Overview

This 4-day* applied groundwater modeling course was designed to present the theory behind MODFLOW, MODPATH, ZoneBudget and MT3D/RT3D, and to illustrate the practical development of groundwater flow and transport models using Visual MODFLOW Premium. This course introduces the modeling process including conceptual model development, numerical model implementation and model calibration. It alternates between lectures and exercises to illustrate the ease of using Visual MODFLOW Premium. We also use WinPEST to perform automated parameter estimation to evaluate the quality of model calibration.

The course goes beyond these introductory topics and provides advice on how to choose appropriate parameter distributions and model boundaries to develop defensible models of the groundwater system. Attendees will gain a more complete understanding of the integration of GIS and Visual MODFLOW for the development of groundwater models and the presentation of results. Groundwater resource applications that are covered include model calibration using groundwater heads and flows, new well development, capture zone delineation, well interference assessment, and stream impact investigations. Contaminant transport topics include transport model development, model calibration to contaminant concentrations, source area design, choice of appropriate concentration boundary conditions, comparison of transport solvers, and 3D visualization of flow and transport results.

This course is ideally suited for hydrogeologists and modelers with some knowledge of field investigation and groundwater modeling who wish to advance their modeling knowledge, and whose responsibilities include model development, review, planning and project management.

Course Software: Visual MODFLOW Premium & WinPEST

Course Objectives and Benefits

From hands-on experience you will learn:

• How to apply Visual MODFLOW to 3D flow and contaminant transport projects
• How to use MODFLOW to develop several different types of groundwater models with hands-on lab exercises
• How to calibrate flow and transport models to observed field data
• How to use MODPATH to model 3-D particle tracking for capture zone delineation
• How to use ZoneBudget to assess sub-regional water budgets within the model domain
• How to use RT3D and MT3D to simulate 3-D reactive transport
• How t use WinPEST to improve model calibration and assess uncertainty

You will also receive:

• Hands-on guidance with Visual MODFLOW by expert instructors
• A complete set of course lecture notes and lab exercises
• A CD of laboratory exercise files and a demo copy of Visual MODFLOW

Course Topics

• Principles of the modeling process – data collection, model development, model calibration and prediction of results
• Conceptual model development using borehole data, cross-sections and aquifer test analysis
• Fundamentals of groundwater flow modeling using MODFLOW
• Basic principles of finite difference grid design, refinement and optimization
• Setting appropriate boundaries for developing a defensible groundwater model
• Simulating multi-aquifer systems with irregular layer elevations
• Particle tracking, pathline analysis and wellfield capture zone delineation
• Sub-regional water budget analysis using ZoneBudget including model validation to streamflow discharge
• Contaminant transport processes and simulation of results
• Calibration and verification of 3D flow and transport models
• Theory of automated parameter estimation, and the inner working of PEST
• Visualization of model input and model results in 2D and 3D

* Please be aware that this course is also offered in a 3-Day format.

More Information

Groundwater Monitoring Instruments & Modeling Software Catalog (PDF)