SaskPower on the search for water for the Cookson Reservoir

Last fall, water levels in the Cookson Reservoir dropped to 750 metres above sea level. When the water falls to that level and below, the Poplar River Power Station begins to incur difficulties with the quality of the water it uses at the power station.
Tim Schuster, manager of fuel supply at SaskPower, said "from time to time, Poplar River (Power Station) has a problem when the Cookson Reservoir gets too low because (the power station) uses Cookson for its boiler water and its cooling water. Whenever its too low, the plant is going to have a danger of not being able to produce the full capacity because of lack of water."
Water in the reservoir is used in the boilers in the power plant as well as for cooling in the production of power. When levels in the reservoir drop, the water quality drops and the temperature warms.
This causes a couple of problems for SaskPower. When the quality of the water worsens, the condensers need to be cleaned to clear the build up of scale and when the water is too warm, it fails to provide adequate cooling for the plant.
This can cause SaskPower to decrease the amount of power produced at the plant. "The demand for electricity is growing, so we really need Poplar River to be running at full capacity all of the time" said Schuster.
Since Cookson Reservoir was built, the levels have dropped to "Quality derate" levels once, in 1992. Fortunately, this spring water levels in the reservoir took a big jump after a large runoff to take the water up from levels that concerned SaskPower, but the low levels have caused SaskPower to look into a solution for the problem.
In the past six months to a year, SaskPower, concerned with the sinking water levels, started to look at ways to supplement the water levels in the reservoir when needed.
Presently, water is added to the reservoir from the West Block pumping area west of town (the old mine area), but the infrastructure is getting older and less reliable. "The reservoir itself, without the supplemental pumping, may have gone dry a long time ago." said Schuster.
"SaskPower is looking at a well system in the East Poplar River area to pump some water into Cookson to help support it over the years, particularly when there is dry years," said Schuster.
SaskPower is looking at the potential of installing 5-6 wells and a pipeline system north of the existing reservoir, in the East Poplar River Valley adjacent to the rail line that runs from the Poplar River Mine.
Representatives from SaskPower hosted an open house in Coronach on May 28 to answer questions of any affected landowners or interested community members.
People were able to look at maps of the proposed water supply area and hear how exactly it would affect them if they were in the area.
Helene Careau, SaskPower environment department, was in attendance to talk to people about the work SaskPower does to ensure they do not interfere with rare or endangered species, as well as their work with the Ministry of Environment to ensure proper steps are taken.
Warren Folwark, Land Officer for SaskPower, was on hand to explain to landowners how they would be compensated for SaskPower's use of their land.
Initially, SaskPower will be drilling test holes in R.M. road allowances, which the R.M. has already given permission for.
Once they determine the best places for the test drilling, with their permission SaskPower will direct the program to proceed onto land owned by area residents. In some cases, there may be a well and in some cases a piezometer will be installed.
A piezometer is a small diameter observation well used to measure the water pressure of groundwater in aquifers.
Land owners will be compensated with an annual payment for the use of their land. The locations that have a well will receive more than the piezometer locations as more land is affected. Folwark was unable to predict what landowners would receive as it depended on a number of factors, such as assessed value of the land and what the land is currently being used for.
John Foley, whose land lies in the potential wellfield, is wary of the project. "I don't think they should be messing with our wells. If our wells go dry, what are we going to do for water? They say they will get us water again, but it won't be the same quality.'
Presently the test holes are being drilled in road allowances and SaskPower would need permission to go on private land, such as Foley. "I'm right in the heart of the whole system. I have springs all through my pastures. They would have to give me alot of guarantees before I'll let them in there, and I don't think they are going to do that!"
Area residents can expect to see a drilling outfit in the area in the next two weeks. After receiving data from the test holes, SaskPower will analyze the data and make a decision as to whether they will proceed with the next phase of the project.
There is presently no estimated cost for the project as it will vary greatly depending on the location of the wells and the length of pipeline that will need to be installed.
SaskPower says the wells would only come into effect when water levels are low in the reservoir and SaskPower does not expect to affect any local farmers' water supply. "The thing that (SaskPower) want to avoid for sure, is causing problems for other people with their wells, whether it be for their yards or for their farming or ranching operations. We don't want to adversely affect them for the sake of being able to pump into the reservoir," concluded Schuster.