoir near Dam 4 12377 Discontinued Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 5 12412 Discontinued Girard Creek at Coronach, Reservoir Outflow 6 7904 Fife Lake Outflow ♦Sampled only when outflow occurs for a 2-week period, which does not occur every year. A2-10 LEGEND A SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ■ ENVIRONMENT CANADA SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-11 PARAMETERS Responsibl^Agency^mivirDni^^ ENVIRODAT* Code Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No. 1 lOlSl Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Potentiometric Titration SUS 10111 Alkalinity-total Potentiometric Titration SUS 13102 Aluminum-dissolved AA-Direct SUS 13302 Aluminum-extracted AA-Direct SUS 07540 Ammonia-total Automated Colourimetric SUS 33108 Arsenic-dissolved ICAP-hydride SUS 56001 Barium-total AA-Direct SUS 06201 Bicarbo nates Calculated SUS 05211 Boron-dissolved ICAP SUS 96360 Bromoxynil Gas Chromatography SUS 48002 Cadmium-total AA Solvent Extraction SUS 20103 Calcium AA-DiiEct 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 270O2 Cobalt-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS 36012 Coliform-fecal Membrane Fihration SUS 36002 Coliform-total Membrane Filtration SUS 02021 Colour Comparator SUS 02041 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge SUS 06610 Cyanide Automated UV-Colourimetric SUS 09117 Ruoride-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 11103 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 ~ Environment Canada AA - Atomic Absoiption UV - Ultraviolet NFR - Nonfilterable Residue 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 4 5 LaJ 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 Rameless AA DIS A DIS DIS 06201 Bicarbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF 05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS Q DIS DIS W 48002 Cadmium-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS 20103 Calcium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic In&ared 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 Flame less- 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 + NOi 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 Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF 19103 Potassium name Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF 34005 Selenium-Ext Hydride generation DIS A DIS DIS 11103 Sodium Hame 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; (f^lBK) - sample acidified and extracted with IVIethyl Isobutyl Ketone; DIS - Discontinued. A2-13 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Watershed Authority* Measurement Frequency: Quarterly Piezometer Number Location Tip of Screen Elevation (m) Perforation Zone (depth in metres) 52 507 NW 14-1-27 W3 SW 6-1-26 W3 738.43 725.27 43-49 (in coal) 34 - 35 (in coal) Data Collected by: SaskPower A2-14 5 10 15 KILOMETERS -i r-l L GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2- 15 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AREA SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C525 Empress C526 Empress C527 Empress C540 Empress C739 Empress C740 Empress C741 Empress C743 Empress Water levels measured quarterly SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C739 Empress Samples collected quarterly A2- 16 POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION MONITORING LOCATIONS DECEMBER 2004 Ash Lagoons LEGEND A EMPRESS -6- SURFACE LOCATION A2-17 1 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING— ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C533 Empress C534 Oxidized Till C653A Unoxidized 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 1 C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress C728A Oxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress C741 C742 Empress C758 Intra Till Sand || A2-li GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MO^^TORING— ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763C Mottled Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress Water levels measured quarterly with the following exceptions: Two times per year - C715, C725, C741, C742, C758 Three times per year - C763E GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING— ASH LAGOON AREA - WATER QUALITY SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C533 Empress C534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C71I 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 A2-19 GROUND-WATER PffiZOMETER MONITORING— ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till C726B Unoxidized Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress C728A Oxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress C741 C742 Empress C758 Intra Till Sand C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress 11 A2-20 Ui o 1 » s si ■ » i« if 55 2 J- 5.S S g 1 g- S E ;;; \ S3 r'^ — ^lliii \ MN0.1 OWER ST ITORING ER 2004 5 "^ 2 H K -s s 1 1 S a i ^ ■^-^ 5 E 1 ^ 1 DIAGRA LAR RIVER P OONS-MON DECEMB tgLUQUJW cno2 \ // D 2 .s; ^2 "'*"**''-.....^ /^-"'''^ ^^^^--. Q. U \ 1^ V / 1 O < a. -J \ 1 1 / c X /"\ 0\ a C/} / W. " - < / ■ II 1 X>nI g J Si 1 / \ A ^ M J= \ CO ^^ a y < / o 2 d Z J t ' '^ CO c: o "^^ % / w d ■z. o o o en x: \ ^ ( i?// / O) < Cr' V s> 1 1 1 cu X T^ ^-^*. - 0 / / / ^ 7 '^// / _J B § J t^ / // / < D 5 J /-^fT S / // / rj /// ^SJSL ^^ ( " "■// //^X ^^ X -?. / — ^ ' /•■ / X y ^— / rN .--■^ S-f V! ^ / / 1 / r '^ o / / 1 j o G / // //: 2 c o f // / c o L / ° i O) \ 5»/ S-*- J3 ^^ 1 H i x: y^ ) \ l\a < < ^•^^^,^— '^ f ) 1 1^^ S "-< / J / / " / S 5 ^ ri- / / / ° // / °" ~ ^ / i. 5 B / / / en d ■z. c o o 1 -1 Cl -I ■S M O) ^ y^ 3 ^ Jj ~ ^ yy^ 5 3 .III JZ. in < s- _g *x= 1 < § Kp; P!K — § C O) ■g = "5 E Q- to 1 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 Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. Total Suspended Particulate 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling schedule. 2 International Boundary Sulphur Dioxide Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. Total Suspended Particulate 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 \ . ^. "^Lake M \ -o ^^2 \r^^ Rockglen • * ^~S1^/ \l ^^-T"^, ^^^ Coronach \ 1 \ \ \ A \ ■ Cookson \__^ /""^^ \^ \''-it _ ^L^ Reservoir . ) ^^-<>^\ ^ CANADA V^^ ^"\1 i, 2 JT UNITED STATES ^^^^-^ i^V-,^;;-^. ^s ^-""^ C^ /-"^ \ X / — ^^^_,— £'""' \\ Scobey 0 5 10 1 ' ' 15 KILOMETERS 1 1 1 1 0 5 10 MILES AMBIENT AIR-QUAUTY MONITORING (CANADA) A2-23 A2-24 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2005 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 HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) A2-27 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING " Station Locations Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey | No. On Map USGS StaUon No. STATION NAME 1 06178000 Poplar River at International Boundary 2 06178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary PARAMETERS Annual Sampling Frequency 1 Analytical Code Parameter Analytical Method Site 1' Site 2" 29801 Alkalinity - lab Fixed endpoint Titration 4 4 00625 Ammonia +Org N-tot Colorimetric 4 4 00608 Ammonia - diss Colorimetric 4 4 01000 Arsenic - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01002 Arsenic - tot AA.GF 4 4 01005 Barium - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01007 Barium - total ICP, MS 4 4 00025 Barometric pressure Barometer, field 4 4 01020 Boron - diss ICP 4 4 01025 Cadmium - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01027 Cadmmm - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 00915 Calcium - diss ICP 4 4 00940 Chloride - diss IC 4 4 01030 Chromium - diss AA,GF 4 4 01034 Chromium - tot/rec AA,GF 4 4 00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 4 4 01040 Copper - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01042 Copper - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 00061 Discharge - inst Direct measurement 4 4 00950 Fluoride - diss ISE 4 4 01046 Iron - diss ICP 4 4 01045 Iron - tot/rec ICP 4 4 01049 Lead - diss ICP 4 4 01051 Lead - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 00925 Magnesium - diss ICP 4 4 01056 Manganese - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01055 Manganese - tot/rec ICP, MS 4 4 01065 Nickel - diss ICP, MS 4 4 71900 Mercury - diss CVAF 4 4 71890 Mercury - tot/rec CVAF 4 4 01067 Nickel - diss ICP, MS 4 4 00613 Nitrite - 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 Colorimetric 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 01145 Selenium - diss ICP, MS 4 4 01147 Selenium tot ICP, MS 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 01090 Zinc - diss ICP, MS 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 spectrography ; Org - organic; phos. - phosphate; tot - total; tot/rec - total recoverable A2-28 0 5 10 15 KILOMETERS I ' — H h SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) A2-29 GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 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 Paramete rs Storet ** Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No. Code 00440 Bicarbonates Electrometric Titration Sample collection is annually for 01020 Boron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP all 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 00950 Ruoride Ion Chromatography the samples are analyzed. 01046 Iron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01049 Lead-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01130 Lithium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 00925 Magnesium Emission Plasma, ICP 01056 Manganese-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01060 Molybdenum Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 00630 Nitrate Ion Chromatography 00400 pH Electrometric 00935 Potassiiun Emission Plasma, ICP 00931 SAR Calculated 01145 Selenium-diss ICP-MS 00955 Silica Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 00930 Sodium Emission Plasma, ICP 01080 Strontium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 00445 Sulphate Ion Chromatography 00190 Zinc-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 70301 TDS Calculated SYMBOLS: *♦ - Computer storage and retrieval system - EPA cm - centimetres diss - dissolved ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry m - metres A2-30 I .. , ■^' \ y^jt^ \ -4 ^ Rockglen • ^ ^^\^<^ \. . \\ ~~~~X^' ^~^ Coronach) | V- \ \ A \ n \. ■ CooLion \ \ X^ y^"s\ \ \ C ^^fc Reservoir ) \ * — ^^"''''*''^^ ^»v ^^V ^^^L j 1 x4V^ \ / W CANADA V^^ ^^"-vX^ A 24 \ 1 ^^u; ^V.,-;^^^-^. ..^ ""i'y " y' UNITED STATES y, — X^_ Biine —.^2^ \\ Scobey 0 5 10 1 1 1 15 KILOMETERS 1 1 ; 1 1 0 5 10 MILES GROUND-WATER-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 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,16,17,19,22,23,24 Determine water levels quarterly A2-32 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2-33 A2-34 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 A3-2 ♦RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States subject to the following conditions: The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all its tributaries crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States but the flow at the International Boundary in each tributary shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows: (a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork. (b) The delivery of water from Canada to the United States on the East Poplar River shall be determined on or about the first day of June of each year as follows: (i) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 acre- feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st. (ii) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet), Canada-United 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. A3-3 then a continuous minimum flow of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the hitemational Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 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 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. A3-4 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. A3-5 A3-6 ANNEX 4 CONVERSION FACTORS A4-1