vflfii,: 



3.3 Ground Water 



3.3.1 Operations - Saskatchewan 



SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2005. Normally the majority of ground- 

 water production occurs from fall to spring in order to minimize water losses during the summer. 

 However, in the past few years production has been maintained through the summer period. In 2005, 

 4,321 cubic decameters (dam^) of ground water was produced, which is down from the 4,764 dam^ 

 pumped in 2004. Production from 1991 to 2005 has averaged 4,840 dam^ 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 as shown in Figure 3.12. With the drought of the 

 late 1980 and early 1990, 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. 



1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 



Year 



Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 



19 



