s 333.91 M26prar 1999 1999 ANNUAL REPORT to the GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION MAY 2 3 2001 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA. MONTANA 59620 by the POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE 'opiar COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1999 November 2000 3 0864 0015 6017 9 1999 ANNUAL REPORT to the GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, SASKATCHEWAN, AND MONTANA by the POPLAR RIVER BILATERAL MONITORING COMMITTEE COVERING CALENDAR YEAR 1999 November, 2000 Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee Department of State Washington, D.C., United States Governor's Office State of Montana Helena, Montana, United States Ladies and Gentlemen: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Herein is the 19"" Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. This report discusses the Committee activities of 1999 and presents the proposed schedule for the year 2000. During 1999, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee continued to fulfil 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, and July 1997, the Arrangement was extended. The current extension expires in March 2002. 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 from Canada and the United States. After evaluation of the monitoring information for 1999, the Committee finds that the measured conditions meet the recommended objectives. The Committee notes that the flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solids in streamflow in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary remains close to the long-term objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per litre, but did not exceed the objective in 1 999. The Committee after discussing and reviewing the Water-Quality Objectives agreed to suspend monitoring and reporting of several parameters since they were no longer considered of concern. The parameters affected are: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total and dissolved chromium, mercury in fish, and fecal and total coliform. Based on IJC recommendations, the United States was entitled to an On-Demand release of 370 dam^ (300 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir in 1 999. A volume of 1 , 200 dam^ (989 acre-feet) was delivered to the United States during this period. In addition, except for a few days in July and August, daily flows in 1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC. During 1999, monitoring continued in accordance with Technical Monitoring Schedules outlined in the 1992 Annual Report of the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee. Yours sincerely, Robert Davis Chairman, United States Section J^icStults Member, United States Section Richard Kellow Chairman, Canadian Section Chuck Bosgoed Member, Canadian Section TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights for 1999 iii 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Committee Activities 2 2. 1 Memberships 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 East Poplar River 6 3.2.1 Streamflow 6 3.2.2 Apportionment 7 3.2.3 Minimum Flows 7 3.2.4 On-Demand Release 8 3.2.5 Water Quality 9 3.2.5.1 Total Dissolved Solids 10 3.2.5.2 Boron 14 3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables 17 3.3 Ground Water 19 3.3.1 Operations 19 3.3.2 Ground- Water Levels 21 ^'' 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 21 3.3.2.2 Montana 23 3.3.3 Ground- Water Quality 26 3.3.3. 1 Saskatchewan 26 3.3.3.2 Montana 30 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 31 3.4.1 Storage 31 3.4.2 Water Quality 33 3.5 Air Quality 33 3.6 Quality Control 33 3.6.1 Streamflow 33 3.6.2 Water-Quality 34 ANNEXES 1 .0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Canada-United States Al 2.0 Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement, Technical Monitoring Schedules, 1 999, Canada-United States A2 3.0 Recommended Flow Apportionment in the Poplar River Basin A3 4.0 Metric Conversions A4 TABLES Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives 5 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1999 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 18 Table 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek 26 Table 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Soil Salinity Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe 27 Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1999 31 Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for July 19,1999 34 Table 3.6 East Poplar Water-Quality Measurement Results for August 24, 1999 35 FIGURES Figure 3 . 1 Discharge during 1 999 Compared with the Median Discharge for 1 96 1 - 1 990 for the Poplar River at the International Boundary 6 Figure 3.2 Flow Hydrograph of the East Poplar River at the International Boundary 8 Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release 9 Figure 3.4 TDS Concentrations for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at the International Boundary 1 1 Figure 3.5 Three-Month Moving, Flow- Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 1 1 Figure 3.6 Five- Year Moving, Flow- Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 13 Figure 3.7 Daily TDS Concentration, 1982 to 1999, East Poplar River at the International Boundary 13 Figure 3.8 Boron Concentrations for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at the International Boundary 15 Figure 3.9 Three-Month Moving, Flow- Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 15 Figure 3.10 Five- Year Moving, Flow- Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 16 Figure 3.11 Daily Boron Concentration, 1982 to 1999 East Poplar River at the International Boundary 16 Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 19 Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Projects 20 Figure 3.14 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1999 22 Figure 3.15 Cone of Depression in the Empress Sands Due to the Salinity Projects as of December 1999 23 Figure 3.16 Hydrographs of Selected Wells: Fort Union-Hart Coal Aquifers 24 Figure 3.17 Hydrographs of Selected Wells: Alluvium and Fox Hills Aquifers 25 Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells 30 Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1 999 and Mean Daily Monthly Water Levels for 1981-1991 32 -u HIGHLIGHTS FOR 1999 The Poplar River Power Station completed its sixteenth full year of operation in 1999. The two 300- megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,185,100 gross megawatt hours of electricity. The average capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 was 88.6 percent and 81.1 percent, respectively. The capacity factor is based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MW/h for Unit #1, and 310 MW/h for Unit #2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the fall and spring of 1 999. Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 1 999 was exchanged in the spring of 2000. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters met the requirements identified in the 1 999 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1 998 annual report. In 1999, the Committee also inifiated the Cookson Reservoir Study to investigate the potential salinity problems associated with the Reservoir and its impact in the East Poplar River flows downstream. The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 1999 was 35,440 dam^ (28, 730 acre-feet). Based on IJC recommendafions and the assumpfion 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 , 1 999 to August 3 1 , 1999 and 0.057 mVs (2.0 ft^ /s) for the period of September 1, 1999 to May 31, 2000. The minimum flow of 0.028 mVs ( 1 .0 ft^ /s) for the period January 1 to May 31,1 999 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 3 1 , 1998. Except for few days in July and August, daily flows in 1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC. 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 June 1 . Based on the runoff volume of 4,420 dam^ (3,580 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 1998, the United States was entitled to an additional release of 370 dam^ (300 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve month period commencing June 1, 1998. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 1999. A volume of 1 , 220 dam^ (989 acre-feet) was delivered during this period. The 1999 five-year total dissolved solids (TDS) flow- weighted concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1 ,000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly value calculated in 1 999 was just under 989 mg/L. The gradual increase in five-year flow-weighted concentrations for TDS is due to insufficient surface runoff over the long term, which has not allowed for sufficient flushing of Cookson Reservoir. Boron concentrations for 1999 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 under the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement dated September 23, 1 980. A copy of the Arrangement is attached to this report as Annex 1. Through exchange of Diplomatic Notes, on March 12, 1987, July 1992, and July 18, 1997, the Arrangement was extended. The current extension expires in March 2002. 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 forthcoming year. The Committee will continue to review and propose changes to the Technical Monitoring Schedules as information requirements change. 2.0 COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES 2.1 Membership The Committee is composed of representatives of the Governments of the United States of America and Canada, the State Government of Montana, and the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan. In addition to the representatives of Governments, two ex-officio members serve as local representatives for the State of Montana and Province of Saskatchewan. During 1999, 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 and Resource Management, Saskatchewan representative; Mr. C.W. Tande, Daniels County Commissioner, Montana local ex- officio representative; and Mr. J.R. Totten, Reeve, R.M. of Hart Butte, Saskatchewan local ex-officio representative. 2.2 Meetings The Committee met on August 3"* and 4"", 1999, in Helena, Montana. Delegated representatives of Governments, with the exception of the two ex-officio members from Montana and Saskatchewan, 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 Power Plant and associated coal mining activities; examined data collected in 1 998 including surface-water quality and quantity, ground- water quality and quantity, and air quality; established the Technical Monitoring Schedules for the year 2000; discussed proposed changes in water-quality objectives and the possibility of replacing the flow-weighting method currently used to compute total dissolved solids and boron. The Committee also prepared the first draft of the 1998 annual Report to Governments. 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 1 99 1 , the Committee undertook a review of water-quality objectives. The Committee approved changes in water-quality objectives recommended by the 1 99 1 subcommittee which was formed to review the objectives. Revised objectives approved by the Committee are listed in Table 2.1. The Committee discussed the water-quality objectives for 5-year and 3-month flow-weighted concentrations for total dissolved solids and boron. Although the Committee agreed that calculation procedures to determine flow- weighted concentrations are time consuming and probably scientifically questionable, no consensus was reached on alternative objectives or procedures. Some of the discussions and decisions that were made at this meeting include: Suspending most of the parameters that were recommended for discontinuance back in 1991 such as dissolved aluminum, bacteria, pH, mercury in fish, and un-ionized ammonia. Canada has expressed concern about the need for the flow- weighted boron and TDS objectives given the uncertainty of the scientific validity of how the objectives are calculated. According to the IJC report titled, "Water-Quality in the Poplar River Basin", the Committee can "recommend new and revised objectives as appropriate". After a lengthy discussion, members agreed not to remove any objectives at this time. Instead, the Committee decided to suspend the monitoring and reporting of several parameters after reviewing the water-quality objectives. The suspended parameters are: dissolved aluminum, un-ionized ammonia, total chromium, mercury in fish, fecal coliform, and total coliform. In addition, the Committee agreed there was a need to review the flow- weighted objectives for Boron and TDS. The Committee also agreed to other minor revisions to the water-quality objectives for clarification. For example, changing the designation for pH from "natural" to "ambient". Another responsibility of the Committee has included an ongoing exchange of data acquired through the monitoring programs. Exchanged data and reports are available for public viewing at the agencies of the participating governments or from Committee members. 2.4 Data Exchange The Committee is responsible for assuring exchange of data between governments. The exchange of monitoring information was initiated in the first quarter of 1981 and was an expansion of the informal quarterly exchange program initiated between the United States and Canada in 1 976. Until 1 991 , data were exchanged on a quarterly basis. At the request of the Committee, the United States and Canada agreed to replace the quarterly exchange of data with an annual exchange effective at the beginning of the 1 992 calendar year. Henceforth, data will be exchanged once each year as soon after the end of the calendar year as possible. However, unusual conditions or anomalous information will be reported and exchanged whenever warranted. No unusual conditions occurred during 1 999 which warranted special reporting. Table 2.1 Water-Quality Objectives PARAMETER PRESENT OBJECTIVE RECOMMENDATION NEW OBJECTIVE Boron - total 3.5/2.5' Continue as is — re-evaluate To be determined IDS 1500/1000' Continue as is ~ re-evaluate To be determined 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 Continue as is 1 Fluoride, dissolved 1.5 Continue as is 1.5 Lead, total 0.03 Continue as is 0.03 Mercury, dissolved 0.0002 Change to total 0.0002 Mercury, fish (mg/kg) 0.5 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 6.5^ Coliform(no./100ml) Fecal 2000 Suspend* Total 20000 Suspend* 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 <1500 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. ''The term "Discontinue " in Table 2. 1 was replaced with "Suspend" as discussed by the Committee in 1999. 3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 3.1 Poplar River Power Station Operation In 1999, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 88.6 percent. The average capacity factor for Unit No. 2 was 81.1 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generation rating of 305.0 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 310.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated from both units was 4, 1 85, 100 gross megawatt-hours. There were no construction projects undertaken during 1999. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the fall and spring of 1 999. 3.2 East Poplar River 3.2.1 Streamflow Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was well above normal in 1999 due to near-record level snowpack in the region. The March to October recorded flow of the Poplar River at International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, was 38,010 cubic decametres (dam^) (30,830 acre-feet), which was 377 percent of the 1 93 1 to 1 990 median seasonal flow. A comparison of 1 999 monthly mean discharge with the 1931-90 median discharge is shown in Figure 3.1. • O--- Med Ian ofMonthly Mean Discharge for 1931-90 -O— Monthly Mean Discharge for 1999 . 400 T3 . 350 § o o> 300 « o a. 250 g u. o 200 3 o 150 .E o D) 100 s JZ o 50 -^ —6 0 OCT Figure 3.1 Discharge during 1999 as Compared with the Median Discharge from 1931-1990 for the Poplar River at International Boundary. The 1 999 recorded flow volume of the East Poplar River at International Boundary was 26,990 dam^ (21,880 acre-feet). This volume is 906 percent of the median annual flow since the completion of Morrison Dam in 1975. 3.2.2 Apportionment In 1976 the International Souris-Red Rivers Engineering Board, through its Poplar River Task Force, completed an investigation and made a recommendation to the Governments of Canada and the United States regarding the apportionment of waters of the Poplar River basin. Although not officially adopted by the two countries, the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has adhered to the Apportionment Recommendations in each of its annual reports. Annex 3 contains the apportionment recommendation. 3.2.3 Minimum Flows The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31,1 999 was 35,440 dam^ (28,730 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 (mVs) (3.0 cubic feet per second (ftVs)) for the period June I, 1999 to August 31, 1999 and 0.057 mVs (2.0 ftVs) for the period September 1, 1999 to May 31, 2000. The minimum flow 0.028 mVs (1.0 ftVs) for the period January 1 to May 31, 1999 had previously been determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 1998. 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 1999 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended by the IJC throughout the year except for July 27 to August 8, August 14-18, and August 21 -26 when daily flows fell slightly below the recommended minimum. 10 0.1 0.01 1 V\,- .. .w>-V^^ SJ«'V\^^ ^^^ -V •r--^.,.y^^ Apportionment recommendation for minimum flow >■>•>• c c -s rs ooia.Q.tjti 5 «• '« s s •k 6 . <^ T- CM »- CM 1999 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 I JC apportionment recommendation entitles Montana to an on- demand release to be delivered on the East Poplar River during the twelve-month period commencing June 1 . Based on the runoff volume of 4,420 dam^ (3,580 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station during the March 1 to May 31.1 998 period, Montana was entitled to an additional release of 370 dam^ (300 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the succeeding twelve month period commencing June 1 , 1 998. Montana requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 1999. A volume of 1,220 dam^ (989 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. 1400 1200 1120 960 - On-Demand Release Delivery -On-Demand Ftelease Request 800 uj 1999 Figure 3.3 Cumulative Volume Hydrograph of On-Demand Release. 3.2.5 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 2.5 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, three-month moving flow-weighted concentration (FWC) for boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) was calculated solely from monthly monitoring results. Since the beginning of 1982, the USGS has monitored specific conductance daily in the East Poplar River at the International boundary, making it possible to derive boron and TDS concentration using a linear regression relationship with specific conductance. Thus, the three-month FWC for boron and TDS for the period 1 982 to 1 999 was calculated from both the results of monthly monitoring (grab samples collected by both Canada and the USA) and the statistical analysis of daily specific conductance readings collected by the USGS. 10 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 F WC 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 five year period preceding each plotted point. For example, the FWC for December 1999 is calculated from data generated over the period December 1993 to December 1999. 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 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 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 grab-sample data collected by Environment Canada and the USGS in 1999 are shown in Figure 3.4. The TDS ranged from 570 mg/L on March 30 to 1 040 mg/L on December 20. The proposed short- term objective for TDS is 1500 mg/L. A time plot of the three-month moving FWC for TDS is presented in Figure 3.5. 11 Figure 3.4: TDS Concentration for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at the International Boundary 1200 "a 1000 o 996 #968 800 600 400 200 ♦ 951 ♦ 808 ♦ 904 ^874 "♦555^ ♦ 1Q2Q it 1040 ♦ b'/O ♦ 615 ♦ 691 CO & ♦ 788 Figure 3.5: Three-Month Moving Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary UOO n 11 % .f i b ( r . 1 ^ • t «. .1 m r f>i i. tl 1 ^ii;;j!^drii'rMJ'^i:jid^'dii^iiU ? w ouu % u 9 'h V If y ^ 400 1 1, r 1 1 1 200 1 II dat 3 i 1 0 — 1^1,1 -^ —J D D D D O O ? ? ? OOOODODOO OD 00 (O u> u> u> 00 ro u (O (O (O 12 The total dissolved solids objective has not been exceeded during the period of record. On inspection of the plot, it is apparent that the three- month moving FWC has been increasing gradually, year by year, up until the spring runoff of 1 997, 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 declined slightly in 1998 and remained lower in 1999. The five-year moving FWC for TDS (Figure 3.6) did not exceed the long-term objective of 1000 mg/L in 1 999. The maximum monthly value calculated in 1 999 was just under 989 mg/L, which is less than the previous year maximum monthly value of 1014 mg/L. The daily TDS values, as generated by linear regression from the daily specific conductance readings from 1989 to 1 999 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 applied to data collected from 1975 to 1999 is as follows: TDS = (0.626 X specific conductance) + 31.542 (R^ = 0.85, n = 555) 13 Figure 3,6: Five-Year Moving Flow-Weighted TDS Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) o o o o o c 3 O O O O O C 5 > i r ^ \- / r / 1— — c J : 1 si sl [^1 sl s| §1 sl g| s| s| s| g| fe| §1 §1 §1 sl al g| s| s 1 $1 fe| §1 §! ^ 3 > Figure 3.7; Daily TDS Concentration, 1989 to 1999; East Poplar River at the International Boundary (regression-derived data) Dec-89 Dec-90 Dec-91 Dec-92 Dec-93 Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 14 3.2.5.2 Boron Figure 3.8 shows that during 1999, boron concentrations in the East Poplar River at the International Boundary varied from 0.90 (March 30 and May 18) to 1.86 mg/L (December 20). The three-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 1999. It can be seen that the data derived from grab samples and that derived from regression with specific conductance are similar, with the highs and lows in some degree of correspondence. This suggests 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 five-year moving FWC for boron displayed in Figure 3.10 remained well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. From mid-1993 to the end of the data period there is a distinct drop in the computed boron concentrations. It is apparent that TDS is better-correlated with specific conductance than is boron. 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) in ground water discharge may be greater than that of the major cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and anions (sulphate, bicarbonate, and chloride) around their respective long-term mean concentrations. Daily boron concentrations for the period December 1988 to December 1999 are shown in Figure 3.11. The relationship between boron and specific conductance at the East Poplar River sampling location during the period 1975 to 1999 is described by the equation: boron = (0.0013 x specific conductance) - 0.034 (R^ = 0.58, n = 555) 15 Figure 3.8: Boron Concentration for 1999 Grab Samples from East Poplar River at the International Boundary 2.2 1.8 i ♦ 1.74 ♦ 1.75 ♦ i«i ♦i.a < ► 1 .86 1.6 f& -joo«> 16 2 n 1.8 1 n ■ Figure 3. 1 0: Five- Year Moving Flow-Weighted Boron Concentration for East Poplar River at the International Boundary 1^ -y-j ^ ~i I 0 1 -^ — '''- v_ -^_ 5 I* f 1.2 o ^ 1 ■D 1 °-^ 1 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 ■ r J (^ K^ -V J ^ 1 — . 1 . ^ 1^ ™ f:i? t^J? r-i? t^i? 00.^ coW mw oo™ 5Jo toJ? mJ« Si? SJ« S™ o5i5 o™ SJ^ cni^ mjo mJ? o>« S™ o>.^ S , i • Figure 3. 1 1 : Daily Boron Concentration, 1 989 to 1 999; East Poplar River at the International Boundary (regression-derived data) 3.00 2.50 0.00 Dec-88 Dec-89 Dec-90 Dec-91 Dec-92 Dec-93 Dec-94 Dec-95 Dec-96 Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 17 3.2.5.3 Other Water-Quality Variables Table 3.1 contains the multipurpose water-quality objectives for the East Poplar River at the International Boundary, recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality Board to the IJC. The table shows the number of samples collected for each parameter and the number of times over the course of the year that the objectives were exceeded. In the table, multiple replicate samples collected during the annual quality control exercise are treated as a single sample, but where an objective was exceeded in a replicate sample, this is charged against the single sample noted. As the table shows, all parameters were within the appropriate objectives, with the exception of dissolved oxygen which exceeded the objective once in January. Dissolved-oxygen concentration can be low during winter as a result of ice cover and during low-flow conditions in summer as a result of biological activity. 18 Table 3.1 Recommended Water-Quality Objectives and Excursions, 1999 Sampling Program, East Poplar River at the 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) 6 7 0 Total Dissolved Solids 1500/1000(1) 6 7 0 Fig3.5&3.6 Objectives recommended by Poplar River Board to the IJC Ammonia unionized (as N) 0.2 6 7 0 Cadmium - total 0.0012 2 7 0 Copper - total 1.0 2 7 0 Fluoride - dissolved 1-5 6 7 0 Lead - total 0.03 2 7 0 Mercury - total 0.0002 1 7 0 Nitrate (as N) 10.0 6 7 0 Oxygen - dissolved 4.0/5.0 (2) 6 7 1 Sodium absorption ratio 10.0 6 0 0 Sulphate - dissolved 800.0 6 7 0 Zinc - total 0.03 1 7 0 Water temperature (Celsius) 30.0(3) 6 7 0 pH (pH units) 6.5 (4) 6 7 0 1. Three-month average of flow-weighted concentrations should be <3.5 mg/L boron and <1500 mg/L TDS. Five -year average of flow-weighted concentrations (March to October should be <2.5 mg/L boron and < 1000 mg/L TDS. 2. 5.0 (minimum April lOtoMay 15), 4.0 (minimum, remainder of the year) 3. Natural temperature (April 1 0 to May 1 5), <30 degrees Celsius (remainder of the year) 4. Less than 0.5 pH units above natural, minimum pH = 6.5 19 3.3 Ground-water 3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 1999, with the majority of ground- water production occurring during the fall to spring period. This is a typical operational pattern for the project and is done to minimize water losses. Limited production occurs during the summer months in order to supply domestic users, including the Town of Coronach. In 1999, the project produced a total of 4,410 cubic decameters (dam^) of ground water. This is lower than the 1998 production of 5,006 dam-' and the average 1991 to 1999 production rate of 5,279 dam^ per year. Prior to 1990 the wells used for the supplementary supply were part of a dewatering network for coal mining operations, which resulted in the high production levels experienced in the early to mid 1 980's. With the drought of the late 1980's and early 1990's it was evident that there was a continued need for ground water to supplement water levels in Cookson Reservoir. Consequently the wells were taken over by SaskPower for use as a supplementary supply. Figure 3.12 shows the historical pumpage volume since 1976. Poplar River Power Station Supplementary Supply 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 Year Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 20 SaskPower has an approval for the supplementary supply project to produce an annual volume of 5,500 damVyear. This approval was extended by Sask Water 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. Sask Water is currently undertaking a hydrology study to determine the best reservoir level for a ground-water pumping cutoff. SaskPower's supplementary supply well network currently consists of 21 wells with a total of 10 discharge points. No wells were added to or deleted from the well field during the year. In addition to the supplementary supply, SaskPower also operates what is known as the Soil Salinity Project, which is located south of Morrison Dam. The project was initiated in 1989 to alleviate soil salinity 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. Operation of the salinity project continued in 1999 with production of 881.1 dam^ of ground water. This was above the 1998 production level of 767.2 dam\ and slightly below the project's average annual production of 910 damVyear from inception of the project in 1990 to 1998. Approximately 7 1 % of the total volume pumped came from wells P W87 1 03 and P W87 1 04 which are located on the east side of the river and most of the remainder (29%) was produced from PW90109 on the west side of the river. Figure 3.13 shows the pumpage volume from the Salinity Control Project. Poplar River Power Station Salinity Project 1^ 19B7 1^ Figure 3.13 Pumpage from Salinity Control Project 21 3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan In 1996 nineteen new piezometers were installed in the Hart Coal Seam and a further eighteen piezometers from the Frenchmen aquifer testing program were added to the supplementary supply monitoring network that year. With these extensive additions, no new piezometers have been added to the monitoring network since that time. Currently, about 1 80 piezometers are monitored as part of this project. Figure 3.14 shows the December 1999 drawdowns of the Hart Coal Seam. There were no significant changes in the magnitude and extent of drawdowns from previous years. The one meter drawdown contour currently remains about two kilometers north of international boundary. There have not been significant changes in the cone of depression for the past several years suggesting that the system has approached a semi-equilibrium condition. However, minor drawdown fluctuations in response to climatic and production variations can be expected. The goal of the Salinity Project is to lower ground-water levels in the Empress Sands below Morrison Dam to approximately pre-reservoir levels. This is equivalent to roughly two to three metres of drawdown, and was achieved by the end of 1995 and again by the end of 1996. However, reduced production over the past four years and increased recharge from higher reservoir levels and precipitation have led to a significant contraction in the project's cone of depression. One-meter drawdown cones are now restricted to the area around PW87103 and PW87104 on the east side of the river and the immediate vicinity of PW90 1 09 on the west side. Figure 3.15 shows the December 1 999 drawdowns. Increased salinity in the project area has resulted in questions as to whether the current project design is sufficient to control salinity. SaskPower conducted a study of the salinity project which has provided recommendations for a long-term solution for the operation of the project. SaskPower expects to provide a recommended course of action in 2000. contour intervals in meters Figure 3.14 Drawdown for Hart Seam Aquifer as of December 1999 24 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 were rising during 1 997 and 1 998, and have leveled off or dropped slightly during 1 999. Hydrographs of selected Fort Union/Hart Coal wells (6, 7, 1 7, and 1 9) are shown in Figure 3.16. Hydrograph of Selected Wells Fort Union - Hart Coal Aquifers ?2460 ::'2458 g 2456 •2 2454 cd I 2452 I 2450 CO -g 2448 Hi I 2446 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 =Km A..t. 1 1 1 f^^ % 1 1 ^5^ 1 1 1 ^* 1 ^'^^ F W4 1^ Z Ul 1 1 1 Vlcl ^ 1 1 J^ 1 1 h p- 7-. '"vfv,^ ^"\i 1 1 ^J\ ^ a^n: 1 • 1 1 1 1 1 v[£5C 2aU1 V " f^ \\\ t ^4. 1 rl ' *\' \ S-v V r ' 1 T£7g " ^ -m "[/■J ^liX; N/, 1 J\ -^ 1 '' 1 1 l^^t r^'% 1 1 1 1 1 tar ^ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17 19 Jan-79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan-03 Date Figure 3.16 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Fort Union-Hart Coal Aquifers 25 The potentiometric surface in the Fox Hills / Hell Creek artesian aquifer (well 1 1 ) has shown very little fluctuation or change throughout the 21 year (1979-1999) 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 and / or pumping changes; however, they rose during the period 1996 to 1998 and leveled off during 1999. Hydrographs of selected alluvial wells (10, 23, and 24) and Fox Hills well (1 1) are shown in Figure 3.17. OA'XA Hydrograph of Selected Wells Alluvium and Fox Hills Aquifers |2432- 1 2430 - 1 2428 \ |2426- fe 2424- |2422- i2420- 6 1 1 1 A 10 11 23 24 -03 \ r^ -^^ 1 f*M vi V '^ -^|'V w ^ ■^ 1 f 1 A l\ 1 1 1 w \ /|. /\ \\ 1 1 1 1 1 1 h A ' k l| 1 1 1 \\ ^ k\ r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 h /( ' % 1 ••1 ipt. 1 1 1 1 j<^ 1' fi '[I vJv, I'" V ^W Vr T*! V r» ij^ 7 » 1 1 1 1 ^ 1 ~^ ^ ATv L \ r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 .J 1 Z^ 1 0 ^ Jan -79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan Date Figure 3.17 Hydrograph of Selected Wells - Aliuvium and Fox Hills Aquifers 26 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 1999 is provided in Table 3.2. Statistical averages of the results since 1992 are included in this table. TABLE 3.2 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Supplementary Water Supply Project Wells* 1992 to 1999 Average 1999 Average pH (units) 7.5 7.2 Conductivity (ms/cm) 1417 1427 Total Dissolved Solids 971 998 Total Suspended Solids 2.1 6.4 Boron 1.6 1.8 Sodium 184 195 Cyanide (ug/L) <2 <2 Iron 0.6 0.6 Manganese 0.2 0.2 Mercury (ug/L) <0.1 <0.1 Calcium 82 84 Magnesium 52 52 Sulfate 240 222 Nitrate 0.22 0.367 All units mg/L unless otherwise noted. * Sampled at Site "C3" on Girard Creek. 27 The water quality of the common discharge point from the Salinity Control Project wells is generally better than the water quality in Cookson Reservoir. The TDS concentration was larger at the discharge point than in the reservoir in 1999. Average results from the common discharge point for 1999, and the average of the 1992-1999 results are provided in Table 3.3. Results have remained relatively consistent since 1992. TABLE 3.3 Water-Quality Statistics for Water Pumped from Salinity Control Project Wells Sampled at the Discharge Pipe* 1992-1999 Average 1999 Average pH (units) 7.4 7.4 Conductivity (ms/cm) 1418 1428 Total Dissolved Solids 976 1016 Boron 1.6 1.6 Calcium 103 114 Magnesium 60 66 Sodium 148 142 Potassium 7.4 7.4 Arsenic (ug/L) 6.8 0.2 Aluminum 0.07 0.04 Barium 0.03 0.02 Cadmium <0.001 <0.001 Iron 4.2 3.8 Manganese 0.14 0.13 Molybdenum 0.002 0.005 Strontium 1.9 1.7 Vanadium 0.003 0.01 Uranium (ug/L) <0.1 0.1 Mercury (ug/L) 0.12 N/A Sulfate 318 329 Chloride 6.0 6.7 Nitrate 0.13 <0.003 *A11 concentrations are mg/L unless otherwise noted. 28 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 1 994 as a result of Ash Lagoon #3 South construction. In total, 20 new pneumatic piezometers and 28 new standpipe piezometers were completed within their target zones. Testing of these piezometers began in 1 995. The limited data so far do not show any unusual or unexpected values. Piezometers C867A, C868A and C87 1 A are completed immediately above the liner system, within the ash stack of Ash Lagoon # 1 . The 1 999 monitoring results continue to 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 chemistry of surface water in the lagoons. Meaningfiil information is only available from piezometers installed within Ash Lagoon #1 where ash has been deposited for many years. New piezometers C886A, C887A, C890A and C893A have been completed above the liner system of new Ash Lagoon #3 south and are now being monitored. Future monitoring of all piezometers completed above the lagoon liner systems will continue 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 moimd. 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 levels do not automatically suggest that the water affecting the piezometers is leachate, changing piezometric levels do suggest 29 ground-water movement. Oxidized till piezometers C868B and C869B located in the middle of the lagoons, between Ash Lagoon No.l and No. 2, have shown increased levels but no chemical information to suggest leachate influence. On the west side of the polishing pond, the boron levels have changed slightly in the oxidized till piezometers C728A and C728D, which is in sharp contrast to the chloride results. The chloride level for C728A has decreased from 403 mg/1 in 1983 to 247 mg/1 in 1999, a decrease of 156 mg/1. The chloride level for C728D has increased, moving from 185 mg/1 in 1983 to 421 mg/1 in 1 999. 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 gravels 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 obvious seepage activity with the majority of the analyses showing little real change in boron or chloride results. Sand lens piezometers C712B, C766 and C767 are located between the polishing pond and the cooling water canal. C767 is located on the top of dyke G and C766 and C712B are located at the toe of dyke G. These piezometers have historically been of interest as the sand lens provides a preferential pathway for leachate migration of boron concentrations. C766 shows an increasing trend up to October 1988 with a peak of 43.0 mg/1 in 1995 April. Since that time the boron levels have declined modestly and have remained stable between 25 to 35 mg/1. Up to April 1 988 the boron concentration for C767 was increasing and peaked at 49.4 mg/1. Since this peak, the boron concentration steadily decreased to the end of 1991 where the concentration levelled off near 5 mg/1 and has since remained. Piezometer C712B had been monitored for several years. Historically, boron levels have been below 1 mg/1. From 1992 to 1999 boron levels have remained steady around 20 mg/1. Up to 1992 April the boron trends for C712B and C766 looked very similar. 30 The total calculated seepage from the ash lagoons in 1999 was determined to be 1 .70 litres per second. There has been little change in the individual seepage rate, or the vertical and horizontal components that make up the total seepage rates, from 1 992. This was expected because there has been little change in the operating levels of the lagoons over the last several years. 3.3.3.2 Montana Samples were collected from monitoring wells 7, 1 6, and 24 during 1 999. Well 7 is completed in Hart Coal, well 16 is completed in the Fort Union Formation, and well 24 is completed in alluvium. No significant changes in TDS were observed in monitoring well 16. The TDS in the Hart Coal (well 7) and the alluvial aquifer (well 24), however, increased about 100 mg/L during the years 1996 through 1998, but decreased about 50-70 mg/L during 1999. Graphs of total dissolved solids for selected wells are shown in Figure 3.18. pnn Total Dissolved Solids ouu 700- ^600- ^ 500- 400- 1 1 1 1 -03 T \ 1 1 1 1 1 \ 1 1 \r ^ \ 1 IV 1 1 • ■^ J, H • \ 1 --ff -▼ -^ N, ] i^ \ 1 1 1 1 1 ^▼i ^ r- "i^ ^ r-H \ 1 ^ -1 \f tT ^ \ 1 y/ \ l\ ^ 1 1 4 )i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Jan -79 Jan-82 Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan Date -•- GWQQC07 -▼- GWQQC16 -•- GWQQC24 Figure 3.18 Total Dissolved Solids in Samples from Montana Wells. 31 3.4 Cookson Reservoir 3.4.1 Storage On January 1 , 1 999, Cookson Reservoir storage was 37 690 dam^ or 85% of the full supply volume. The 1999 maximum, minimum, and period elevations and volumes are shown in Table 3.4. The reservoir filled above its Full Supply Level (FSL) in late March. Inflows into the reservoir maintained levels slightly above FSL throughout the spring and early summer time period. The spring spill from the reservoir was adequate to meet the recommended Polar River basin demand release for the 1998-1999 apportionment year. A small release was required from the reservoir during late summer, to help ensure Saskatchewan maintained the flows at the international boundary near the recommended apportionment target flow. In addition to runoff, reservoir levels were augmented by ground-water pumping. Wells in the abandoned west block mine site supplied 4,410 dam^ to Girard Creek in 1999. It is estimated that less than 70% of this flow volume reached Cookson Reservoir. Wells in the soil salinity project area supplied 88 1 dam^ in 1999. Table 3.4 Cookson Reservoir Storage Statistics for 1999 Date Elevation (m) Contents (dam^) January 1 (Minimum) 752.24 37 690 March 27 (Maximum) 753.39 46 590 December 3 1 752.30 38 130 Full Supply Level 753.00 43 410 32 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 1 999 recorded water levels and associated operating levels are shown in Figure 3.19. 1999 Cookson Reservoir Daily Mean Water Levels Elevation in Meters 755 753 751 749 747 745 743 741 Contents in Cubic Decammeters t Full Supply Level 1 999 Recorded ..^- Median Level Minimum Desired Operating Level Minimum Useable Storage Level 29400 19100 11400 5860 2000 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Figure 3.19 Cookson Reservoir Mean Daily Water Levels for 1999 and Median Monthly Water levels 1981-1991 33 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 about 780 mg/1 to over 1800 mg/1. Since 1993, higher than normal runoff volumes have markedly improved reservoir water quality. Reservoir TDS levels have generally been less than 1000 mg/1 since 1997. The average TDS in Cookson Reservoir in 1999 was 683 mg/1, the lowest it has been in over 10 years. 3.5 Air Quality SaskPower's ambient SO2 monitoring for 1999 recorded no violations of SERM's hourly and 24-hour average standards at 0.17 and 0.06 ppm, respectively. Readings from the ambient sulfur dioxide monitor continue to be infrequent and of insignificant magnitude. The 1999 geometric mean for the high- volume suspended particulate sampler was 1 7.7 [ig/m^ and this is the seventh consecutive year of below average particulate readings. 3.6 Quality Control 3.6.1 Streamflow Current-meter discharge measurements were made at the East Poplar River at International Boundary site on July 1 9, 1 999 by personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Environment Canada (EC) to confirm streamflow measurement comparability. Data from the two current-meter discharge measurements are shown in Table 3.5 . The measured discharges were nearly identical and also compared very well with the theoretical discharge computation of 0. 1 03 mVs for the 90° V-notch weir. 34 Table 3.5 Streamflow Measurement Results for July 19, 1999 Agency Time CST Width (m) Mean Area Velocity (m/s) Gauge Height (m) Discharge (mVs) EC 1205 3.3 0.373 0.26 1.664 0.097 USGS 1130 3.4 0.38 0.271 1.664 0.103 3.6.2 Water Quality Quality control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at International Boundary on August 24, 1999. Participating agencies included the U.S. Geological Survey, Environment Canada, and SaskPower Corporation. Sets of triplicate samples were split from U.S. Geological Survey sampling chums and submitted to the respective agency laboratories for analyses. Field procedures were identical to those used since 1986. Table 3.6 shows results of the joint water-quality measurements carried out on August 24, 1999. O U u o Oh < 00 o o I o o o o V oo O o o d o in o ? oo r-- rn d 1 in o o d ON ON l—H ■*' V o o o V o o d V rn d o o 1 in o d V ^ o 'It o d V s EM ■** e u NO o oo (N O o V o o o V o o d d o o d V 1 m o d V •^ o fS o 2J s *o .^ "« s C i, U a a o &< R CM NO 00 O c> V o o o V o o d V d o o d V o o o d V in o d V od If o o d V in od < Q < < O w § > W o % X O 2 c _o o T3 E 3 o C/5 ■ob E tn •5 ts 3 c/0 E o a c N u ob w T3 3 2 y^ •X. Cl H 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-2 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-3 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-4 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-5 ANNEX 2 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 1999 CANADA-UNITED STATES A2- 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREAMBLE A2 - 3 CANADA STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 5 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 7 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 10 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETERS LEVEL MONITORING - POWER STATION AREA A2 - 12 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER LEVEL MONITORING - ASH LAGOON AREA WATER LEVEL A2 - 14 WATER-QUALITY A2 - 2 1 AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 30 UNITED STATES STREAMFLOW MONITORING A2 - 33 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 35 GROUND- WATER-QUALITY MONITORING A2 - 37 GROUND- WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2 - 39 A2-2 PREAMBLE The Technical Monitoring Schedule lists those water quantity, water-quality and air quality monitoring locations and parameters which form the basis for information exchange and reporting to Governments. The structure of the Committee responsible for ensuring the exchange takes place is described in the Poplar River Cooperative Monitoring Arrangement. The monitoring locations and parameters listed herein have been reviewed by the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring committee and represent the basic technical information needed to identify any definitive changes in water quantity, water-quality and air quality at the International Boundary. The Schedule was initially submitted to Governments for approval as an attachment to the 1981 report Governments. Changes in the sampling locations and parameters may be made by Governments based on the recommendations of the committee. Significant additional information is being collected by agencies on both sides of the International Boundary, primarily for project management or basin-wide baseline data purposes. This additional information is usually available upon request from the collecting agency and forms part of the pool of technical information which may be drawn upon by Governments for specific study purposes. Examples of additional information are 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 is also being collected on either a routine or specific studies basis by various agencies. A2-3 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 1999 CANADA ) A2 - 4 I STREAMFLOW MONITORING Responsible Agency: Environment Canada Daily mean discharge or levels and instantaneous monthly extremes as normally published in surface water data publications. No. on Map Station No. Station Name *1 11AE003 (06178500) East Poplar River at International Boundary 2 ***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 Sask Water during periods of outflow only. *** - Sask Water took over the monitoring responsibility effective July 1/92. A2-5 lO Miitt HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-6 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY Sampling Locations Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management* | No. on Map Station No. Station Name 1 7904 Fife Lake Overflow 2 12412 Discontinued Girard Creek at Coronach Reservoir Outflow 3 12377 Discontinued Upper End of Cookson Reservoir at Highway 36 4 12368 Cookson Reservoir near Dam 5 12386 Discontinued East Poplar River at Culvert Immediately Below Cookson Reservoir Data collected by SaskPower Responsible Agency: Environment Canada No. on Map Station No. Station Name 6 00SA11AE0008 East Poplar River at International Boundary A2-7 PARAMETERS Responsible Agency: Environment Canada NAQUADAT* Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No. 6 Code 10151 Alkalinity-phenolphthalein Polentiometric Titration BM 10111 Alkalinily-tolal Potentiometric Titration BM 13102 Aluminum-dissolved AA-Direct BM 13302 Aluminum-extracted AA-Direct BM 07570 Ammonia-free Calculated BM 07540 Ammonia-total Automated Colourimelric BM 33108 Arsenic-dissolved ICAP-hydride BM 56001 Barium-total AA-Direct BM 06201 Bicarbonates Calculated BM 05211 Boron-dissolved ICAP BM 96360 Bromoxynil Gas Chromatography BM 48002 Cadmium-total AA Solvent Extraction BM 20103 Calcium AA-Direcl BM 06104 Carbon-dissolved organic Automated IR Detection BM 06901 Carbon-particulate Elemental Analyzer BM 06002 Carbon-total organic Calculated BM 06301 Carbonates Calculated BM 17206 Chloride Automated Colourimelric BM 06717 Chlorophyll a Spectrophotometric BM 24003 Chromium-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 27002 Cobalt-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 36012 Coliform-fecal Membrane Filtration BM 36002 Colifonn-total Membrane Filtration BM 02021 Colour Comparator BM 02041 Conductivity Wheatslone Bridge BM 29005 Copper-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 06610 Cyanide Automated UV-Colourimelric BM 09117 Fluoride-dissolved Eleclrometric BM 06401 Free Carbon Dioxide Calculated BM 10602 Hardness Calculated BM 17811 Hexachlorobenzene Gas Chromatography BM 08501 Hydroxide Calculated BM 1 26104 Iron-dissolved AA-Direct BM I 82002 Lead-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 12102 Magnesium AA-Direct BM 25104 Manganese-dissolved AA-Direct BM 80011 Mercury-total Flameless AA BM 07901 N-particulate Elemental Analyzer BM 07651 N-total dissolved Automated UV Colourimetric BM 10401 NFR Gravimetric BM 28002 Nickel-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 07110 Nitrate/Nitrite Colourimetric BM 07603 Nitrogen-total Calculated BM 10650 Non-Carbonate Hardness Calculated BM 18XXX Organo Chlorines Gas Chromatography BM 08101 Oxygen-dissolved Winkler BM 15901 P-particulate Calculated BM 15465 P-lotal dissolved Automated Colourimetric BM 185XX Phenoxy Herbicides Gas Chromatography BM 15423 Phosphorus-total Colourimetric (TRAACS) BM 19103 Potassium Flame Emission BM 11250 Percent Sodium Calculated BM 00210 Saturation Index Calculated BM 34108 Selenium-dissolved ICAP-hydride BM 14108 Silica Automated Colourimetric BM 11103 Sodium Flame Emission BM 00211 Stability Index Calculated BM 16306 Sulphate Automated Colourimetric BM 00201 TDS Calculated BM 02061 Temperature Digital Thermometer BM 02073 Turbidity Nephelometry BM 23002 Vanadium-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 30005 Zinc-total AA-Solvent Extraction BM 10301 pH Electrometric BM 92111 Uranium Fluometric MC • - Computer Storage and Retrieval System — Environment Canada AA - Atomic Absorption IR - Infrared UV - Ultraviolet NFR - Nonfilterable Residue MC - Monthly Composite BM - Bimonthly (Alternate months sampled by U.S.G.S.) ICAP - Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma. A2-8 ^ LEGEND: ^ CNVAOMCICT tAtKATCHCWAN ■ CNVMOMMCNT CAflAM SCALE I5 Km 0 S lO Miict SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (CANADA) A2-9 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY Responsible Agency: Sask Water* Measurement Frequency: Quarterly Piezometer Tip of Screen Perforation Zone Number Location Elevation (m) (depth in metres) 52 NW 14-1-27 W3 738.43 43 - 49 (in coal) 506A SW 4-1-27 W3 748.27 81 -82 (in coal) 507 SW 6-1-26 W3 725.27 34 - 35 (in coal) 509 NW 11-1-27 W3 725.82 76 - 77 (in coal) 510 NW 1-1-28 W3 769.34 28 - 29 (in layered coal and clay) Data Collected by: SaskPower A2-10 r lO Miles GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING A2.11 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING - POPLAR RIVER POWER STATION AREA SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C525 Empress C526 Empress C527 Empress C528 Oxidized C539 Empress C540 Empress C737 Empress C739 Empress C740 Empress C741 Empress C743 Empress C746 Mottled Till C747 Mottled Till C748 Mottled Till C756 Empress water levels measured quarterly SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C739 Empress samples collected annually A2- 12 o " vD <] M ID U <] r-~ W1 u i. <] Op e GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING— ASH LAGOON AREA-- WATER LEVEL SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C529 Empress C532 Empress C533 Empress C534 Oxidized Till C535 Empress C536 Empress C537 Empress C538 Empress C542 Empress C653A Unoxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C655A Unoxidized Till C655B Unoxidized Till C711 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand C7I2C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized till C713E Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Mottled Till C714C Oxidized Till A2- 14 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C714D Oxidized Till C714 Empress C715 Oxidized Till C716 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C718 Mottled Till C719 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C724 Mottled Till C725 Oxidized Till C726A Oxidized Till C726B Mottled Till C726C Oxidized Till C726D Empress C727A Unoxidized Till C727B Mottled Till C727C Oxidized Till C728A Oxidized Till C728B Unoxidized Till A2- 15 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728 Empress C731 Empress C732 Empress C733 Empress C734 Empress C742 Empress C745 Oxidized Till C749 Mottled Till C750 Unoxidized Till C751 Unoxidized Till C752 Unoxidized Till C753 Oxidized Till C757 Unoxidized Till C758 Intra Till Sand C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763C Mottled Till C763D Unoxidized Till C763A Empress C764B Mottled Till A2- 16 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA -WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C764C Oxidized Till C764D Unoxidized Till C764E Empress C765A Empress C765B Unoxidized Till C765C Oxidized Till C765D Oxidized Till C765E Mottled Till C766A Empress C766 Intra Till Sand C767A Empress C767B Unoxidized Till C767 Intra Till Sand C768A Empress C768B Unoxidized Till C768C Oxidized Till C775A Oxidized Till C775C Unoxidized Till C776A Oxidized Till C776B Oxidized Till C867A Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon # 1 C867B Oxidized Till A2- 17 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C867C Unoxidized Til! C868A Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon # 1 C868B Oxidized Till C868C Unoxidized Till C869B Oxidized Till C869C Unoxidized Till C870E Empress C871A Ash Stack- Ash Lagoon #1 C871B Oxidized Till C871C Unoxidized Till C872B Oxidized Till C872C Unoxidized Till C873E Empress C885B Oxidized Till C885C Oxidized Till C885D Unoxidized Till C885E Empress C886A Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South C886B Oxidized Till C886C Oxidized Till C886D Unoxidized Till C886E Empress A2- 18 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C887A Asli Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South C887B Oxidized Till C887C Oxidized Till C887D Unoxidized Till C887E Empress C888B Oxidized Till C888C Oxidized Till C888D Unoxidized Till C888E Empress C889B Oxidized Till C889C Oxidized Till C889D Unoxidized Till C889E Empress C890A Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South C890B Oxidized Till C890C Oxidized Till C890D Unoxidized Till C890E Empress C891B Oxidized Till C891C Oxidized Till C891D Unoxidized Till C891E Empress A2- 19 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA-WATER LEVEL (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C892B Oxidized Till C892C Oxidized Till C892D Unoxidized Till C892C Empress C893A Ash Stack - Ash Lagoon #3 South C893B Oxidized Till C893C Oxidized Till C893D Unoxidized Till C893E Empress C894B Oxidized Till C894C Oxidized Till C894D Unoxidized Till C894E Empress C895B Oxidized Till C895C Oxidized Till C895D Unoxidized Till C895E Empress Water levels measured quarterly A2-20 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING-- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY Responsible Agency: SERM Data Collected by: SaskPower SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C529 Empress C532 Empress C533 Empress C534 Oxidized Till C535 Empress C536 Empress C537 Empress C538 Empress C542 Empress C653A Unoxidized Till C654 Unoxidized Till C655A Unoxidized Till C655B Unoxidized Till C7I1 Oxidized Till C712A Unoxidized Till C712B Intra Till Sand C712C Mottled Till C712D Oxidized till C713 Oxidized Till C714A Unoxidized Till C714B Mottled Till A2-21 GROUND- WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C714C Oxidized Till C714D Oxidized Till C714E Empress C715 Oxidized Till C716 Oxidized Till C717 Oxidized Till C718 Mottled Till C719 Oxidized Till C720 Oxidized Till C721 Oxidized Till C722 Oxidized Till C723 Oxidized Till C724 Mottled Till C725 Oxidized Till C726A Oxidized Till C726B Mottled Till C726C Oxidized Till C726E Empress C727A Unoxidized Till C727B Mottled Till C727C Oxidized Till A2-22 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C728A Oxidized Till C728B Unoxidized Till C728C Mottled Till C728D Oxidized Till C728E Empress C731 Empress C732 Empress C733 Empress C734 Empress C742 Empress C745 Oxidized Till C749 Mottled Till C750 Unoxidized Till C751 Unoxidized Till C752 Unoxidized Till C753 Oxidized Till C757 Unoxidized Till C758 Intra Till Sand C763A Mottled Till C763B Oxidized Till C763C Mottled Till A2-23 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C763D Unoxidized Till C763E Empress C764B Mottled Till C764C Oxidized Till C764D Unoxidized Till C764E Empress C765A Empress C765B Unoxidized Till C765C Oxidized Till C765D Oxidized Till C765E Mottled Till C766A Empress C766B Intra Till Sand C767A Empress C767B Unoxidized Till C767C Intra Till Sand C768A Empress C768B Unoxidized Till C768C Oxidized Till C775A Oxidized Till C775C Unoxidized Till A2-24 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C776A Oxidized Till C776B Oxidized Till C867B Oxidized Till C867C Unoxidized Till C868B Oxidized Till C868C Unoxidized Till C869B Oxidized Till C869C Unoxidized Till C870A Empress C871B Oxidized Till C871C Unoxidized Till C872B Oxidized Till C872C Unoxidized Till C873A Empress C885B Oxidized Till C885C Oxidized Till C885D Unoxidized Till C885E Empress C886A Ash Stack C886B Oxidized Till C886C Oxidized Till A2-25 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C886D Unoxidized Till C886E Empress C887B Oxidized Till C887C Oxidized Till C887D Unoxidized Till C887E Empress C888B Oxidized Till C888C Oxidized Till C888D Unoxidized Till C888E Empress C889B Oxidized Till C889C Oxidized Till C889D Unoxidized Till C889E Empress C890B Oxidized Till C890C Oxidized Till C890D Unoxidized Till C890E Empress C891B Oxidized Till 891C Oxidized Till C891D Unoxidized Till A2-26 GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETER MONITORING- ASH LAGOON AREA - QUALITY (Continued) SPC Piezometer Number Completion Formation C891E Empress C892B Oxidized Till C892C Oxidized Till C892D Unoxidized Till C892C Empress C893B Oxidized Till C893C Oxidized Till C893D Unoxidized Till C893E Empress C894B Oxidized Till C894C Oxidized Till C894D Unoxidized Till C894E Empress C895B Oxidized Till C895C Oxidized Till C895D Unoxidized Till C895E Empress Samples collected annually A2-27 PARAMETERS Responsible Agency; Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management | Data Collectec by: SaskPower ESQUADAT* Code Parameter Analvtical method Sampling Frequency Station No. Piezometers lOIOI Alkalinity -tot Pot-Tllraiion A 13105 Aluminum-Diss AA-Direct 3*» 33104 Arsenic-Diss Flameless AA A 55104 Barium-Djss AA-Direct A 06201 Bicarbonates Calculated A 06105 Boron-Diss Colourimetry 3" 48102 Cadmium-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) A 20103 Calcium-Diss AA-Direct A 06301 Carbonates Calculated A 1 17203 Chloride-Diss Colourimetry A 24104 Chromium-Diss AA-Direct A 27102 Cobalt-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) A 02011 Colour Comparator A 02041 Conductivity Conductivity Meter 3 29105 Copper-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) A 09103 Fiuoride-Diss Specific Ion Electrode A 26104 Iron-Diss AA-Direct A 82103 Lead-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) A 12102 Magnesium-Diss AA-Direct A 25104 Manganese-Diss AA-Direct A 80111 Mercury-Diss Flameless AA A 42102 Molybdenum-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (N-Butyl acetate) A 10301 pH Electrometric 3" 19103 Potassium-Diss Flame Photometry A 34105 Selenium-Diss Hydride generation A 14102 Silica-Diss Colourimetry A 11103 Sodium-Diss Flame Photometry A 38101 Slronlium-Diss AA-Direct y 16306 Sulphate-Diss Colourimetry :j«. 10451 TDS Gravimetric 3** 92111 Uranium-Diss Fluoromctry 3»* 23104 Vanadium-Diss AA-Direct A 1 97025 Water Level 4 30105 Zinc-Diss AA-Solvent Extract (MIBK) A • Computer storage and retrieval system -Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management. No zinc or iron for Piezometers SYMBOLS: AA-Atomic Absorption A Annually '* Analyze annually for these Piezometers Nos. AA - Solvent and extracted with Methyl Isobuty I Ketone. 4 - 4 limes/year 3 - 3 timcs'y«af C531I0C538. Extract (MIBK) - sample acidified Ambient Air-Quality Monitoring Responsible Agency: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management Data Collected by: SaskPower No. On Map Location Parameters Reporting Frequency 1 Coronach Sulphur Dioxide Continuous monitoring with (Discontinued) hourly averages as summary statistics. Total Suspended 24-hour samples on 6-day Particulate cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling schedule. 2 International Sulphur Dioxide Continuous monitoring with Boundary* hourly averages as summary statistics. Total Suspended 24-hour samples on 6-day Particulate cycle, corresponding to the national air pollution surveillance sampling schedule. 3 PRPS Site** Wind Speed and Continuous monitoring with Direction hourly averages as summary statistics Sulphur Dioxide METHODS 1 Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management Pulsed Fluorescence Total Suspended Particulate Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management High Volume Method **This station operated by SaskPower. The data is downloaded by Environment Canada. A2 - 30 LEQEND: AweCNT AM OVAUTV MOMTO<«tM A SCALE 0 ^ 10 IS Km 6 6 I'O Milet AMBIENT AIR-QUALITY MONITORING (CANADA) A2-31 POPLAR RIVER COOPERATIVE MONITORING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL MONITORING SCHEDULES 1999 UNITED STATES A2-32 STREAMFLOW MONITORING Responsible Agency: United States Geological Survey No. on Map Station Number Station Name 1* 06178000 ( 11 AE008) Poplar River at International Boundary 2* 06178500 (11AE003) East Poplar River at International Boundary International Gauging Station A2-33 r 10 Mil<« HYDROMETRIC GAUGING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) y A2-34 SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING ~ Station Location Responsible Agency: U.S. Geological Survey No. On Map USGS Station No. STATION NAME 1 6178000 Poplar River at International Boundary 2 6178500 East Poplar River at International Boundary PARAMETERS Annual Sampling Frequency Analytical Parameter Analytical Method Site1 Site 2 Code 29801 Alkalinity - lab Elect. Titration 5 6 01106 Aluminum - diss ICP 2 2 00608 Ammonia - diss Colorimetric 5 6 00625 Ammonia +Org N-tot Colorimetric 5 6 01000 Arsenic - diss AA, hydride 2 2 01002 Arsenic - tot AA, hydride 1 1 01010 Beryllium - diss AA, flame 2 2 01012 Beryllium - tot/rec AA, flame 1 1 01020 Boron - diss ICP 5 6 01025 Cadmium - diss AA.GF 2 2 01027 Cadmium - tot/rec AA, GF - Persulfate 1 2 00915 Calcium - diss /\A, flame 5 6 00680 Carbon - tot Org Wet Oxidation 1 1 00940 Chloride - diss IC 5 6 01030 Ctiromium - diss AA, GF 2 2 01034 Chromium - tot/rec AA, GF 1 2 00080 Color Electrometric, visual 5 6 00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge 5 C 01040 Copper - diss AA, GF 2 2 01042 Copper - tot/rec AA, GF - Persulfate 1 2 00061 Discharge - inst Direct measurement 5 6 00950 Fluoride - diss Colormetric, ISE 5 6 01046 Iron - diss AA, flame 5 6 01045 Iron - tot/rec /V\, flame 1 2 01049 Lead - diss A^, GF 2 2 01051 Lead - tot/rec AA, GF - Persulfate 1 2 00925 Magnesium - diss AA, flame 5 2 01056 Manganese - diss AA, flame 2 2 01055 Manganese - tot/rec AA, flame 1 2 01065 Nickel - diss AA, GF 2 2 01067 Nickel - tot/rec /VA, GF - Persulfate 1 2 00613 Nitrite - diss Colorimetric 5 6 00631 Nitrate + Nitrite - diss Colorimetric 5 6 00300 Oxygen-diss Oxygen membrane 5 6 00400 pH Electrometric 5 6 00671 Phos, Orlho-diss Colorimetric 5 6 00665 Phosphorous - tot Colorimetric 5 6 00935 Potassium - diss /\A, flame 5 6 00931 SAR Calculated 5 6 80154 Sediment - cone. Filtration-Gravimetric 5 6 80155 Sediment - load Calculated 5 6 01145 Selenium - diss AA, hydride 2 2 01147 Selenium tot /VA, hydride 1 1 00955 Silica - diss Colorimetric 5 6 00930 Sodium - diss AA, flame 5 6 00945 Sulphate - diss IC 5 6 70301 Total Dissolved Solids Calculated 5 6 00010 Temp Water Stem Thermometer 5 6 00020 Temp Air Stem Thermometer 5 6 00076 Turbidity Nephelometric 5 6 22703 Uranium - diss LIP MC 01090 Zinc - diss /\A, flame 2 2 01092 Zinc - tot/rec AA, flame 1 2 Abbreviations: C - continuous; MC - monthly composite; GF - graphite furnace; AA - atomic absorption; tot/rec - total recoverable; diss - dissolved; AE - atomic emission; ICP - inductively coupled plasma; IC - ion exchange chromatography; LIP- ; Org - organic A2-35 lO Mittt SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS (UNITED STATES) A2-36 GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING - Station Locations Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Map Well Total Depth (a) Casing Aquifer Perforation Zone (m) Number Location (m) Diameter (cm) 7 37N47E12BBBB 44.1 102 Hart Coal 39-44 16 37N46E3ABAB 25.5 102 Fort Union 23-25 24 37N48E5AB 9.6 102 Alluvium 9.2-9.6 Parameters Storet Parameter Analytical Method Sampling Frequency Station No. Code 00440 Bicarbonates Electrometrlc Titration Sample collection is annually for 01020 Boron-diss Emission Plasma, ICP all locations identified above. 00915 Calcium Emission Plasma 00445 Carbonates Electrometrlc Titration The analytical method descriptions 00940 Chloride Ion Chromatography are those of the Montana Bureau of 00095 Conductivity Wheatstone Bridge Mines and Geology Laboratory where 01040 Copper-diss Emission Plasma, ICP the samples are analysed. 00950 Fluoride Ion Chromatography 01046 Irondiss 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 Electrometrlc 00935 Potassium Emission Plasma, ICP 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 ICP - MS - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry ICP - Inductively Coupled Plasma Unit A2-37 r 0 5 10 :5 K' 10 Miles GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (UNITED STATES) A2-38 GROUND-WATER LEVELS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERING Responsible Agency: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology No. on Map Sampling 56789101113161750000000 Determine water levels quarterly A2-39 S 10 IS Km I I ill u ' 1 S 10 MHet GROUND-WATER PIEZOMETERS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN DUE TO COAL SEAM DEWATERINQ A2-40 ANNEX 3 RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOURIS-RED RIVERS ENGINEERING BOARD, POPLAR RIVER TASK FORCE (1976) A3-1 *RECOMMENDED FLOW APPORTIONMENT IN THE POPLAR RIVER BASIN The aggregate natural flow of all streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States subject to the following conditions: The total natural flow of the West Fork Poplar River and all its tributaries crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States but the flow at the International Boundary in each tributary shall not be depleted by more than 60 percent of its natural flow. The total natural flow of all remaining streams and tributaries in the Poplar River Basin crossing the International Boundary shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States. Specific conditions of this division are as follows: (a) Canada shall deliver to the United States a minimum of 60 percent of the natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River at the International Boundary, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek and Middle Fork. (b) The delivery of water from Canada to the United States on the East Poplar River shall be determined on or about the first day of June of each year as follows: (i) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar River, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1 st to May 3 1st period does not exceed 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), then a continuous minimum flow of 0.028 cubic metres per second (1.0 cubic feet per second) shall be delivered to the United States on the East Poplar River at the International Boundar>' throughout the succeeding 1 2 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 1 st to May 3 1 st period is greater than 4,690 cubic decameters (3,800 acre-feet), but does not exceed 9,250 cubic decameters (7,500 acre-feet). Canada-United States, 1976, Joint studies for flow apportionment, Poplar River Basin, Montana-Saskatchewan: Main Report, International Souris-Red Rivers Board. Poplar River Task Force. 43 pp. A3-2 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 1 st through to May 3 1 st 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 1 st to May 3 1 st 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 1 st through August 3 1 st. A minimum delivery of 0.057 cubic metres per second (2.0 cubic feet per second) shall then be maintained from September 1 st through to May 3 1 st 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 1 2 month period commencing June 1 st. (iv) When the total natural flow of the Middle Fork Poplar, as determined below the confluence of Goose Creek, during the immediately preceding March 1 st to May 3 1 st period exceeds 14,800 cubic decameters (12,000 acres-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. 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 -3 ANNEX 4 METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS A4-1 METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 4,047 m^ = 0.04047 ha 1.233.5 m^= 1.2335 dam^ 5/9(F°-32) 0.3937 in. 0.155 in^ LO00m^ = 0.8107 ac-ft 28.3171 xlO-^m' 10,000 m^ = 2.471 ac 100 m = 328.08 ft IxlO^m^ 0.0758 L/s = 2.54 cm 2.20462 lb = 1.1 X 10-^ tons 0.62137 miles 0.3861 mi^ 0.3532 ft^ = 0.21997 I. gal = 0.26420 U.S. gal 0.035 cfs = 13.193 I.gpm = 15.848 U.S. gpm m = 3.2808 ft m- ■= 10.765 ft^ m^ = l,000L = 35.3144ft3 = 219.97I.gal= 264.2 U.S. gal mVs = 35.314 cfs mm = 0.00328 ft tonne = 1 ,000 kg = 1 . 1 023 ton (short) U.S. gpm = 0.0631 L/s For Air Samples ppm = 100 pphm = 1000 x (Molecular Weight of substance/24.45) mg/m^ A4-2