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Conversion of the IDWR/UI groundwater flow model to MODFLOW: the Snake River Plain aquifer model (SRPAM) Item Info

The ground-water flow model of the Snake River Plain aquifer developed and used by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) and University of Idaho has been modified and calibrated several times since its creation in the 1970s. This report documents another step in the evolution of this model. The most recent changes to the model include the conversion from a specially developed model code to the U.S. Geological Survey's MODFLOW code and an extension of the model domain to include the northeast corner of the Snake River Plain aquifer. Comparison of the simulation results for the April 1980 through march 1981 period verified that the conversion to MODFLOW did not change any significant features of the model and that the previous model generated reproducible results. The equivalent model adapted to the MODFLOW code allows for easier and wider use among scientists and facilitates application of commercial user interfaces and provides greater opportunities for model enhancement. Extension of the model domain to the northeast allows the inclusion of reaches of the Snake River that were previously not simulated. The introduction of 110 new model cells required that a localized calibration be performed that was consistent with the 1997 calibration of the previous model domain. A localized transient calibration was performed to the April 1980 through March 1981 period. The calibrated model replicated river gains and losses in the northeast portion of the model well; however, differences in simulated and measured aquifer heads were relatively large in some areas. Part of the difference is attributed to uncertainties in the estimates of initial aquifer head and inconsistencies with the understanding of river gains and losses. Submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Resources Review.

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Title:
Conversion of the IDWR/UI groundwater flow model to MODFLOW: the Snake River Plain aquifer model (SRPAM)
Authors:
Johnson, Gary S.; Cosgrove, Donna M.; Laney, Sherry
Date Created (ISO Standard):
1999-06
Description:
The ground-water flow model of the Snake River Plain aquifer developed and used by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) and University of Idaho has been modified and calibrated several times since its creation in the 1970s. This report documents another step in the evolution of this model. The most recent changes to the model include the conversion from a specially developed model code to the U.S. Geological Survey's MODFLOW code and an extension of the model domain to include the northeast corner of the Snake River Plain aquifer. Comparison of the simulation results for the April 1980 through march 1981 period verified that the conversion to MODFLOW did not change any significant features of the model and that the previous model generated reproducible results. The equivalent model adapted to the MODFLOW code allows for easier and wider use among scientists and facilitates application of commercial user interfaces and provides greater opportunities for model enhancement. Extension of the model domain to the northeast allows the inclusion of reaches of the Snake River that were previously not simulated. The introduction of 110 new model cells required that a localized calibration be performed that was consistent with the 1997 calibration of the previous model domain. A localized transient calibration was performed to the April 1980 through March 1981 period. The calibrated model replicated river gains and losses in the northeast portion of the model well; however, differences in simulated and measured aquifer heads were relatively large in some areas. Part of the difference is attributed to uncertainties in the estimates of initial aquifer head and inconsistencies with the understanding of river gains and losses. Submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Resources Review.
Subjects:
Aquifers Computer models Computer simulation Water budget Groundwater management
Location:
Snake River Basin; Southern Idaho
Latitude:
42.96
Longitude:
-115.13
Collection:
Boise Basin
Series:
SRPAM
IWRRI number:
199904
Rights:
Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/
Publisher:
Idaho Water Resources Research Institute; University of Idaho
Contributing Institution:
University of Idaho
Type:
Text
Format:
application/pdf
Cataloger:
KIT
Date Digitized:
2017-09-29

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Source
Preferred Citation:
"Conversion of the IDWR/UI groundwater flow model to MODFLOW: the Snake River Plain aquifer model (SRPAM)", Idaho Waters Digital Library, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/iwdl/items/iwdl-199904.html
Rights
Rights:
Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/
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