Documentation of Revisions to the Regional Aquifer System Analysis Model for the New Jersey Coastal Plain
By Lois M. Voronin
MODEL VERSION/TYPE: MODFLOW-96, steady state and transient
AREA STUDIED: New Jersey Coastal Plain
AQUIFERS SIMULATED: 10 regional New Jersey Coastal Plain aquifers
MOST RECENT WITHDRAWALS SIMULATED: 1998
MODEL SIZE: 10 layers, 135 rows, 245 columns
MINIMUM GRID SPACING:0.5 miles x 0.5 miles
MODEL ARCHIVE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST: gs-nj-model-request@usgs.gov
REPORT ABSTRACT:
The model, which simulates flow in the New Jersey Coastal Plain sediments, developed for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) program was revised. The RASA model was revised with (1) a rediscretization of the model parameters with a finer cell size, (2) a spatially variable recharge rate that is based on rates determined by recent studies, and (3) groundwater withdrawal data from 1981 to 1998. The RASA model framework, which subdivided the Coastal Plain sediments into 10 aquifers and 9 confining units, was preserved in the revised model. A transient model that simulates flow conditions from January 1, 1968, to December 31, 1998, was constructed using 21 stress periods.
The model was calibrated by attempting to match the simulated results with (1) estimated base flow for five river basins, (2) measured water levels in long-term hydrographs for 28 selected observation wells, and (3) potentiometric surfaces in the model area for 1978, 1983, 1998, 1993, and 1998 conditions. The estimated and simulated base flow in the five river basins compare well. In general, the simulated water levels matched the interpreted potentiometric surfaces and the measured water levels of the hydrographs within 25 feet.
All Reports using this model
Analysis of Effects of 2003 and Full-Allocation Withdrawals in Critical Area 1, East-Central New Jersey
Recovery of Ground-Water Levels from 1988 to 2003 and Analysis of Effects of 2003 and Full-Allocation Withdrawals in Critical Area 2, Southern New Jersey
Recovery of Ground-Water Levels From 1988 to 2003 and Analysis of Potential Water-Supply Management Options in Critical Area 1, East-Central New Jersey
Simulated effects of projected 2010 withdrawals on ground-water flow and water levels in the New Jersey coastal plain – A task of the New Jersey Water Supply Plan, 2006 revision
Sources of water to wells in updip areas of the Wenonah-Mount Laurel aquifer, Gloucester and Camden Counties, New Jersey
Simulation of proposed increases in ground-water withdrawals on the Atlantic City 800-foot sand, New Jersey Coastal Plain
Documentation of revisions to the regional aquifer system analysis model of the New Jersey coastal plain
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Documentation of Revisions to the Regional Aquifer System Analysis Model for the New Jersey Coastal Plain
By Lois M. Voronin
MODEL VERSION/TYPE: MODFLOW-96, steady state and transient
AREA STUDIED: New Jersey Coastal Plain
AQUIFERS SIMULATED: 10 regional New Jersey Coastal Plain aquifers
MOST RECENT WITHDRAWALS SIMULATED: 1998
MODEL SIZE: 10 layers, 135 rows, 245 columns
MINIMUM GRID SPACING:0.5 miles x 0.5 miles
MODEL ARCHIVE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST: gs-nj-model-request@usgs.gov
REPORT ABSTRACT:
The model, which simulates flow in the New Jersey Coastal Plain sediments, developed for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) program was revised. The RASA model was revised with (1) a rediscretization of the model parameters with a finer cell size, (2) a spatially variable recharge rate that is based on rates determined by recent studies, and (3) groundwater withdrawal data from 1981 to 1998. The RASA model framework, which subdivided the Coastal Plain sediments into 10 aquifers and 9 confining units, was preserved in the revised model. A transient model that simulates flow conditions from January 1, 1968, to December 31, 1998, was constructed using 21 stress periods.
The model was calibrated by attempting to match the simulated results with (1) estimated base flow for five river basins, (2) measured water levels in long-term hydrographs for 28 selected observation wells, and (3) potentiometric surfaces in the model area for 1978, 1983, 1998, 1993, and 1998 conditions. The estimated and simulated base flow in the five river basins compare well. In general, the simulated water levels matched the interpreted potentiometric surfaces and the measured water levels of the hydrographs within 25 feet.
- Publications
All Reports using this model
Analysis of Effects of 2003 and Full-Allocation Withdrawals in Critical Area 1, East-Central New Jersey
Critical Area 1 in east-central New Jersey was mandated in the early 1980s to address large drawdowns caused by increases in groundwater withdrawals. The aquifers involved include the Englishtown aquifer system, Wenonah-Mount Laurel aquifer, and the Upper and Middle Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifers. Groundwater levels recovered as a result of mandated cutbacks in withdrawals that began in the lateRecovery of Ground-Water Levels from 1988 to 2003 and Analysis of Effects of 2003 and Full-Allocation Withdrawals in Critical Area 2, Southern New Jersey
Water levels in the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system within Water Supply Critical Area 2 in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain have recovered as a result of reductions in ground-water withdrawals initiated in the early 1990s. The Critical Area consists of the depleted zone and the threatened margin. The Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system consists of the Upper, Middle, and Lower aquifeRecovery of Ground-Water Levels From 1988 to 2003 and Analysis of Potential Water-Supply Management Options in Critical Area 1, East-Central New Jersey
Water levels in four confined aquifers in the New Jersey Coastal Plain within Water Supply Critical Area 1 have recovered as a result of reductions in ground-water withdrawals initiated by the State in the late 1980s. The aquifers are the Wenonah-Mount Laurel, the Upper and Middle Potomac-Raritan-Magothy, and Englishtown aquifer system. Because of increased water demand due to increased developmenSimulated effects of projected 2010 withdrawals on ground-water flow and water levels in the New Jersey coastal plain – A task of the New Jersey Water Supply Plan, 2006 revision
A ground-water flow model previously developed as part of a Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) of the New Jersey Coastal Plain was used to simulate ground-water flow in eight major confined aquifers to help evaluate ground-water resources in support of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's revision of the New Jersey State Water Supply Plan. This model was calibrated to 1998Sources of water to wells in updip areas of the Wenonah-Mount Laurel aquifer, Gloucester and Camden Counties, New Jersey
Since 1996, when the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) restricted ground-water withdrawals from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain as a result of excessive drawdown, Coastal Plain communities have been interested in developing alternate sources of water supply for their residents. The use of ground water from areas near the uSimulation of proposed increases in ground-water withdrawals on the Atlantic City 800-foot sand, New Jersey Coastal Plain
The confined Atlantic City 800-foot sand and the unconfined Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system (surficial aquifer) are major sources of water for southeastern New Jersey. Because of recent concerns about streamflow depletion resulting from ground-water withdrawals and the potential ecological effects on stream habitat in the area, the focus on future withdrawals has been shifted away from the surficDocumentation of revisions to the regional aquifer system analysis model of the New Jersey coastal plain
The model, which simulates flow in the New Jersey Coastal Plain sediments, developed for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) program was revised. The RASA model was revised with (1) a rediscretization of the model parameters with a finer cell size, (2) a spatially variable recharge rate that is based on rates determined by recent studies and, (3) ground-water withdra - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.