March 17, 2017

10 reasons why a hydrogeologist should know MODFLOW

March 17, 2017/ Saul Montoya

Numerical modeling has become an important part on most hydrogeological investigations. We can even say that the use of numerical models is on “fashion” in decision making processes about groundwater resources.
Numerical models are mathematical interpretations of nature and groundwater flow. They can have limitations, but still they are the best tools available for the understanding of current groundwater flow conditions and the simulation of predictive scenarios on groundwater resources.
This post shows the 10 most important reasons why a common hydrogeologist should know MODFLOW. Reasons are classified among scientific, professional and others.

March 17, 2017

How much does a groundwater modeler cost?

March 17, 2017/ Saul Montoya

After my last job as a staff groundwater modeler, I have received 6 unsolicited job offers. Of course many modelers with more years and more conections than I, have received much more offers, however, I feel happy with my humble record. The point of this comparison is that senior groundwater modelers with experience in mining hydrogeology are really scarce. Mining and consultant companies are looking for talented groundwater modelers, and somehow there are not much modelers coming out from the universities.

March 17, 2017

Why is MODFLOW better than other softwares for groundwater modelling?

March 17, 2017/ Saul Montoya

MODFLOW is the groundwater modelling software developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It appeared in 1984 and has had a constant developement till now. MODFLOW’s capacities allow the representation of regional or local groundwater flow and its interaction with superficial water bodies.

March 16, 2017

How to interpolate elevation values on Model Muse - VIDEO

March 16, 2017/ Saul Montoya

How to interpolate elevation values on Model Muse - VIDEO

March 16, 2017

Tutorial to create a MODFLOW Grid by shapefile and import elevation

March 16, 2017/ Saul Montoya

Tutorial to create a MODFLOW Grid by shapefile and import elevation

March 16, 2017

Tutorial: Well Interference Modeling and Interpretation with MODFLOW

March 16, 2017/ Saul Montoya

Interesting modeling exercise of groundwater well interference with MODFLOW. This tutorial is made from the ground up with the input files and a discussion over the results. Three pumping were considered with rates form 5 to 10 l/s. Simulation period was set up to 15 years and interference was analysed over 1, 3, 5,10 and 15 years.

March 16, 2017

Tutorial to transform a 3D into a 2D Dam Seepage Model with MODFLOW

March 16, 2017/ Saul Montoya

Interesting tutorial for the transformation of a 3D numerical groundwater flow model done with MODFLOW into a lightweight 2D model. The case of study is a groundwater flow model of tailing seepage done with horizontal discretization from 50 to 12.5m and 21 layers. The tutorial cover spatial object and dataset treatment together with some discussion on the model construction and discretization.

March 16, 2017

Basic Concepts of Groundwater Modeling with MODFLOW and Model Muse

March 16, 2017/ Saul Montoya

MODFLOW is a software for groundwater modeling developed by the USGS. The software is capable of representing conditions related to groundwater flow such as evapotranspiration, recharge, drainage, river interaction among others. Its finite different approach gives the capability to calculate the flow regime with exceptional control on water budget discrepancy. With MODFLOW one can rely on that the flow going in the model is the same as the flow going out of it, from the regional scale and on cross sections.

March 15, 2017

Regional Groundwater Modeling with MODFLOW and Model Muse

March 15, 2017/ Saul Montoya

Groundwater modelling can be done on multiple temporal and spatial scales, from a laboratory setup to a complete basin, from steady-state to thousands of years. Each modelling requirement has a specific discretization and boundary condition setup. This tutorial cover a regional groundwater modelling example on a andean basin on steady state conditions, the tutorial covers the whole set of modelling steps as grid generation and elevation import as well as the model simulation and result evaluation. Numerical modelling was done in open source software as MODFLOW with Model Muse, both developed by the USGS.