The
use of computer modeling tools has become a standard practice
in many groundwater investigations. Groundwater resources
evaluation, groundwater quality assessment, contamination
site assessment and remediation, environmental impact review,
and other groundwater related activities increasingly rely
on computer models as a means of understanding groundwater
flow and the fate of contaminants in the subsurface. This
course introduces the conceptual principles and practical
aspects of groundwater modeling in an intuitive yet comprehensive
manner. The course objective is to demystify the use of
groundwater models by providing solid understanding of the
principles, methods, assumptions, and limitations of groundwater
models, as well as hands-on experience with the planning,
preparation, execution, presentation, and review of a modeling
project.
The
first half of the course reviews the concepts of groundwater
flow and transport, and of finite difference and finite
element methods. It provides an overview of various software
programs for ground-water flow and transport modeling and
accompanying pre- and postprocessing programs. The second
half of the course features hands-on exercises based on
the USGS MODFLOW flow model and transport model MT3D. Exercises
include site-specific models as well as basin/water-shed
wide models. The course is taught by experienced instructors
familiar with in-depth knowledge of basic and advanced principles
of modeling as well as California hydrogeology. At the end
of the course, participants should be able to understand
and actively engage in planning, supervision, and/or review
of groundwater modeling projects.
The
short-course is intended for professional consultants, technical
personnel in engineering/geology firms and irrigation/water
districts, regulatory agency specialists and managers, and
those in the legal community specializing in groundwater
issues. Participants should have a working knowledge of
the principles of groundwater hydrology and be familiar
with the PC Windows 95 (or Windows 2000) environment. No
formal training in computer programming is necessary.
- principles
and concepts of groundwater modeling
- overview
of groundwater modeling software
- conceptual
model development
- data
collection and preparation
- model
grid design
- boundary
conditions: concepts and application
- simulating
rivers, lakes, recharge, drainage
- modeling
multiple aquifer systems
- sensitivity
analysis
- model
calibration and verification
-
contaminant transport modeling
- capture
zone analysis
- Course
Instructors
