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Environment Canada monitored the East Poplar River for phenoxy-acid 

 herbicides and organochlorine compounds during 1987. Trace concen- 

 trations of MCPA (in one of twelve samples), 2,4-DP (in one of twelve 

 samples), and alpha-BHC (in three of twelve samples) were recorded. 

 Traces of these compounds are not uncommon in prairie waters, and the 

 concentrations measured are not considered a hazard. All other 

 organic compounds monitored were reported as being below analytical 

 detection limits. 



Girard Creek and Cookson Reservoir 



Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety reported quarterly on the 

 water quality at four locations in the Poplar River Basin during 1987. 

 Sites included Girard Creek south of Coronach, Cookson Reservoir at 

 Highway 36, Cookson Reservoir near Morrison Dam, and East Poplar River 

 immediately below Morrison Dam. Sampling at these sites was carried 

 out in February, May, August, and November. 



A review of the data from these locations showed concentrations of all 

 water quality variables to be within the recommended water quality 

 objectives for the East Poplar River (listed in Table 4). 



Quality Control 



Quality control sampling was carried out at the East Poplar River at 

 the International Boundary on May 17, 1988. Participating agencies 

 included the United States Geological Survey, Environment Canada, 

 Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety, and Saskatchewan Power. 

 Sets of triplicate samples were split from USGS sampling churns and 

 submitted to the respective agency laboratories for analyses. Pro- 

 cedures were identical to those used during 1986 and 1987. 



