Aquifer Management via

MODFLOW Modeling in the Cloud

Norm Jones, BYU

James Greer, David Jones, Utah-DWR
Alan Lemon, Thomas Griffiths, Aquaveo
 Arc Hydro Groundwater

Data model and tools for managing

groundwater data in ArcGIS
Arc Hydro GW Data Model
 Arc Hydro GW Tools
Groundwater Analyst

MODFLOW Analyst

Subsurface Analyst
Automated Well Impact Analysis

Groundwater Resource management

with Arc Hydro Groundwater and
MODFLOW Analyst
Problem: Overstressed aquifers, groundwater
mining, subsidence

Solution: Use better science in aquifer

management
 Methodology
Calibrated regional model is
imported to ArcGIS as a
baseline model

Candidate wells are added to

baseline model using well
package

Impact of new well is

analyzed using
MODFLOW
 Candidate Well Analysis
Step 1: Create a new feature in the Well feature class using
data associated with candidate well (coordinates, pumping
rate, screen elevations).

New Well (HydroID = 1001)

Candidate Well Analysis
Step 2: Create new instances in the WEL table.

Use GP tool that creates MODFLOW instances based on

the location of the well and the screen elevations and finds
the appropriate MODFLOW cell.

CellID represents MODFLOW i, j, k values

SourceID is the HydroID of the well feature

Candidate Well Analysis
Step 3: Export the new well data to the MODFLOW text file
Candidate Well Analysis

Step 4: Run MODFLOW simulation with candidate well

 Candidate Well Analysis
Step 5: Read solution and compare to base simulation

Analyze criteria applicable to situation/agency

Develop reports
 Well Permitting Workflow

Create new well update well table export well package file run MODFLOW
import solution build drawdown map layer
Case Study #1

Virginia Department of Environmental

Quality Well Permitting System
The Virginia Coastal Plain
The Virginia Coastal Plain - Hydrogeology
The Virginia Coastal Plain - Groundwater
The Virginia Coastal Plain - Groundwater
Current Drawdown > 200 ft
VA Groundwater Management Act of 1992
 Groundwater Withdrawal Permits
Currently 311 active or
applications

Required for facilities

>300,000 gal/month

10 Year Cycles

Technical Evaluations
Requirements
Run appropriate regional
model
Determine Area of Impact
(AOI)
Evaluate 80% drawdown
criteria
Prepare maps
Submit report and files
Select Applicable Model

Coastal Plain
MODFLOW
Model

Near Shore
SEAWAT
Model
 Area of Impact
Region where drawdown > one ft
 Evaluate Critical Surface
Pre-Development Head

Drawdown
Used Max
Current Head Allowable
Drawdown
Drawdown
Remaining 80% Criterion Head

Screened
Aquifer
 Run Automated Workflows

Remove facility wells export well package file run baseline SEAWAT simulation
import solution create new wells update well table export well package file
run SEAWAT import solution build drawdown & critical cell map layers
Prepare Maps and Report
Case Study #2

Utah Division of Water Rights Web-based

Groundwater Simulation Tool
Model Results

28
Impact on Springs

29
PDF Output

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32
For more information
Thank You

Norm Jones
njones@byu.edu

www.archydrogw.com

www.aquaveo.com/archydro