Digital models of ground-water flow in the Cape Cod aquifer system, Massachusetts

The Cape Cod aquifer system was simulated with three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water-flow models. Five areas were modeled to provide tools that can be used to evaluate the hydrologic impacts of regional water development and waste disposal.

The model boundaries were selected to represent the natural hydrologic boundaries of the aquifer. The boundary between fresh and saline ground water is treated as an interface along which there is no dispersion. The saline-water zone is treated as static (nonflowing).

Comparisons of calculated and observed values of head, position of the boundary between fresh and saline water, and ground-water discharge at locations where data are available indicate that the simulated ground-water reservoirs generally agree with field conditions.

Model analyses indicate that the total steady-state freshwater-flow rate through the five modeled areas is approximately 412 cubic feet per second.