'^*-' ■ ; 1982 HIGHLIGHTS 



The first 300 MW coal-fired electrical generating unit at the Saskatchewan 

 Power Corporation Poplar River Power Station began commercial operation 

 in July 1981. 



The quarterly exchange of monitoring information collected by both countries 

 was carried out during I982. In general, the frequency, location and type 

 of information exchanged met the requirements identified by both countries 

 in the Technical Monitoring Schedule. 



The United States received a continuous discharge in the East Poplar River 

 throughout the year and in addition was entitled to an on demand release of 

 up to 1,230 cubic decameters between June 1, 1982 and May 31, 1983. As of 

 December 31, 1982 this release had not been requested. The snowmelt runoff 

 was much above normal in I982 and resulted in large spill volumes from Cookson 

 Reservoir. Recorded flow below Cookson Reservoir was less than the minimum 

 discharge recommended by the International Joint Commission (IJC) 19 percent 

 of the time. 



The ground-water drawdown associated with coal seam dewatering was shown to 

 have no impact closer than one-half mile north of the International Boundary. 

 Boron and total dissolved solids (TDS) vary widely in the ground water with 

 generally poorer quality water in the lower aquifers. 



Boron and TDS in the East Poplar River were below the long-term and short- 

 term objectives recommended to Governments by the IJC. There was no discern- 

 ible trend from pre-project conditions. Water quality met the objectives for 

 other parameters recommended by the International Poplar River Water Quality 

 Board to the IJC with one exceedence being observed for total zinc. 



Water quality in piezometers near the Saskatchewan Power Corporation ash 

 lagoons was highly variable, with questionable results reported. Steps are 

 proposed by the Committee to improve results. 



1. 



