19 



3.3 Ground Water 



3.3.1 Operations 



SaskPower's supplementary supply continued to operate during 2001. The majority of groimd-water 

 production occurred during the fall to spring period. This is a typical operational pattern for the project 

 and is done to minimize water losses. However, pumping was maintained through the 2001 summer 

 period due to low spring runoff. In 2001, ground-water production increased to 5,307 dam"' from the 

 2000 total of 4,907 dam^ total. Production from 1991 to 2001 has now averaged 5,051 dam^ per year. 

 Prior to 1991, the wells used for supplementary supply were part of a dewatering network for coal- 

 mining operations. This 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. 



Poplar River Power Station - Suppiementary Supply 



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



Figure 3.12 Supplementary Water Supply 



