In order for groundwater flow models to be able to simulate actual aquifer behavior, they must have comprehensive data structures that allow for the utilization of various types of data describing the hydrogeologic conditions of the system. When, for example, parameter values describing the variability within the groundwater flow system show temporal trends in hydrologic stresses as well as past and future trends in water levels, there is a need to combine the spacial characteristics of the aquifer into a numerical representation. Calculations of model parameters and construction of model layers are performed using simple menus. In order to demonstrate the functionality of ModelGIS, a groundwater flow model was constructed utilizing hydrogeologic data at the Davis Well Field. The purpose of this model is to provide possible explanations for water-quality degradation in two wells in the Davis Well Field.
Production is from the Memphis aquifer.
The figure below shows the main ModelGIS menu. Once the GWArc module is invoked, a menu appears containing several options as shown in the figure below. The construction of the finite-difference model grid is usually the first activity associated with the development of a model. ModelGIS has the flexibility to create a grid using uniform or variably-spaced cells as well as a standard or rotated grid. After creation of the grid, the user may construct model-based coverages by selecting the Model Data option in the GWArc menu.