HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2000 



The Poplar River Power Station completed its seventeenth full year of operation in 2000. The two 

 300-megawatt coal-fired units generated 4,454,500 gross megawatt hours (MW/h) of electricity. 

 The average capacity factors for Units No. 1 and 2 were 73.9 percent and 90.6 percent, 

 respectively. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generating rating of 305 MW/h for 

 Unit No.l and 310 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Similar to other years, scheduled maintenance was 

 completed in the fall and spring of 2000. 



Monitoring information collected in both Canada and the United States during 2000 was exchanged 

 in the spring of 2001. In general, the sampling locations, frequency of collection, and parameters 

 met the requirements identified in the 2000 Technical Monitoring Schedules set forth in the 1 999 

 annual report. 



The recorded volume of the Poplar River at International Boundary fi-om March 1 to May 31, 2000 

 was 2,080 dam'' (1,690 acre-feet). Based on International Joint Commission (IJC) recom- 

 mendations and the assumption that the recorded flow is the natural flow, the United States was 

 entitled to a minimum discharge on the East Poplar River of 0.028 cubic metres per second (m^/s) 

 (1.0 cubic foot per second (ftVs)) for the period June 1, 2000 to May 31, 2001. The minimum flow 

 of 0.057 m^/s (2.0 ft^/s) for the period January 1 to May 31, 2000 had previously been determined 

 on the basis of the Poplar River flow volume for March 1 to May 31, 1999. Except for April 28, 

 daily flows in 2000 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 31,740 dam'' (25,730 acre-feet) recorded at the 

 Poplar River at International Boundary gauging station for March 1 through May 31, 1999, the 

 United States was entitied to an additional release of 1,230 dam^ (1,000 acre-feet) from Cookson 

 Reservoir during the succeeding twelve-month period commencing June 1, 1999. Montana 

 requested this release to be made between May 1 and May 31, 2000. A volume of 1,180 dam^ 

 (957 acre-feet), in addition to the minimum flow, was delivered during this period. 



The 2000 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 2000 was 972 mg/L, which was less than in 1999. Boron concentrations for 2000 continued to 

 remain well below the long-term objective of 2.5 mg/L. 



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