1i 201 2 ANNUAL REPORT to the GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 2012 June 2013 ^ ^ Montana State Library 3 0864 1006 7190 1 Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee Department of State Washington, D.C., United States Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Governor's Office State of Montana Helena, Montana, United States Water Security Agency Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada Ladies and Gentlemen: Herein is the 3 1th Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses the Committee activities of 2012 and presents the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2013. During 2012, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the governments under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Agreement dated September 23, 1980. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July 1992, July 1997, March 2002, April 2007, and March 2012. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2017. The enclosed report summarizes current water-quality conditions and compares them to guidelines for specific parameter values that were developed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) under the 1 977 Reference from Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 2012, 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 1,230 dam3 (1,000 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during 2012. A volume of 2,180 dam3 (1,770 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered to the United States between May 1 and May 31, 2012. In addition, daily flows in 2012 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC except for June 5 and 6. During 2012, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 201 1 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. Yours sincerely, Member, Canadian Section Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/annualreporttogo2012popl TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights for 2012........... ..iii 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Committee Activities 2 2.1 Membership 2 2.2 Meetings 2 2.3 Review of Water-Quality Objectives 3 2.4 Data Exchange 4 2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities 4 3.0 Water and Air: Monitoring and Interpretations 6 3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation 6 3.2 Surface Water 6 3.2.1 Streamflow 6 3.2.2 Apportionment 7 3.2.3 Minimum Flows 8 3.2.4 On-Demand Release 9 3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality 10 3.2.5. 1 Total Dissolved Solids 1 1 3.2.5.2 Boron 14 3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives 17 3.3 Groundwater..... 19 3.3.1 Operations-Saskatchewan.............. 19 3.3.2 Ground- Water Monitoring 21 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 21 3.3.2.2 Montana 23 3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 25 3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan 25 3.3.3.2 Montana 28 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 29 3.4.1 Storage 29 3.4.2 Water Quality 31 3.5 Air Quality 32 3.6 Quality Control 32 3.6.1 Streamflow 32 3.6.2 Water Quality 32 ANNEXES 1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States Al 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical Monitoring Schedules, 2013, Canada-United States A2 3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3 4.0 Conversion Factors A4 TABLES Table 2. 1 Water-Quality Objectives 5 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2012 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary 18 Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana 21 Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells 25 Table 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 26 Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2012 29 Figure 3.1 Figure 3.2 Figure 3.3 Figure 3.4 Figure 3.5 Figure 3.6 Figure 3.7 figure 3.8 Figure 3.9 Figure 3.10 Figure 3.11 Figure 3.12 Figure 3.13 Figure 3.14 Figure 3.15 Figure 3.16 Figure 3.17 Figure 3.18 Figure 3.19 Figure 3.20 FIGURES Monthly Mean Discharge During 2012 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean Discharge from 1931-201 1 for the Poplar River at International Boundary 7 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at International Boundary 8 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9 Estimated March to October Monthly TDS Concentration During 2012 for East Poplar River at International Boundary 12 Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentrations for East Poplar River at International Boundary 12 Five-Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 13 Daily TDS Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, for East Poplar River at International Boundary 1 3 Estimated March to October Monthly Boron Concentrations During 2012 for East Poplar River at International Boundary 15 Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentrations for East Poplar River at International Boundary 15 Five-Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 16 Daily Boron Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, for East Poplar River at International Boundary 16 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary Water Supply ..19 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project 20 Hydrograph of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 22 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers 23 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers 24 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 28 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2012 and Median Daily Water Levels, 2002-201 1 30 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2012 and Median Daily Storage, 2002-201 1 31 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-2012 for Cookson Reservoir 32 ii HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012 The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-eighth full year of operation in 2012. The two 300- megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,647,928 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 84.8 percent and 83.1 percent, respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour for both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. The scheduled maintenance outage for Unit 1 and 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2012 so as not to coincide with system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods. Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2012 was exchanged in the spring of 2013. The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2012 was 10,870 dam" (8,810 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River 3 3 of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for the period June 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012, and 0.057 m3/s (2.0 ft3/s) for the period September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2012 was 0.057 m /s (2.0 ft /s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 3 1 , 201 1 . Daily flows during 2012 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the year except for June 5 and 6. In addition to the minimum flow, the IJC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on- demand release to be delivered in the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing June 1. Based on the March 1 to May 31, 2011 runoff volume of 28,510 dam" (23,110 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station, Montana was entitled to an additional release of 1,230 dam (1,000 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2011. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2012. A volume of 1,280 dam" (1,040 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. The 2012 five-year estimated flow- weighted TDS concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly five-year estimated flow-weighted concentration value in 2012 was about 817 mg/L. The 2012 five-year estimated flow- weighted boron concentrations remained well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. iii This page intentionally left blank IV 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee was authorized for an initial period of five years by the Governments of Canada and the United States under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, the Arrangement was extended in March 1987, July 1992, July 1997, March 2002, April 2007 and March 2012. The Monitoring Committee is currently extended to March 2017. A more detailed account of the historical background of the Monitoring Arrangement is contained in the 1990 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. The Committee oversees monitoring programs designed to evaluate the potential for transboundary impacts from SaskPower's (formerly Saskatchewan Power Corporation) coal-fired thermal generating station and ancillary operations near Coronach, Saskatchewan. Monitoring is conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary for quantity and quality of surface and ground water and for air quality. Participants from both countries, including Federal, State and Provincial agencies, are involved in monitoring. The Committee submits an annual report to Governments which summarizes the monitoring results, evaluates apparent trends, and compares the data to objectives or standards recommended by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to Governments, or relevant State, Provincial, or Federal standards. The Committee reports to Governments on a calendar year basis. The Committee is also responsible for drawing to the attention of Governments definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention. A responsibility of the Committee is to review the adequacy of the monitoring programs in both countries and make recommendations to Governments on the Technical Monitoring Schedules. The Schedules are updated annually for new and discontinued programs and for modifications in sampling frequencies, parameter lists, and analytical techniques of ongoing programs. The Technical Monitoring Schedules listed in the annual report (Annex 2) are given for the year 2013. The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change. 1 2.0 COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES 2.1 Membership The Committee is composed of representatives of the Governments of the United States of America and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve as local representatives for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan. During 2012, the members of the Committee included: Mr. J. Kilpatrick, U.S. Geological Survey, United States representative and Co-chair; Mr. M. Renouf, Environment Canada, Canadian representative and Co-chair; Mr. Tim Davis, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana representative; Mr. G. Adilman, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan representative; and Mr. D. Kirby, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex- officio representative. The Montana local ex-officio representative position was vacant in 2012. 2.2 Meetings The Committee met via a conference call on June 24, 2012. Delegated representatives of Governments, with the exception of the ex-officio members from Montana and Saskatchewan, participated in the meeting. In addition to Committee members, several technical advisors representing Federal, State, and Provincial agencies also participated. Committee members reviewed the operational status of the Poplar River Power Station and associated coal-mining activities; examined data collected in 2011 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 2013. 2 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 other minor revisions for clarification purposes; for example, changing the designation for pH from "natural" to "ambient". In 1999, the Committee replaced the term "discontinued" with "suspended" in Table 2.1. In 2001, the Committee suspended the monitoring of dissolved mercury and total copper. This decision was based on data indicating concentrations or levels well below or within the objectives. Current objectives approved by the Committee are listed in Table 2.1. The Committee also agreed to periodically review all parameters for which monitoring has been suspended. Another responsibility of the Committee has included an ongoing exchange of data acquired through the monitoring programs. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the agencies of the participating governments or from Committee members. 3 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 quarterly. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the beginning of the 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 2012 which warranted special reporting. 2.5 Water-Quality Monitoring Responsibilities Environment Canada has agreed to take responsibility for repairing the continuous water-quality monitor installed at the East Poplar station at the International Boundary. The continuous water-quality monitor records daily specific conductance values which are used in the computation of TDS and boron values to monitor water quality in the East Poplar River. In the absence of regular monthly water-quality samples, the Committee has agreed to utilize the data collected by the continuous water- quality monitor for its surface-water-quality monitoring program. The USGS, in cooperation with the Fort Peck Tribes, previously collected water-quality samples four times per year to supplement the daily specific conductance data collected by the continuous water- quality monitor. 4 Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives Parameter Original Objective Recommendation Current Objective Rnrnn tnfa 1 DU1UU, IXHcll 3.5/2.51 fontimip ?k Ul 1 1 11 1 UC CIO I o 3.5/2.51 TDS 1,500/1,000' r^ontiniip pi's i<\ 1,500/1,000' A li 1'ini'tii itn niQQnlvpn r\ I Ul 1 U 1 1LU 11, UlooUlVCvl 0.1 Sii^npnHpH ^ A in iti nriin iin-inm 7pH /AllllllUllla.5 Ull IUIUZjwII 0.02 PiiHmii itti trvtfil dUI II I LI 1 1 1, lUldl 0.0012 f^nntini ip ic V^VJllllllU-C Clo Ij 0.0012 \^ill U1111U.111, lAJl&l 0.05 Si ic.npn HpH * l3 UoiJWslllltsLl I™1 nt^npr H'lCQfilvPn V/UUUCl, UTooUl VCVJ 0.005 SncnpnHpH * f^nr\npr total 1 SncnpnHpfl * T-*1 li lnnrlp n i ccnlvpn riUAJiivJ.c9 uii>;>iji VCU. 1.5 f^ontinnp iq v-'UllllllU.^ do lo 1.5 Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03 [\ l\ c±\*r* 1 1 n 7 nice t~\ 1 1 7 r\ iviercury, uissoiveu 0.0002 iviercury, iisu (jug/ivg^ 0.5 CI i c t~\on /T £*/T oUopcllUCU i\ urate 10 continue as is 10 ■ iv x rrrovi /H ice 1 \ t c± r\ wxygen, uissoivcu 4.0/5.02 I lKi o 1" I \ / o o vmi lion am \ \ r Hi inn it <~\ <~~* v\ upjecuve applies oniy uuring open WcllCI 4.0/5.02 CAD Ainit^ 10 10 OlllldlC, LllooUlVCLl 800 C^UllLlllUC lo 800 7\y\c total 0.03 C^nntim ip £ic ic 0.03 VV dlCJ IC111UC1 CllLll C I V^-y 30.03 i n 1~ l t~i l ip oc ic V^UUUIIUC CIS lb 30.03 pH (units) 6.54 Continue as is 6.54 Colifonn (no./ 100 mL) Fecal 2,000 Suspended* Total 20,000 Suspended* Units in mg/L except as noted. 1 . Five-year average of flow- weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 boron, <1,000 TDS. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentration should be <3 .5 boron and <1,500 TDS. 2. 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum remainder of year - Fish Spawning). 3. Natural temperature (April 10 to May 15), <30 degree Celsius (remainder of year) 4. Less than 0.5 pH units above ambient, minimum pH=6.5. *Suspended after review of historic data found sample concentrations consistently below the objective. The Committee will periodically review status of suspended objectives. 5 3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) operates the Poplar River Power Station near the town on Coronach, Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station is comprised of two lignite- burning power generating units designated Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2. Both Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 have a maximum generating rating of 315 MW/hour and share a common 122 metres (m) (400 feet (ft)) tall stack. In 2012 both units were operated as base load units supplying the maximum production except when system constraint and outages dictated otherwise. The scheduled maintenance outages for Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were completed in the spring and fall of 2012 so as not to coincide with system peak demand periods that occur over the summer and winter periods. Between January 1 and December 31, Poplar River Power Station generated 4,647,928 gross MW of electricity. During this time approximately 3,485,352 tonnes (3,841,903 tons) of coal and 2,333 m (616,379 gallons) of fuel oil were consumed. The average capacity factors for Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 were 84.8 percent and 83.1 percent respectively. 3.2 Surface Water 3.2.1 Streamflow Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was above normal in 2012. The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 14,020 cubic decametres (dam ) (11,370 acre-feet), which was 139 percent of the 1931-2011 median seasonal flow of 10,070 dam (8,160 acre-feet). A comparison of 2012 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-201 1 median monthly mean discharge is shown in Figure 3.1. 6 Figure 3.1 Monthly Mean Discharge During 2012 as Compared with the Median Monthly Mean Discharge from 1931-2011 for the Poplar River at International Boundary. The 2012 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 4,880 damJ (3,960 acre-feet). This volume is 177 percent of the median annual flow of 2,750 dam (2,230 acre-feet) for 1976-201 1 (since the completion of Morrison Dam). 3.2.2 Apportionment In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and the United States regarding the apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although the recommendations have not been officially adopted, the Province of Saskatchewan has adhered to the apportionment recommendations. Annex 3 contains the apportionment recommendation. 7 3.2.3 Minimum Flows The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2012 was 10,870 dam3 (8,810 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.085 cubic metres per second (m /s) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ft /s)) for the period June 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012, and 0.057 m3/s (2.0 ft3/s) for the period September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. The minimum entitled flow for the period January 1 to May 31, 2012 was 0.057 m3/s (2.0 ft3/s), determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 2011. 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 2012 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC during the year except for June 5 and 6. 10.00 350 -5 C o o m W i_ 01 a, +j C» CO UL n 3 o 0) ra .c o w C C C -C £i to re ra a> 0) "?-?"? H- 4- r II) » (M (( (M tc a a S < «a: u> co di " -i —I — . — i , ~l ^ f "? ^ ^ «f *5 JS 3 325 | o >*>>>>> >»>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>» > nnnisiBnnnnnnnnnnn 2012 Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release. 9 3.2.5 Surface-Water Quality The 1981 report by the IJC to Governments recommended: For the March to October period, the maximum flow-weighted concentrations should not exceed 3.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L) for boron and 1,500 mg/L for TDS for any three consecutive months in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the March to October period, the long-term average of flow-weighted concentrations should be 2.5 mg/L or less for boron, and 1,000 mg/L or less for TDS in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. For the period prior to 1982, the three-month moving flow- weighted concentration (FWC) for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly water-quality monitoring results. In 2003, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee decided to suspend much of the water-quality sampling program until it is warranted again. All surface-water-quality sample collection by Environment Canada has been suspended at the East Poplar River boundary station. After the monthly discrete sampling program was suspended in 2003, the USGS continued to collect four discrete samples per year until 2010, when due to a lack of funding no samples were obtained. Since the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, making it possible to estimate boron and TDS concentrations using a linear regression relationship with specific conductance. Thus, the three- month FWC for boron and TDS for the period 1982 to 2002 was calculated from the results of monthly monitoring (discrete water-quality samples collected by both Canada and the United States) or from estimated monthly water-quality data based upon daily specific conductance data collected by the USGS during months when a discrete water-quality sample was not available. Since 2003, the Committee has agreed to use the continuous data collected by the specific- conductance monitor as a surrogate for the monthly water-quality sampling program. Hence, the three-month FWC for TDS and boron in 2012 were calculated using the two equations (shown later in text) and the continuous specific-conductance data collected at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary. The Bilateral Monitoring Committee adopted the approach that, for the purpose of comparison with the proposed IJC long-term objectives, the boron and TDS data are best plotted as a five-year moving FWC which is advanced one month at a time. Prior to 1988, long-term averages were calculated for a five-year period in which 2.5 years preceded and 2.5 years followed each plotted point. Beginning in 1988, the FWC was calculated from the 5 -year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 2012 is calculated from data generated over the period December 2006 to December 2012. The calculations are based on the results of samples collected throughout the year, and are not restricted to only those collected during the months bracketing the period of irrigation (March to October) each year. 10 3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids TDS is inversely related to streamflow at the East Poplar River at the International Boundary station. During periods of high runoff such as spring freshet, TDS decreases as the proportion of streamflow derived from ground water decreases. Conversely, during times of low streamflow (late summer, winter) the contribution of ground water to streamflow is proportionally greater. Because the ground water entering the river has a higher ionic strength than the surface water, the TDS of the stream increases markedly during low-flow conditions. The March to October estimated monthly TDS concentrations during 2012 for East Poplar River at the International Boundary are shown in Figure 3.4. The estimated monthly TDS concentrations during this period ranged from 634 mg/L (May) to 887 mg/L (October). Estimated daily TDS concentrations during the 2012 calendar year ranged from 588 mg/L (May 2) to 1195 mg/L (December 9-11). The three-month moving FWC for TDS for the period of 1992-2012 is presented in Figure 3.5. The short-term TDS objective has not been exceeded during the period of record. The five-year moving estimated FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective of 1,000 mg/L in 2012. The maximum monthly five-year estimated FWC in 2012 was about 817 mg/L, down significantly from values prior to May 2011. The daily TDS values, as estimated by linear regression from the daily specific-conductance readings, for the period January 1993 through December 2012 are shown in Figure 3.7. The figure shows an abrupt drop in estimated TDS corresponding to the snowmelt runoff occurring during the spring of each year. The relationship between TDS and specific conductance based upon data collected during the March to October period from 1974 to 2009 is as follows: TDS = (0.624613813 x specific conductance) + 35.1841527 (R2 = 0.89, n = 363) 11 1200 1000 800 CD E, « 600 o CO T3 i o CO T3 I O w w b To o 1000 800 600 400 200 Long-term Objective ON c ON s NO ON ON c ON ON o o — (N o q o NO o c o ON o 1600 1400 Figure 3.6: Five-Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 200 CO CO CT> ID 05 CD 00 en o o CnJ o CO o o in o CD o o 00 o en o Figure 3.7: Daily TDS Concentration (Statistically Estimated), Calendar Years 1993 to 2012, for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 13 3.2.5.2 Boron All the boron concentrations presented below were estimated using the boron equation that was developed from water-quality samples collected during the months March through October from 1 974-2003 and the daily specific conductance data collected by the specific-conductance monitor. The March to October estimated monthly boron concentrations during 2012 for East Poplar River at the International Boundary are shown in Figure 3.8. The estimated monthly boron concentrations during this period ranged from 1.20 mg/L (May) to 1.73 mg/L (October). Estimated daily boron concentrations during the 2012 calendar year ranged from 1.10 mg/L (May 2) to 2.38 mg/L (December 9-1 1 ). The 3 -month flow- weighted concentration (FWC) for boron for the period of 1993-2012 is shown in Figure 3.9. The short-term objective of 3.5 mg/L has not been exceeded during the period of record. The 5-year moving FWC for boron (Figure 3.10) remained well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L during 2012. 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. The daily boron values, as estimated by linear regression from the daily specific-conductance readings, for the period January 1993 through December 2012 are shown in Figure 3.11. The relationship between boron and specific conductance based upon March to October data collected from 1974 to 2009 is as follows: Boron = (0.0013081 x specific conductance) - 0.0677588 (R2 = 0.66, n = 363) 14 3.00 2.50 3 2.00 E c o £ 1.50 O in b 1.00 0.50 ♦ 1.39 ▲ ♦ 1.41 ♦ 1.45 1.42 1.61 1 47 4 ♦ 1.20 A 1.73 H Maximum Concentration (Statistically Estimated) ♦ Mean Monthly Specific Conductance Values (Statistically Estimated) 0.00 a Minimum Concentration (Stati stically Estimated) 4.0 -Q Q_ < >- CUD < CL Figure 3.8: Estimated March to October Monthly Boron Concentrations During 2012 for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 0) 3.5 3.0 Short-term Objective Analytically Determined from a Discrete Sample Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted Average (Statistically Estimated) Based Upon Monthly Mean Specific Conductance Values • 0.5 0.0 ON NO ON OO ON ON On O O O o NO o o oo o Figure 3.9: Discrete Sample and Three-Month Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentrations for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 15 2.5 Long-term Objective 0.5 0\ i c cd -r c cd c ON I c cd o- I a ON i C -3 O I c o o I a cd C cd CO o I c Sj o I c cd O i c cd o C ca t-- o ■ 7Z oo o ■ c cd On O i C cd Figure 3.10: Five-Year Moving Flow- Weighted Average Estimated Boron Concentration for East Poplar River atthe International Boundary (Statistically Estimated) 3.0 0.5 0.0 ON ON 1/1 ON ON ON c cd 00 ON ON ON o I c cd <— CN O O -r © c cd in *o O O r- o c cd o I c cd ON o I a cd Figure 3.11: Estimated Daily Boron Concentration, 1993-2012 for East Poplar River atthe International Boundaiy (Statistically Estimated) 16 3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Objectives Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board in 1979 to the IJC. Please note that no samples were obtained during the 2012 season so the number of samples collected for each parameter and excursions from the recommended objectives are shown as not applicable (N/A) in the table. For years when samples are obtained, 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. Multiple replicate samples collected during the annual quality control exercise are treated as a single sample in the table, but where an objective was exceeded in a replicate sample, this is charged against the single sample noted. 17 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 2012 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at International Boundary (units in mg/L, except as otherwise noted) Parameter Objective No. of Samples Excursions USA Canada Objectives recommended by IJC to Governments Boron, dissolved 3.5/2.5 (1) N/A N/A N/A Total Dissolved Solids 1,500/1,000 (1) N/A N/A N/A Objectives recommended by Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee to Governments Cadmium, total 0.0012 N/A N/A N/A Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 N/A N/A N/A Lead, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A Nitrate 10.0 N/A N/A N/A Oxygen, dissolved 4.0/5.0 (2) N/A N/A N/A Sodium adsorption ratio 10.0 N/A N/A N/A Sulphate, dissolved 800.0 N/A N/A N/A Zinc, total 0.03 N/A N/A N/A Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0 (3) N/A N/A N/A pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) N/A N/A N/A (1) Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3 5 mg/L boron and <1 ,500 mg/L TDS. Five-year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October) should be <2.5 mg/L boron and <1 ,000 mg/L TDS. (2) 5.0 (minimum April 10 to May 15), 4.0 (minimum, remainder of the year) (3) Natural temperature (April 10 to May 1 5), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of the year). (4) Less than 0 5 pH units above natural, minimum pH = 6.5 N/A - Not applicable NOTE: No samples were obtained in 2012. 18 3.3 Ground Water 3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2012 with 2,144 dam3 (1,738 acre-feet) of ground water being produced. This volume is slightly up from the 2,059 dam (1,669 acre-feet) pumped in 2011. Production from 1991 to 2012 has averaged 4,404 dam (3,570 acre- feet) per year. Prior to 1991, the well network was part of a dewatering network for coal mining operations, which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid-1980's as shown in Figure 3.12. During the 1988-1990 drought period it was evident that there was a continued need for ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently the wells were taken over by SaskPower for use as a supplementary supply. Poplar River Power Station - Supplementary Supply Figure 3.12 Annual Pumpage by the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary Water Supply SaskPower has an Approval and License for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of 5,500 dam (4,460 acre-feet). The supplementary supply well network currently consists of 21 wells with a total of 10 discharge points. No wells were added or deleted from the well field during the year. 19 In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates the Soil Salinity Project south of Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil salinity which had developed below the dam. The Soil Salinity project consists of a network of production wells discharging into the cooling water canal, which in turn discharges directly to Cookson Reservoir. Ongoing operational difficulties with the production wells resulted in a continued decline in the annual volume pumped from a high of 1,100 dam3 (892 acre-feet) in 1994 to a low point of 363 dam3 (294 acre-feet) in 2011. A well rehabilitation program resulted in some recovery in production rates with production of 812 dam3 (658 acre-feet) in 2006 but subsequent production continued to decline as shown in Figure 3.13. The total water produced from the Soil Salinity Project for 2012 was 530 dam3 (430 acre-feet), with all of the production from well PW87104 (311 dam3 (252 acre-feet)) and well PW87105 (219 dam3 (178 acre-feet)), both of which are on the east side of the Poplar River. Production since operation of this network began in 1990 has averaged 732 dam3/yr (593 acre-feet). SaskPower is planning on undertaking an engineering study of the network wells in 2013 followed by a replacement program in 2014 for wells that are no longer operational. Poplar River Power Station - Salinity Project Figure 3.13 Annual Pumpage from Soil Salinity Project 20 3.3.2 Ground-Water Monitoring Equivalent geologic formations present in Saskatchewan and Montana have different names. A list of the corresponding formation names is provided in Table 3.2. Table 3.2 Geologic Formation Name Equivalence between Saskatchewan and Montana Formation Location Geologic Formation Name Saskatchewan Eastend to Whitemud Frenchman Ravenscrag Alluvium Montana Fox Hills Hell Creek Fort Union Alluvium 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan In 2003, SaskPower reduced its monitoring network from 180 to about 85 piezometers. Saskatchewan Environment approved this reduction based on modelling studies undertaken by SaskPower. The goal of the Soil Salinity Project is to lower groundwater levels in the Empress Sands below Morrison Dam two to three metres (6.6 to 9.8 feet), which is roughly equivalent to pre-reservoir levels. Groundwater withdrawals from 1990 to 1995 ranged between 900 and 1,100 dam /year (or 730 and 892 acre-feet/year, respectively) and consequently the drawdown objectives were achieved in 1995 and 1996. Due to declining well efficiency, high reservoir levels, and increased precipitation, the water level in the Empress Sands has been increasing since 2009. The hydrographs of selected Hart Coal Seam monitoring wells near the International Boundary are shown in Figure 3.14. These hydrographs do not show any significant changes in water levels in the Hart Coal Seam near the boundary in the past 25 years. 21 Cookson Reservoir Supplementary Supply Groundwater- Monitoring I 740 2.426 J> J> J> J> Jt> # J* J> / J* J> S & & * J> J> / J> ^ A A Jf # j# & # w & •£ & w & y jT 4r ^ •/ ^ & # <^ Figure 3.14 Hydrographs of Selected Wells Completed in the Hart Coal Seam 22 3.3.2.2 Montana Hydro graphs from monitoring wells completed in the Fort Union Formation and/or the Hart Coal Seam (wells 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, and 19) exhibit two general patterns. Water levels in wells 9, 13, 17, and 19 have changed less than 5 ft (1.5 m) since the time monitoring began in 1987. Water levels generally declined between 1987 and 1992-1994; since 1994, water-level trends have been flat or slowly rising with water levels in wells 9 and 19 reaching period-of-record highs in 201 1 . Water levels in wells 13 and 17 reached period-of-record highs in 2012. Water-level hydrographs from wells 17 and 19 are shown on Figure 3.15. Offsets noted in the legend for Figure 3.15 have been applied to make the hydrographs more readable. Water-level data used to construct the hydrographs in Figure 3.15 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu. During their period of record, water levels in wells 6, 7, and 16 have changed as much as 17 ft (5.2 m) but generally declined from the beginning of monitoring in 1979 (wells 6 and 7) and 1985 (well 16) until the mid 1990s. Since then, water levels have generally risen. Water levels in well 16 reached period-of-record highs in 1985 and 2012. High water-level elevations in 201 1-2012 were related to heavy winter snow accumulation, associated snowmelt runoff, and positive departures from average annual precipitation of almost 6 in (15.2 cm) in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's northeast Montana climate station. Water-level hydrographs for wells 6 and 7 are shown on Figure 3.15. Jan 1979 Jan 1983 Jan4987 Jan-1991 Jan 1995 Jan-1999 Jan 2003 Jan-2007 Jan-201t Jan-2015 Year — Wefl 6 (GWIC 4227; *I0 ft offset Hart Coal) — e— Wefl 7 (GWIC 4267 +7 n offset Hart Coal) —a—Wen 1 7 (GWIC 4297 4 ft offset Hart Coal) Wefl t9 (GWIC 4290 -5 ft offset : Hart Coal) Figure 3.15 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Hart Coal Aquifers 23 Water levels in monitoring wells 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24, completed in alluvium and/or outwash, show seasonal change caused by climate and/or precipitation. Heavy snow accumulation and melt in early 2004 caused upward water-level response during the remainder of that year. In subsequent years water levels steadily declined returning to pre-melt 2003 elevations between 2005 (Well 23) and 2008 (Wells 5and 8). Water levels in wells 5, 8, 10, 23, and 24 peaked again in response to wet climate in 201 1 . Hydrographs from alluvium and outwash (wells 10, 23, and 24) and the Fox Hills/Hell Creek aquifer (well 11) are shown in Figure 3.16. Offsets noted in the legend have been applied to the data to make the hydrographs more readable. Measurements from wells 11 and 24 where the wellhead was noted as being frozen are not included. Water-level data used to construct the hydrographs in Figure 3.16 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu. The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills/Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 1 1 -Figure 3.16) has shown little fluctuation during the 1979-2012 monitoring period. Jan-1970 Jan-1983 Jan-1987 Jan m\ Jan-1995 Jart~1999 Jan-2003 Jan 2007 Jan-2011 Jan-2015 Figure 3.16 Hydrographs of Selected Wells - Alluvium and Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifers Above average precipitation including heavy snow accumulation and subsequent melting caused water levels to rise to near record highs in wells 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, and 24 during 201 1 and 2012. Wells 23 and 24 were flowing over their casing tops in April and July 201 1 respectively. Water levels in all wells have fallen since and most remain between 1 ft (0.3 m) and 4 ft (1.2 m) above their 2010 altitudes. Exceptions in October 2012 are well 16 where the water level was about 15 ft (4.6 m) and well 23 where the water level was about 0.5 ft (0.2 m) below their respective October 2010 measurements. — Well 1 0 (Gwc 4340; 0 ft offset AHuviunVcoal) —6— We» 23 (GWIC 124105: + 2 ft offset : Outwash) Year — B— Wefl 1 1 (GWIC 4320 +3 ft offset ; Fox Hilfs-HeB Creek) — *— Wefl 24 (GWIC 144835 -3 ft offset AHuvwm) 24 3.3.3 Ground-Water Quality 3.3.3.1 Saskatchewan The water quality from the Poplar River Power Station's Supplementary Water Supply Project discharge points has been consistent with no trends indicated. A summary of the more frequently tested parameters during 2012 is provided in Table 3.3. Result averages for the 1992-201 1 periods are also included in this table for comparison. TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells* 1992 to 20 11 Average 2012 Average T T / * j. \ pH (units) O 1 8.1 O f\ 8.0 Conductivity ((is/cm) 1283 1 1 o o 1 182 RS9 otz Total Suspended Solids 12 15 Boron 1.2 0.8 Sodium 171 135 Cyanide (|ig/L) 2 2 Iron 0.3 0.4 Manganese 0.1 0.09 Mercury (|ig/L) 0.07 0.02 Calcium 67 69 Magnesium 53 58 Sulfate 275 300 Nitrate 0.08 0.97 * All units mg/L unless otherwise noted. Samples obtained at Site "C3" on Girard Creek. Average results from the common discharge point for the Soil Salinity Project for 2012, plus an average of the 1992-2011 results are provided in Table 3.4. Results have remained relatively consistent since 1992. 25 TABLE 3.4 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe* 1992-2011 Average 2012 Average pH (units) 7.6 7.7 Conductivity (jis/cm) 1462 1679 — ■ i Total Dissolved Solids 1020 1191 Boron 1.6 1.6 Calcium 104 108 Magnesium 60 58 Sodium 159 228 Potassium 7.5 8.1 Arsenic (ug/L) 11.8 18.0 Aluminum 0.05 0.001 Barium 0.033 0.019 Cadmium 0.013 <0.001 Iron 4.1 4.1 Manganese 0.129 0.114 Molybdenum 0.013 0.001 Strontium 1.741 1.775 Vanadium 0.013 <0.001 Uranium (ug/L) 0.658 1.050 Mercury (uVL) 0.07 0.02 Sulfate 331 425 Chloride 6.7 7.4 Nitrate 0.064 0.040 * All concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted. Leachate movement through the ash lagoon liner systems can potentially affect ground-water quality in the vicinity of the ash lagoons. The piezometers listed in the Technical Monitoring Schedules are used to assess leachate movement and calculate seepage rates. Piezometric water level, boron, and chloride are the chosen indicator parameters to assess leachate movement. The chemistry of water immediately above the liner systems is expected to differ from the surface water of the lagoons. Meaningful information is only available from piezometers installed within 26 Ash Lagoon # 1 where ash has been deposited for many years. Future monitoring of all piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue in order to improve the understanding of leachate quality and flow from the ash lagoons. The piezometric surface measurements for the oxidized till continue to show the presence of a ground-water mound beneath the ash lagoons. The mound extends from the center of the Ash Lagoon No. 1 to the southeast side of Ash Lagoon No. 2. Piezometers located in the oxidized till suggest limited leachate activity. No seepage activity is evident in the unoxidized till. The greatest changes in chloride and boron concentrations within the oxidized till have occurred where piezometric levels have changed the most. Although increasing water levels do not automatically suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric levels do suggest ground-water movement. On the west side of the Polishing Pond, the boron levels have changed only slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, where the chloride levels have changed more significantly. The chloride level for C728A had decreased from 403 mg/L in 1983 to 246 mg/L in 2012. The chloride level for C728D has increased from 185 mg/L in 1983 to 349 mg/L in 2012. Although these piezometers are close in proximity and installed at the same level, they are being influenced by different water. Chloride results for C728A suggest initial seepage and it is to be expected that over time the same observation will be seen in C728D. The piezometric surface of the Empress Gravel indicates a regional flow from northwest to southeast below Morrison Dam. As a general observation, Empress piezometers respond to changing reservoir levels. Results for the Empress layer do not indicate seepage activity with the majority of the analyses showing little change in boron or chloride results. Piezometer C712B has been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels were below 1 mg/L. From 1992 to 2012, boron levels have remained relatively steady between 12 and 20 mg/L. 27 3.3.3.2 Montana Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 16, and 24 during 2012. Well 7 is completed in the Hart Coal Seam, well 1 6 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations in samples from wells 7 and 24 are about the same as they were in 2006 but have been trending higher since 2009. The 2012 sample shows that the TDS concentration in well 16 was above the concentration observed in the 2011 sample; all samples since 2009 are well above the anomalously low value observed that year, and TDS in 2012 was very near that observed in 2008. Changes in TDS with time for wells 7, 16, and 24 are shown in Figure 3.17. Water-chemistry data used to construct the graphs in Figure 3.17 can be accessed through the Montana Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database at http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu. (A 2 o m ■o o > o in J5 u re id o 800 700 600 500 400 300 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — ' — 1 — L— ■— 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — '— L— 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 — I Jan-1978 Jan-1982 Jan-1986 Jan-1990 Jan-1994 Jan-1998 Jan-2002 Jan-2006 Jan-2010 Jan-2014 Jan-2018 Date ■A— Weli 7 (GW1C4267 - Hart Coal) — e— Well 16 (GW1C4211 - Fort Union) —a— Well 24 (GWIC 144835 - Alluvium) Figure 3.17 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells. 28 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 3.4.1 Storage On January 1, 2012, Cookson Reservoir storage was 39,400 dam3 (31,940 acre-feet) or 91 % of the full supply volume. The 2012 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.5. Spring inflows into the reservoir were above median in 2012, bringing the reservoir to its full supply elevation of 753 m (2,470.47 ft) on March 19. The reservoir was at full supply level until early April before water levels started to decrease, due to limited inflows, evaporative processes, and water releases. A release of 1,384 dam (1,122 acre-feet) was made in May to meet the recommended Poplar River Basin demand release. Rainfall runoff events during early June combined with groundwater pumping brought the reservoir up 0.14 m (0.46 ft) to an elevation of 752.91 m (2,470.18 ft) on June 9. At the end of 2012, the reservoir was at 751.98 m (2,470.18 ft), or approximately 1 m (3 ft) below full supply. In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by groundwater pumping. Wells in the abandoned west block mine site supplied 2,144 dam (1,738 acre-feet) to Girard Creek. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 530 dam3 (430 acre-feet). Table 3.5 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 2012 Date Elevation (m) EkvsiM©im (ft) Contents (dam3) (acre-feet) January 1 752.47 2,468.73 39,400 31,940 April 4 (Maximum) 753.02 2,470.54 43,556 35,310 December 3 1 (Minimum) 751.98 2,467.13 35,826 29,040 December 3 1 751.98 2,467.13 35,826 29,040 Full Supply Level 753.00 2,470.47 43,410 35,190 29 The Poplar River Power Station is dependent on water from Cookson Reservoir for cooling. Power plant operation is not adversely affected until reservoir levels drop below 749.0 m (2,457.3 ft). The dead storage level for cooling water used in the generation process is 745.0 m (2,444.2 ft). The 2012 recorded levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.18 along with the 10-year median levels. Likewise, the 2012 storage and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19 along with the 10-year median levels. 754 753 752 751 (A 2 cu750 c -749 O g748 747 746 745 744 Full Supply f Level - • 1C L \ 1 (•Year Median * I4IIM ' \ZQQ2'* Lull ) mm mm2 012 IVSin tmum Desirat lie Opt •rating Level , „ .„ r ■ • Mil limum Usable t Stora ?e Levi i — " — — ~ L ■ 2475.8 2470.5 2467.2 2463.9 2460.6 2457.3 2454.1 2450.8 2447.5 2444.2 4» fa > 2440.9 Janl Jan 31 Mar 2 Apr 2 May 2 Jun 1 Jul 2 Aug 1 Aug 31 Oct 1 Oct 31 Nov 30 Dec 31 Figure 3.18 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels for 2012 and Median Daily Water Levels, 2002-2011 30 01 w *•» at £ 8 u 3 U c 00 CO w o 50000 45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 - 5000 Fu iSupp ly Levi il i i / - ----- :| r r jstf IUI*i 102-20 -i III It m 1 —2012 |; M [ • Mir limum Oesira bfe O >eratir g Lev* I - Mir limum Usab! ■ % Store el I 40535 36482 3242S 28575 24321 20268 16214 12161 81 07 0} qi u. ■ o < .£ W3 ft} t» O 4054 Jan 1 Jan 31 Mar 2 Apr 2 May 2 km 1 Jut 2 Aug 1 Aug 31 Oct 1 Oct 51 Nov 30Dec 31 Figure 3„19 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Storage for 2012 and Median Daily Storage, 2002-2011 3.4.2 Water Quality One major factor affecting the water quality of Cookson Reservoir is volume. Low reservoir volumes will decrease the water quality while high volumes will improve the water quality. The reservoir volume is controlled by two factors: inflow, which consists of spring runoff, precipitation and supplementary water supply, and losses, which consist of evaporation, water uses and apportionment releases. The period from 1987 to 1993 saw very low volumes of surface-water run-off to Cookson Reservoir. Consequently, total dissolved solids (TDS) in the reservoir increased steadily from approximately 780 mg/L to over 1,800 mg/L as shown in figure 3.20. From 1997 to 2004, the TDS levels in the reservoir generally remained below 1,000 mg/L. The TDS levels increased to 1,540 mg/L between 2005 and 2008 before significant runoff reduced the TDS levels to 1,160 mg/L in 2009. Above normal precipitation runoff volumes in June 201 1 significantly reduced the average TDS level in Cookson Reservoir to 391 mg/L with a slight increase to 694 mg/L occurring in 2012. 31 Cookson Reservoir Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids 50000 45000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 en r-- co co co co co co co co Co co ooco TO TO TO TO TO (T! f3 TO ffl tlj CJ (7 TO TO TO CI) (7 TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO •Reserwoii Volume TD3 Figure 3.20 Reservoir Volume and Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations from 1979-2012 for Cookson Reservoir 3.5 Air Quality SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 2012 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 2012 geometric mean for the high-volume suspended-particulate sampler was 12.6 (ig/m3 and 2012 was the twenty-first consecutive year of below-average standard particulate readings. 3.6 Quality Control 3.6.1 Streamflow No comparative current-meter discharge measurements were made in 2012 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary site between personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Environment Canada (EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability. 3.6.2 Water Quality No joint sampling was performed in 2012 at the East Poplar River at International Boundary due to continued suspension in the surface-water-quality sampling program by the USGS and EC. 32 ANNEX 1 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT CANADA-UNITED STATES Al-1 September 23, 1980 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT I. PURPOSE This Arrangement will provide for the exchange of data collected as described in the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules in water-quality, water quantity and air quality monitoring programs being conducted in Canada and the United States at or near the International Boundary in response to SaskPower development. This Arrangement will also provide for the dissemination of the data in each country and will assure its comparability and assist in its technical interpretation. The Arrangement will replace and expand upon the quarterly information exchange program instituted between Canada and the United States in 1976. II. PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS Governments and government agencies participating in the Arrangement are: Government of Canada: Environment Canada Government of the Province of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management Government of the United States of America: United States Geological Survey Government of the State of Montana: Executive Office III. POPLAR RIVER MONITORING COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE A binational committee called the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee will be established to carry out responsibilities assigned to it under this Arrangement. The Committee will operate in accordance with the following terms of reference: Al-3 A. Membership The Committee will be composed of four representatives, one from each of the participating Governments. It will be jointly chaired by the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States. There will be a Canadian Section and a United States Section. The participating Governments will notify each other of any changes in membership on the Committee. 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 in accordance with the attached Technical Monitoring Schedules, and its collation and technical interpretation in reports to Governments on implementation of the Arrangement. In addition, the Committee will review the existing monitoring systems to ensure their adequacy and may recommend to the Canadian and United States Governments any modifications to improve the Technical Monitoring Schedules. 1. Information Exchange Each Co-chairperson will be responsible for transmitting to his counterpart Co-chairperson on a regular, and not less than quarterly basis, the data provided by the cooperative monitoring agencies in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules. Al-4 2. Reports (a) The Committee will prepare a joint Annual Report to the participating governments, and may at any time prepare joint Special Reports. (b) Annual Reports will i) summarize the main activities of the Committee in the year under Report and the data which has been exchanged under the Arrangement; ii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any definitive changes in the monitored parameters, based on collation and technical interpretation of exchanged data (i.e. the utilization of summary, statistical and other appropriate techniques); iii) draw to the attention of the participating governments any recommendations regarding the adequacy or redundancy of any scheduled monitoring operations and any proposals regarding modifications to the Technical Monitoring Schedules, based on a continuing review of the monitoring programs including analytical methods to ensure their comparability. (c) Special Reports may, at any time, draw to the attention of participating governments definitive changes in monitored parameters which may require immediate attention. (d) Preparation of Reports Reports will be prepared following consultation with all committee members and will be signed by all Committee members. Reports will be separately forwarded by the Committee Co-chairmen to the participating governments. All annual and special reports will be so distributed. Al-5 3. Activities of Canadian and United States Sections The Canadian and United States section will be separately responsible for: (a) dissemination of information within their respective countries, and the arrangement of any discussion required with local elected officials; (b) verification that monitoring operations are being carried out in accordance with the Technical Monitoring Schedules by cooperating monitoring agencies; (c) receipt and collation of monitored data generated by the cooperating monitoring agencies in their respective countries as specified in the Technical Monitoring Schedules; (d) if necessary, drawing to the attention of the appropriate government in their respective countries any failure to comply with a scheduled monitoring function on the part of any cooperating agency under the jurisdiction of that government, and requesting that appropriate corrective action be taken. IV. PROVISION OF DATA In order to ensure that the Committee is able to carry out the terms of this Arrangement, the participating governments will use their best efforts to have cooperating monitoring agencies, in their respective jurisdictions provide on an ongoing basis all scheduled monitored data for which they are responsible. V. TERMS OF THE ARRANGEMENT The Arrangement will be effective for an initial term of five years and may be amended by agreement of the participating governments. It will be subject to review at the end of the initial term and will be renewed thereafter for as long as it is required by the participating governments. Al-6 ANNEX 2 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2013 CANADA-UNITED STATES A2-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREAMBLE A2 - 5 CANADA STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 8 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 1 0 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY A2 - 14 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - POWER STATION AREA A2 - 1 6 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA WATER LEVEL A2-18 WATER QUALITY A2 - 19 AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 22 UNITED STATES STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 26 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 28 GROUND- WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30 GROUND- WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 32 A2-3 PREAMBLE The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water-quality and air quality monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement. The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been reviewed by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any definitive changes in water quantity, water quality and air quality at the International Boundary. The Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report to Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments based on the recommendations of the Committee. Additional information has been or is being collected by agencies on both sides of the International Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional information is usually available upon request from the collecting agency and forms part of the pool of technical information which may be drawn upon by Governments for specific study purposes. Examples of additional information are water-quantity, water-quality, ground-water and air-quality data collected at points in the Poplar River basin not of direct concern to the Committee. In addition, supplemental information on parameters such as vegetation, soils, fish and waterfowl populations and aquatic vegetation has been collected on either a routine or specific-studies basis by various agencies. A2-5 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2013 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, Security Water Agency No. on Map Station No. Station Name r 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. + * Environment Canada assumed monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012. ♦ * ♦ SWA took over the monitoring responsibility effective July I, 1992. * + * * Miscellaneous measurements of outflow to be made by Security Water Agency (SWA) during periods of outflow only. A2-8 HYDRCMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-9 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Environment Canada No. on Map Station No. Station Name j 1 00SA11AE0008 Suspended East Poplar River at International Boundary Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment Data collected by: Sask Power No. on Map Station No. Station Name 2 12386 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 ~l SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-11 PARAMETERS Responsib e Agency : Environment Canada ENVIRODAT* Code Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No. 1 10151 Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Potentiometric Titration SUS j 101 1 1 Alkalinity-total Potentiometnc Titration SUS 13102 Aluminum-dissolved AA-Direct SUS 13302 Aluminum-extracted AA-Direct SUS 07540 Ammonia-total Automated Colourimetric SUS 33108 Arsenic-dissolved ICAP-hydride SUS 56001 Barium-total AA-Direct SUS 06201 Bicarbonates Calculated SUS 05211 Boron-dissolved ICAP SUS 96360 Bromoxynil Gas Chromatography SUS 48002 Cadmium-total AA Solvent Extraction SUS i 201 13 Calcium AA-Direct SUS 06104 Carbon-dissolved organic Automated IR Detection SUS ! 06901 Carbon-particulate Elemental Analyzer SUS 06002 Carbon-total organic Calculated SUS 06301 Carbonates Calculated SUS 17206 Chloride Automated Colourimetric SUS 06717 Chlorophyll a Spectrophotometric SUS 24003 Chromium-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS 27002 Cobalt-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS 36012 Colifonn-fecal Membrane Filtration SUS 36002 Coliform-total Membrane Filtration SUS 02021 Colour Comparator SUS 02041 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge SUS 06610 Cyanide Automated UV-Colourimernc SUS 09117 Fluoride-dissolved Electrometric SUS 06401 Free Carbon Dioxide Calculated SUS 10602 Hardness Calculated SUS 17811 Hexachlorobenzene Gas Chromatography SUS 08501 Hydroxide Calculated SUS 26104 Iron-dissolved AA-Direct SUS 82002 Lead-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS 12102 Magnesium AA-Direct SUS 25104 Manganese-dissolved AA-Direct SUS 07901 N-particulate Elemental Analyzer SUS 07651 N-total dissolved Automated UV Colourimetric SUS 10401 NFR Gravimetric SUS 28002 Nickel-total AA-Solvent Extraction SUS 071 10 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 i 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 i 14108 Silica Automated Colourimetric SUS 11103 Sodium Flame Emission SUS 0021 1 Stability Index Calculated SUS 16306 Sulphate Automated Colourimetric SUS 00201 TDS Calculated SUS j 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 Absorption IIV - Ultraviolet NFR - Nonfilterable Residue ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. SI'S - Suspended A2-12 PARAMETERS Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment Data Collected by: SaskPower ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analytical method Sampling Frequency Station No. 2 j 4 5 6 10151 Alkalinity-phenol Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF 10101 Alkalinity-tot Pot-Titration DIS Q DIS DIS OF 13004 Aluminum-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS 33004 Arsenic-tot Flameless AA DIS A DIS DIS 06201 Bicarbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF 05451 Boron-tot ICAP DIS Q DIS DIS W 48002 Cadmium-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS 20113 Calcium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06052 Carbon-tot Inorganic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06005 Carbon-tot Organic Infrared DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06301 Carbonates Calculated DIS Q DIS DIS OF 17203 Chloride Automated Colourimetnc DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06711 Chlorophyll- 'a' Spectrophotometry DIS Q DIS DIS 24004 Chromium-tot AA-Direct DIS A DIS DIS 36012 Coliform-fec Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF 36002 Coliform-tot Membrane filtration DIS Q DIS DIS OF 02041 Conductivity Conductivity Meter DIS Q DIS DIS W 29005 Copper-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS 09105 Fluoride Specific Ion Electrode DIS A DIS DIS 82002 Lead-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS A DIS DIS 12102 Magnesium AA-Direct DIS Q DIS DIS OF 80011 Mercury-tot Flameless- AA DIS A DIS DIS 42102 Molybdenum AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) DIS A DIS DIS 07015 N-TKN Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF 10401 NFR Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF 10501 NFR( F) Gravimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF 28002 Nickel-tot AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) DIS Q DIS DIS OF 07110 Nitrate + N02 Automated Colourimetric DIS Q DIS DIS OF 06521 Oil and Grease Pet. Ether Extraction DIS A DIS DIS 08102 Oxygen-diss Meter DIS Q DIS DIS OF 15406 Phosphorus-tot Colourimetry DIS Q DIS DIS OF 19103 Potassium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF 34005 Selenium-Ext Hydride generation DIS A DIS DIS 11103 Sodium Flame Photometry DIS Q DIS DIS OF 16306 Sulphate 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 Electromefric DIS Q DIS DIS W * Computer storage and retrieval system - Saskatchewan Environment. Symbols: W - Weekly during overflow; OF- Once during each period of overflow greater than 2 weeks' duration; Q - Quarterly; A - Annually; AA - Atomic Absorption; Pot - Potentiometric; tot - total; Pet - Petroleum; fee - fecal; diss - dissolved; EXT - extract; NFR - Nonfilterable residue; NFR(F) - Nonfilterable residue, fixed; ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; (MIBK) - sample acidified and extracted with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone; DIS - Discontinued. A2-13 GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY Responsible Agency: Security Water Agency* ; Measurement Frequency: Quarterly Piezometer Location Tip of Screen Perforation Zone Number Elevation (m) (depth in metres) 52 NW 14-1-27 W3 738.43 43-49 (in coal) 506B SW 4-1-27 W3 48.27 81-82 (in coal) 507 SW 6-1-26 W3 725.27 34 - 35 (in coal) 509 NW 1 1-1-27 W3 725.82 76-77 (in coal) 510A NW 1-1-28 W3 769.34 28-29 (in coal and clay) *Data Collected by: SaskPower A2-14 Butte 10 15 KILOMETERS -h 10 MILES Scobey 1 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2-15 GROUNDWATf POWER STA1 iR PIEZOMETER MONITORING POPLAR RIVER riON AREA-- WATER LEVELS SPC Piezometer Number Completion r ormdiion C525 bmpress C526 bmpress /if n C527 bmpress C539 bmpress C54U bmpress C737 bmpress bmpress C740 bmpress C74l bmpress L-/43 bmpress C756 Empress GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AREA- WATER QUALITY SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C526 Empress C540 Empress C741 Empress A2-16 A2-17 GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL SPC Pip7ometpr Niimher Comnletion Formation C<1 1 C^IA WXlUlZeU 1 111 C&S.A U034 1 lllAVlnl70/1 1 1 1 1 unoxiuizeu i in U / 1 1 Ilvinl7i3n 1 1 1 1 VJXIQIZCU 1 111 U. 1 1 Z/\ unoxiuizeu i in CH 1 OR / 1 Zt> Intro Till Qonrl lnira 1 in odna 1 1 ZL, \4r»t+lf»H Till iviomeu iiii / 1 ZD fivi/iiTa/i t ill uxiuizea i in CI 1 1 ■ IV 1 /"l 1 T C% /"l 1 ill u>xiaizea i in CI 1 A A U / 1 4 A unoxiaizea i in P71 4R I |nnvt/1i7an 1 'ill unoxiuizeu 1 111 C / 1 4L. 11 V 1/1 1 T £k f~l 'It 1 1 u>xiaizea 1 in P7 1 /in u>xiaizeu 1 111 P7 1 4P U- / 1 4E empress P71 ^ 1 lviHi Till wxiuizeu i in C1 1 7 U / 1 / 1 IV1/11 /» ' | ill wxiuizeo i in U 1 Z\J I ■ v i *~l t ~~f r\ 1 ill UXlQlZcQ 1 HI CI") 1 l_ 1 Z 1 ■ 1 v i r\ i t s~\ sA 1 ill uxiaizea l in P777 I lv i r\ \ "~7 a r\ I ill ujxiuizeu i in / Z j llV 1 xiaizea i in 1 ZD uxiaizeu i in \^ 1 zoo 1 I V\ V 1 /■ 1 1 ill unoxiaizea 1 111 Cllf\C u>xiuizeu 1 111 P77£F V_- / ZOL empress C728A Ov iHi7pH Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress C741 Empress C742 Empress A2-18 GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING ASH LAGOON AREA-- WATER LEVEL SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C758 Intra Till Sand C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING ASH LAGOON AREA ~ WATER QUALITY SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C533 Empress C534 Oxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till ; C711 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand C712C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized Till C713 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Unoxidized Till C714C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress C715 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C725 Oxidized Till C726B Unoxidized Till A2-19 GROUNDWATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING ASH LAGOON AREA -- WATER QUALITY SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress C728A Oxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress C741 Empress C742 Empress C758 Intra Till Sand C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress A2-20 A2-21 Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment Data Collected by: SaskPower No. On Map Location Parameters Reporting Frequency 1 Coronach (Discontinued) Sulphur Dioxide Total SikhpuHpH Particulate Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. ^4-hnnr <;amnlp^ c\r\ ^-Hnv f*vr*lp i.'r iiwuj JcuiiL/itj ul 1 \j~\Aay Lytic, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling schedule. 2 International Boundary Sulphur Dioxide Total Suspended Particulate Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics. 24-hour samples on 6-day cycle,- corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling schedule. 3 Poplar River Power Station Wind Speed and Direction Continuous monitoring with hourly averages as summary statistics METHODS Sulphur Dioxide Saskatchewan Environment Pulsed fluorescence Total Suspended Particulate Saskatchewan Environment High Volume Method A2-22 AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) A2-23 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 2013 UNITED STATES A2-25 STREAMFLOW MONITORING Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey No. on Map Station Number Station Name r 06178000 (11 AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary 2* 06178500 (11 AE003) East Poplar River at International Boundary** International gauging station. Environment Canada assumed monitoring responsibility effective March 1, 2012. 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 Station No. STATION NAME 06178000 Poplar River at International Boundary 06178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary PARAMETERS Annual Sampling Frequency Analytical Code Parameter Analytical Method Site 1 Site 2 29801 00608 01002 00025 01020 01027 00915 00940 00095 00061 00900 00950 01051 00925 00613 00631 62855 00300 00400 00671 00665 00935 0093 1 80154 70331 80155 00955 00930 00945 70301 00010 00020 01092 Alkalinity - lab Ammonia - diss Arsenic - tot Barometric pressure Boron - diss Cadmium - tot/rec Calcium - diss Chloride - diss Conductivity Discharge - inst Hardness Fluoride - diss Lead - tot/rec Magnesium - diss Nitrate - diss Nitrate + Nitrite - diss Nitrogen, total Oxygen-diss pH Phos, Ortho-diss Phosphorous - tot Potassium - diss SAR Sediment - cone. Sediment - %< 063mm Sediment - load Silica - diss Sodium - diss Sulphate - diss Total Dissolved Solids Temp Water Temp Air Zinc - tot/rec Fixed eridpoint Titration Colorimetric ICP, MS Barometer, field ICP ICP, MS ICP, AES IC Electrometric, field Direct measurement Calculated ISE ICP, MS ICP Colorimetric Colorimetric Colorimetric Oxygen membrane, field Electrometric, field Colorimetric Colorimetric ICP, AES Calculated Filtration-Gravimetric Sieve Calculated ICP, AES ICP, AES IC Calculated Stem Thermometer Stem Thermometer ICP, MS sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus sus Samples collected obtained during the monthly periods: * — March - April, May; June. July - September ** — May; June; July; August - September Abbreviations: AES - atomic emission spectroscopy; cone. - concentration, diss - dissolved; IC - ion exchange chromatography. ICP - inductively coupled plasma; ISE - ion-selective electrode; MS - mass spectroscopy ; Org - organic; phos. - phosphate; SAR - sodium adsorption ratio; SUS - sampling suspended; tot - total; tot/rec - total recoverable A2-28 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) A2-29 GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING -- Station Locations Map Number Well Location Total Depth (m) Casing Diameter (cm) Aquifer Perforation Zone (m) 7 16 24 37N47E12BBBB 37N46E3ABAB 37N48E5AB 44.1 25.5 9.6 10.2 10.2 10.2 Hart Coal Fort Union Alluvium 39-44 23-25 9.2-9.6 Parameters Moret code _ Parameter Analytical Method 0041001 106 Alkalinity Calculated 01095 Aluminum dissolved ICP or 1CP-MS 50250 Antimony dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 01005 Arsenic dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 01010 Barium dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 00440 Beryllium dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 01020 Bicarbonates Electrometric Titration 82298 Boron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01025 Bromide Ion Chromatography 00915 Cadmium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 00445 Calcium Emission Plasma 00940 Carbonates Electrometric Titration 01030 Chloride Ion Chromatography 01035 Chromium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 00095 Cobalt, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 01040 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 00950 Copper, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 09000 Fluoride Ion Chromatography 01046 Hardness Calculated 01049 Iron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01 130 Lead-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 00925 Lithium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01056 Magnesium Emission Plasma, ICP 01060 Manganese-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01065 Molybdenum Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 00630 Nickel, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 00671 Nitrate Ion Chromatography 00400 Orthophosphate Ion Chromatography 00935 pH Electrometric 00931 Potassium Emission Plasma, ICP 01145 SAR Calculated 00955 Selenium-diss ICP-MS 01075 Silica Emission Plasma, ICP-MS 00930 Silver, dissolved ICP-MS 01080 Sodium Emission Plasma. ICP 00445 Strontium-diss Emission Plasma, ICP 01057 Sulphate Ion Chromatography 01150 Thallium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 28011 Titanium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 01085 Uranium, dissolved ICP-MS 00190 Vanadium, dissoved ICP or ICP-MS 01160 Zinc-diss Emission Plasma, ICP * Zirconium, dissolved ICP or ICP-MS 70301 Sum of diss Constituents Calculated TDS Calculated Sampling Frequency Station No. Sample collection is annually for all locations identified above. The analytical method descriptions are those of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Laboratory where the samples are analyzed. SYMBOLS: ** - Computer storage and retrieval system - EPA ICP ■ cm - centimetre ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit Mass Spectrometry diss - dissolved m - metre A2-30 GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) A2-31 GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology No. on Map Montana Ground Water Information Center ID No. Sampling 5 GWIC ID 4321 Determine water levels quarterly 6 GWIC ID 4227 Determine water levels quarterly 7 GWIC ID 4267 Determine water levels quarterly \ 8 GWIC ID 4287 Determine water levels quarterly 9 GWIC ID 4274 Determine water levels quarterly 10 GWIC ID 4340 Determine water levels quarterly 11 GWIC ID 4329 Determine water levels quarterly 13 GWIC ID 4248 Determine water levels quarterly 16 GWIC ID 42 11 Determine water levels quarterly 17 GWIC ID 4297 Determine water levels quarterly 19 GWIC ID 4290 Determine water levels quarterly 22 GWIC ID 4261 Determine water levels quarterly 23 GWIC ID 124105 Determine water levels quarterly j 24 GWIC ID 144835 Determine water levels quarterly j A2-32 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL-SEAM DEWATERING A2-33 ANNEX 3 RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD, POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976) A3-1 * RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States subject to the following conditions: 1. The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all its tributaries crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States but the flow at the International Boundary in each tributary shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow. 2. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows: (a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork. (b) The delivery of water from Canada to the United States on the East Poplar River shall be determined on or about the first day of June of each year as follows: (i) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic foot per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary throughout the succeeding 12 month period commencing June 1st. In addition, a volume of 370 cubic decameters (300 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st. (ii) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period is greater than 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet), * Canada-United States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment. Poplar River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, International 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 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 31st period is greater than 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet), but does not exceed 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 3 1 st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 6 1 7 cubic decameters (500 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12 month period commencing June 1st. (iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1st to May 31st period exceeds 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acre-feet) then a continuous minimum flow of 0.085 cubic metres per second (3.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundary during the succeeding period June 1st through August 31st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1st through to May 31st of the following year. In addition, a volume of 1,230 cubic decameters (1,000 acre-feet) shall be delivered to the United States upon demand at any time during the 12-month period commencing June 1st. (c) The natural flow at the International Boundary in each of the remaining individual tributaries shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow. 3. The natural flow and division periods for apportionment purposes shall be determined, unless otherwise specified, for periods of time commensurate with the uses and requirements of both countries. A3-4 ANNEX 4 CONVERSION FACTORS A4-1 A4-2 CONVERSION FACTORS ac 4,047 m = 0.04047 ha ac-ft 1,233.5 m3 = 1.2335 dam3 c 5/9(°F-32) cm 0.3937 in. 2 cm 0.155 in2 , 3 dam 1,000 m =0.8107 ac-ft r- 3 ft 28.3171 x 10"3m3 ha 10,000 m2 = 2.471 ac hm 100 m = 328.08 ft , 3 hm 1 x 106 m3 I. gpm 0.0758 L/s in 2.54 cm kg 2.20462 lb= 1.1 x 10"3 tons km 0.62137 miles km2 0.3861 mi2 L 0.3532 ft3 = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal L/s 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I. gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm m 3.2808 ft 2 m 10.765 ft2 3 m 1,000 L = 35.3144 ft3 = 219.97 I. gal= 264.2 U.S. gal m3/s 35.314 cfs mm 0.00328 ft tonne 1,000 kg = 1.1023 ton (short) U.S. gpm 0.0631 L/s For Air Samples ppm = 100 pphm = 1000 x (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m3 A4-3