HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2005 



The Poplar River Power Station completed its twenty-second full year of operation in 2005. The two 

 300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,345,960 gross megawatts (MW) of electricity. The average 

 capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 81.5 percent and 80.7 percent, respectively. The capacity 

 factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MW/h for both Unit No.l and Unit No. 2. 

 Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was completed in the spring and fall of 2005. 



Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2005 was exchanged in 

 the spring of 2006. 



The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary from March 1 to May 31, 2005 was 

 3,010 dam^ (2,440 acre-feet). Based on International Joint Commission (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 0.028 cubic metres per second (m^/s) (i.O cubic feet per second 

 (ftVs)) for the period June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006. The minimum flow for the period January 1 to May 

 31, 2005 was 0.028 rn^/s (1.0 ft^/s), which was determined on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume 

 for March 1 to May 31, 2004. Daily flows in 2005 met or exceeded the minimum flow recommended 

 by the IJC except for several days (July 29; August 10, 23, 30, 31; September 4, 8, 13, 14), when daily 

 flows fell below the recommended minimum due to temporary damming of the stream by upstream 

 beaver activity. 



In addition to the minimum flow, the UC 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 8,410 dam^ (6,820 acre-feet) recorded at the Poplar 

 River at International Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 2004, the United States 

 was entitled to an additional release of 617 dam'' (500 acre-feet) from Cookson Reservoir during the 

 succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 2004. Montana requested this release to be made 

 between May 1 and May 31, 2005. A volume of 678 dam' (550 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum 

 flow, was delivered during this period. 



The 2005 five-year TDS flow-weighted concentrations were below the long-term objective of 1,000 

 milligrams per litre (mg/L). The maximum monthly value calculated in 2005 was about 954 mg/L, 

 which was slightly higher than the 2004 maximum monthly value of 935 mg/L. Boron concentrations 

 for 2005, though based upon a limited number of water-quality samples, continued to remain well below 

 the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. 



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