Groundwater Vistas Course Outline

DAY ONE

Lecture 1: (1 hour)
Groundwater Modeling Protocols

The first lecture is an overview of the modeling process as described in ASTM's Standard D5447-93 for application of a groundwater flow model to a site-specific problem. A brief description of each modeling step from conceptualization through calibration and predictive simulations is presented. Each step will be described more fully in later lectures.

Lecture 2: (1.5 hours)
Introduction to GV & MODFLOW^win32

MODFLOW is the most widely used groundwater flow model in the world. There are many different versions available commercially. The lecture describes both MODFLOW in general and MODFLOW^win32, in particular. The lecture also introduces Groundwater Vistas (GV), ESI's Windows environment for numerical modeling. GV allows users to design models interactively, run the models, and view the results.

Computer Exercise 1: (1.5 hours)
Introduction to MODFLOW^win32 and Groundwater Vistas

Participants will design a simple 3D model using GV, run the model with MODFLOW^win32, and contour the results. GV is a general modeling environment for Microsoft Windows that supports several models including MODFLOW, MODPATH, and MT3D. The software is both a preprocessor and postprocessor and provides a seamless interface to the supported models.

Lecture 3: (1.5 hours)
Designing Groundwater Models

This lecture provides detailed information on designing groundwater models. Topics include: (1) grid design concepts, (2) types of boundary conditions and how to select them, and (3) assigning aquifer properties in a model. The concepts are general enough to apply to any model; however, MODFLOW terminology is used extensively.

Lecture 4: (0.5 hours)
Description of the Example Problem

In the remaining computer sessions, the participants will construct and calibrate a model for a SuperFund site. The site has been selected because it is relatively easy to model and can be modeled using MODFLOW. The conceptual model for the example site is presented in this lecture.

Computer Exercise 2: (2 hours)
Constructing the Example Model

Participants will design the model grid, assign boundary conditions, and set the initial aquifer property distributions in the model. The goal is to get at least one model simulation processed by the end of the session. Those that are already familiar with MODFLOW may also start on the calibration phase.

DAY 2

Lecture 5: (2 hours)
Model Calibration

Model calibration is one of the most important steps in the modeling process. The lecture presents a structured approach to calibration that saves time and generally produces the best possible match between model results and field measurements. Both trial-and-error and automatic methods of calibration are presented. Sensitivity analysis, a key part of the calibration process, is described in detail.

Computer Exercise 3: (2.5 hours)
Calibration of the Example Model

Data are provided so that the example problem may be calibrated to two different time periods. The participants will attempt to achieve a good calibration with both sets of data using MODFLOW.

Lecture 6: (1 hour)
Particle Tracking Analysis

Particle tracking is a form of transport analysis in which groundwater flow paths and travel times are computed. The technique does not compute contaminant concentrations but can be useful in determining capture zones for recovery or supply wells. Particle tracking is accomplished with MODFLOW using the MODPATH code. MODPATH is a postprocessing package that takes MODFLOW results and computes particle traces. There are two versions of MODPATH. The first version was for steady-state models only. The latest version incorporates support for transient simulations. Both versions are described.

Computer Session 4: (2 hours)
Particle Tracking using the Example Model

This computer session allows the participants to perform particle tracking analyses using their calibrated model. Extra time is provided to allow for final calibration of the model.

DAY 3

Lecture 7: (2 hours)
Contaminant Transport

This lecture covers the fundamental issues of contaminant transport modeling. Topics include dispersion, chemical reactions, biologic decay, and numerical problems with transport models. The U.S. EPA model MT3D is also discussed as this is the most widely used transport model in this country.

Computer Exercise 5: (2 hours)
Contaminant Transport at the Example Site

Participants are asked to determine whether contamination on the example site could impact a nearby well field under various conditions. If the well field could be impacted, the students are instructed to design a remediation system that will mitigate this impact. This exercise uses the MT3D contaminant transport model.

Lecture 8: (2 hours)
Case Studies

Two to three case studies are presented to illustrate good modeling practice and show how to review a modeling study. The case studies were chosen because they are good examples of flow models but all contain some weaknesses that are identified. Each study was performed by the USGS for contaminated sites. USGS studies were chosen because the documentation of the analyses (and in some cases the actual model data files) are easily obtained.

Computer Exercise 6: (Remaining Time)
Free Time to Finish Exercises

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To register or request more information, contact: info@scisoftware.com.

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