Groundwater Flow Modeling - Idaho National Laboratory Active
Numerical models are being used to better understand the flow of groundwater and the transport of radiochemical and chemical constituents in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer system.
The models, developed at the INL, afford scientists a framework to organize their knowledge and concepts of groundwater systems and to provide insights for water-resource managers for future water demands and contaminant movement in the aquifer at the INL.
OUR RECENT MODELS
In 2010, our project office developed 3D steady-state and transient flow models that can be used to show how human- and natural climate-induced stresses affect groundwater storage, flow direction, and the velocity of water movement.
In 2012, we compared the steady-state model's estimates of groundwater source areas and velocities to independently derived estimates. We've learned that our model is most accurate where the aquifer's geology includes large sediment beds.
Our scientists continue to collect new observations about the depth to groundwater, the groundwater flow deeper in the aquifer, and the aquifer’s geology. Adding these new data sets will improve model predictions for tracking contaminant movement and forecasting groundwater availability.
What's the difference between "steady-state" and "transient" models?
The steady-state model assumes inflows into the aquifer equal outflows, and there are no time-dependent changes in aquifer storage or changes in the direction and velocity of water movement.
The transient model allows water inflows and outflows to vary in response to short-and long-term changes in climate or water-use patterns resulting in an increase or decrease in aquifer storage and changes in the direction and velocity of groundwater flow.
Below are publications associated with this project.
A comparison of U.S. Geological Survey three-dimensional model estimates of groundwater source areas and velocities to independently derived estimates, Idaho National Laboratory and vicinity, Idaho
Steady-state and transient models of groundwater flow and advective transport, Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer, Idaho National Laboratory and vicinity, Idaho
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Numerical models are being used to better understand the flow of groundwater and the transport of radiochemical and chemical constituents in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer system.
The models, developed at the INL, afford scientists a framework to organize their knowledge and concepts of groundwater systems and to provide insights for water-resource managers for future water demands and contaminant movement in the aquifer at the INL.
OUR RECENT MODELS
In 2010, our project office developed 3D steady-state and transient flow models that can be used to show how human- and natural climate-induced stresses affect groundwater storage, flow direction, and the velocity of water movement.
In 2012, we compared the steady-state model's estimates of groundwater source areas and velocities to independently derived estimates. We've learned that our model is most accurate where the aquifer's geology includes large sediment beds.
Our scientists continue to collect new observations about the depth to groundwater, the groundwater flow deeper in the aquifer, and the aquifer’s geology. Adding these new data sets will improve model predictions for tracking contaminant movement and forecasting groundwater availability.
What's the difference between "steady-state" and "transient" models?
The steady-state model assumes inflows into the aquifer equal outflows, and there are no time-dependent changes in aquifer storage or changes in the direction and velocity of water movement.
The transient model allows water inflows and outflows to vary in response to short-and long-term changes in climate or water-use patterns resulting in an increase or decrease in aquifer storage and changes in the direction and velocity of groundwater flow.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
A comparison of U.S. Geological Survey three-dimensional model estimates of groundwater source areas and velocities to independently derived estimates, Idaho National Laboratory and vicinity, Idaho
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, evaluated a three-dimensional model of groundwater flow in the fractured basalts and interbedded sediments of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Laboratory to determine if model-derived estimates of groundwater movement are consistent with (1) results from previous studies on watAuthorsJason C. Fisher, Joseph P. Rousseau, Roy C. Bartholomay, Gordon W. RattraySteady-state and transient models of groundwater flow and advective transport, Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer, Idaho National Laboratory and vicinity, Idaho
Three-dimensional steady-state and transient models of groundwater flow and advective transport in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer were developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy. The steady-state and transient flow models cover an area of 1,940 square miles that includes most of the 890 square miles of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). A 50-AuthorsDaniel J. Ackerman, Joseph P. Rousseau, Gordon W. Rattray, Jason C. Fisher - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.