INTEGRATING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND MODFLOW FOR GROUND WATER RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS1

ABSTRACT: The Floridan Aquifer is the primary source of water in the coastal area of Santa Rosa County, Florida. In order to optimize well field design and analyze aquifer stress problems, the USGS MODFLOW code (McDonald and Harbaugh, 1988) is applied to develop a numerical computer model of the aquifer. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is the primary tool used in the development of the model grid, performance of the modeling procedure, and model analysis. The GIS is used in generating multiple grids in which to simulate both regional scale and local scale flow. The grid topology is recorded in geographic coordinates which facilitates geo-referencing and orientation of the grid to base maps and data coyerages. The GIS allows data transfer from various coverages to the nodes of the block centered grid where hydrogeologic information is stored as attributes to the grid coverage. From this grid coverage, pertinent information is queried within the GIS environment and used to generate the input files for the MODFLOW simulation. After MODFLOW execution, simulated heads and drawdown are imported into the grid coverage where residual error and recharge rates can be calculated. Contoured surfaces are then created for selected data sets including simulated heads, drawdown, residual error, and recharge rates. Model calibration is conducted utilizing the GIS to generate and process data sets associated with model simulations.     

INTEGRATING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN GROUND-WATER APPLICATIONS USING NUMERICAL MODELING TECHNIQUES1

ABSTRACT: The Sand and Gravel Aquifer is the sole source of potable water in Escambia County, Florida. In order to better understand the hydraulics of the aquifer, a numerical computer model of the aquifer was developed. The model applied a finite element technique which allowed for density-dependent transport and flow in three dimensions. The modeling technique was integrated with GIS to develop a system for optimal management of the resource. The GIS was the primary tool in the development of the model grid, as well as being the integral component in the modeling procedure. Multiple model grids were developed for simulating regional flow and local flow/transport phenomena. The model grids were generated by the GIS where nodal and element sequencing were recorded. The grid topology was stored in the GIS with the element numbers, node numbers, and the related hydrogeologic attributes. The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) module was used for transferring interpolated value between GIS coverages. TIN allowed a fit of the model grid to the physical dimensions of the aquifer and for interpolating boundary values for telescopically refined grids. Calculations between TIN surfaces provided the residuals of the dependent variable from observed TIN surfaces. Model calibration was conducted within the GIS environment through a combination of visual and relational querying. The GIS provided an integrated environment which facilitated model analyses and data storage and retrieval.