3.0 WATER AND AIR: MONITORING AND INTERPRETATIONS 



3.1 Poplar River Powe r Station Operation 



In 1995, the average capacity factor for Unit No. 1 was 87.2 percent. The average capacity factor 

 for Unit No. 2 was 85.3 percent. The capacity factors are based on the maximum generation 

 rating of 297.8 MW/h for Unit No. 1 and 294.0 MW/h for Unit No. 2. Total power generated 

 from both units was 4 472 200 gross megawatt-hours which is about 102 percent of 1994 power 

 and 103 percent of 1993 power. 



There was no major construction activity during 1995 as compared to 1994 when Ash Lagoon #3 

 South was constructed. A minor construction project was started in the fall of 1995 to install a 

 new discharge culvert between Ash Lagoons 1 and 2. 



3.2 East Poplar River 



3.2.1 Streamflow 



Streamflow in the Poplar River basin was below normal in 1995. The March to October recorded 

 flow of the Poplar River at the International Boundary, an indicator of natural flow in the basin, 

 was 3 340 cubic decameters (dam^) or 33 percent of the 1931 to 1990 median seasonal flow. 

 However, timely precipitation sustained above-average flows in the normally dry late-summer 

 months after below-average snowmelt runoff in the spring. A comparison of 1995 mean monthly 

 discharge with the l%l-90 median flow is shown in Figure 3.1. 



