GROUNDWATER MODELING WITH PMWIN

K.B.V.N.Phanindra, PhD
Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Hyderabad

2 Day Workshop on Groundwater

Modeling with MODFLOW, 26-27 Dec 2014

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

GROUNDWATER MODELING WITH PMWIN

Presentation Outline
Need for GW Modeling

Mathematical Modeling of GW
Introduction to USGS - MODFLOW
Need for GUI to MODFLOW
Working with GW Model using PMWIN

Problem Statement

Creating the Model

Assigning Model data

Perform flow simulation

Analysis of Results (water budget, hydraulic heads)

GROUNDWATER MODELING
Model A device that represents an approximation of field situation
Physical Model Simulates groundwater flows directly (laboratory sand
tanks)
Mathematical Model Simulates groundwater flow through a set of
mathematical equations (physical process) and boundary conditions

Time dependent problems require initial distribution of heads/flows to

solve the system (initial condition)
Mathematical Models can be solved:
a) Analytically Provides solution on continuous spatial domain;
simplistic assumptions; accurate/exact solution

b) Numerically Provides solutions at discrete nodes/elements ;

realistic/complex assumptions; approximate solution

GROUNDWATER MODELING ..

Physical Model

Conceptual Model

Numerical Model
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NEED FOR GW MODELING

GW Models are used for THREE reasons:
1) To predict (deterministic) or forecast (probabilistic) the aquifer

response under climate / anthropogenic changes

2) To describe (simulate) the aquifer system to analyze various
assumptions
3) To generate a hypothetical system to study the principles of
groundwater flow system

Numerical GW Models: simulates ground-water flow and/or solute

fate and transport indirectly by means of a set of governing

equations thought to represent the physical processes that occur in

the system

NEED FOR GW MODELING ..

GW Model Types:
1) Predictive Used to predict the future; Require calibration

2) Interpretive Used as a framework to study system dynamics

and/or organizing field data; does not require calibration
3) Generic To analyze flow in a hypothetical hydro-geologic sytem;
to frame regulatory guidelines
To answer few questions:

1) What GW level changes are expected in next 10 years ?

2) How, changes in stream flows affect GW levels in alluvial aquifer ?

3) What is the pathway for contaminants, due to a leak in sub-surface

storage system ?

MODELING PROTOCOL
Steps in Modeling:

1) Establish purpose
2) Develop conceptual
framework
3) Select numerical model
and code
4) Model design
5) Calibration
6) Sensitivity
7) Model verification
8) Prediction
9) Predictive sensitivity
10) Presentation of Model
Results
11) Post Audit

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF GW
Components of the Model:

Governing equation Darcys law + Water budget (Continuity)

equation with head as dependent variable

Boundary conditions Boundary fluxes (sources/sinks)

Initial conditions required only for transient (un-steady)

simulation
Methods/Views of GW Modeling:
1) Aquifer view point For analysis of flow into pumping wells; has
analytical solutions (Theis, Jacob); flow is horizontal in the aquifer and
vertical through confining beds; simulates 2-D horizontal flow in aquifers

2)

Flow system view point 3-D distribution of heads; Allows both

horizontal and vertical components of flows; numerical solution

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF GW ..
General form of GW flow equation (aquifer view):

Where:
General form of GW flow equation (flow system view):

And

INTRODUCTION TO USGS - MODFLOW

MODFLOW is the US Geological Survey modular finite-difference flow
model, which is a computer code to solve groundwater flow equation
Public Domain (Free), Open Source, Written in FORTRAN, Compiled using
Windows and Linux machines
Extensively documented, user groups, and tutorials

MODFLOW widely used numerical groundwater model in the world

External Fluxes

Internal characteristics of the basin

Constant
head

Constant
flux

Head
dependent

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INTRODUCTION TO USGS MODFLOW ..

Versions: MODFLOW-88, 96, 2000, 2005
GUI (Commercial): GMS, Groundwater Vistas, Visual MODFLOW,
Processing MODFLOW, ArgusONE
GUI (Non-Commercial): MODFLOW-GUI, PMWIN, Model Muse, mflab
MODFLOW Packages:

Required: BAS, DIS, OC, NAM

Groundwater Flow: BCF/LPF, HFB
Specified Head: CHD
Specified Flux: RCH, WEL
Head Dependent Flux: DRN, ETS,EVT, GHB, RIP, SFR, STR

Solver: GMG, PCG, SIP, SOR

Observation: HOB, DROB, ROB, GBOB, CHOB

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NEED FOR GUI TO MODFLOW

Have a Look at the Files used by MODFLOW:

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NEED FOR GUI TO MODFLOW ..

Have a Look at the same Files, inputted through a GUI:

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NEED FOR GUI TO MODFLOW ..

Advantages of using GUI:
1) No worry of FORTRAN formatting

2) No worry of Spelling / Listing errors

3) No Worry of linking the files, Fortran unit numbering system, etc.
4) No need to track HUGE (and confusing) datasets
5) Ease of entering input data (particularly, during repetitions)
6) Quickly change/edit/modify the datasets

7) Import/Export the data between MODFLOW and other file format

(GIS / TXT/ASCII/GRID)

8) View/analyze the simulation results graphically

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9) Save/Print graphical/text output easily, and link to other models

INTRODUCTION TO PMWIN
Processing Modflow for WINdows
Graphical user interface to MODFLOW-96 (and, PMPATH, MT3D,

MOC3D, PEST, and UCODE)

Create and simulate the MODFLOW files very easily
Latest Version: PMWIN 5.3 Public Domain (Free) Software
Fully Documented and extensive Tutorials
Components:

1) PMPATH Particle Tracking Model

2) MT3D 3-D Advective-dispersive-reactive transport model

3) MOC3D Transport model for dissolved chemical constituents

4) PEST and UCODE Data interpretation and model calibration 15

WORKING WITH GW MODEL USING PMWIN

Problem Statement
Isolate the contaminated area using a fully penetrated pumping well

located next to the eastern boundary

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WORKING WITH GW MODEL USING PMWIN ..

Datasets (Given)
Aquifer system with TWO stratigraphic units
Bounded by No-Flow boundaries along North and South
Bounded by Constant/Fixed head (River) boundaries along East (8 m)
and West (9 m)

Un-confined, isotropic aquifer system

Ground surface elevation = 10 m

Layer_1 (Kh = 0.0001 m/s ; Kv = 10% of Kh), Thickness = 4 m

Layer_2 (Kh = 0.0005 m/s ; Kv = 10% of Kh), Thickness = 6 m
Constant recharge rate = 8 x 10-9 m/s

Calculate required pumping rate (from the well), so that the

contaminated site lies within the capture zone of the aquifer

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STEPS USED IN FLOW SIMULATION WITH PMWIN

1) Create a NEW Model (.pm5)
2) Assign all model data (input sets)
3) Perform flow simulation
4) Check/Verify simulation results
5) Calculate sub-regional water budget

6) Produce text/graphical output

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STEP 1 : CREATE NEW MODEL

Double Click the PMWIN icon, to open the software
First Step is to create a New Model (in a separate folder)

Create a Folder Titled YourName_Tutorial

File New Model Tutorial_1.pm5 OK
Just see, what files (extensions) are stored in the Folder
.pm5 ASCII PMWIN File extension
.pol BINARY Boreholes and Observations

.ppl BINARY Parameter list for PEST

.TRN BINARY Time parameter list

.upl BINARY Parameter list for UCODE

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING

Data types:
Model grid data For cell based FD simulation

Hydro-geologic data Layers, elevations, aquifer types

Hydraulic data Conductivity, Transmissivity, Anisotrpy
Storage data Specific yield, storage coefficient
Source/Sink data Evapotranspiration, Recharge flux, Pumping,
Aquifer-stream interaction,

Transport data Effective porosity,

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Generate the Model Grid
Grid Mesh Size

Layers = 3 ; Columns & Rows = 30 ; Size = 20

Use Shift Grid Tool, and bring the Model to the Center
Leave Editor Save
Generate the Model Layer Types

Grid Layer Type

1 = Un-confined ; 2 = Confined ; 3 = Confined

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Input Model Boundary Array
Grid Boundary Condition IBOUND (MODFLOW)

1) Value Matrix Edit each cell

2) Right Click on any cell, and specify the value
1 = active cell (head is computed);
0 = inactive cell (doesnot take part in simulation);
-1 = constant cell (head is constant/time varying specified head)

Use Duplication Tool to copy the value to other cells

For other model layers:

Use PgDn or PgUp and use Layer Copy Tool

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Layer TOP Elevations
Grid TOP of Layers

1) Value Matrix Edit each cell

2) Value Reset Matrix 10 OK
Leave Editor Save
Layer BOTTOM Elevations
Grid Bottom of Layers

Value Reset Matrix 6 OK

PgDn Value Reset Matrix 3 OK

PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0 OK

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Temporal Parameters (Un-steady)
Parameters Time
1 Stress period ; Time unit = seconds ; Length = 9.46728E+07 (?) ;
Steady state Simulation OK
Initial Hydraulic Heads

Parameters Initial Hydraulic Heads

Along left most column : 9
Right click Specify 9 Use Duplication Tool
Along right most column : 8 ; For all remaining active cells : 8
Use Layer Copy Tool and do for other layers PgDn

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Horizontal Hydraulic Conductivity
Parameters Hori. Hyd. Conductivity
Value Reset Matrix 0.0001 OK
PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.0005 OK
PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.0005 OK

Leave Editor Save

Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity (Anisotropy = 10)
Parameters Vertical Hyd. Conductivity
Value Reset Matrix 0.00001 OK
PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.00005 OK

PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.00005 OK

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Effective Porosity (For PMPATH)
Parameters Effective Porosity
Value Reset Matrix 0.25 OK
PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.25 OK
PgDn Value Reset Matrix 0.25 OK

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 2 : DATA PROCESSING ..

Recharge Flux (Source)
Models MODFLOW Recharge
Value Reset Matrix 8E-9 OK
Leave Editor Save
Pumping Rates (Sink)

Models MODFLOW Well

Pumping rate for each model layer (Qk) and Total pumping rate from

the model (Qtot) are related as: =

Move the grid curser to [25 5 1], Right click

Use PgDn to move to next layers

Layer 1 = -1E-10 ; Layer 2 = -1E-10 ; Layer 3 = - 0.0012

Leave Editor Save

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STEP 3 : FLOW SIMULATION

Recharge Flux (Source)
Models MODFLOW Run
Select the MODFLOW Input Packages to be generated
BAS Basic;
BCF Block Centered Flow;

OC Output Control;
WEL Well;
RCH Recharge;
SOLVER Solving simultaneous equations;
MPATH Particle Tracking

OK OK
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STEP 4 : ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION RESULTS

Check Simulation Output
Open the File : OUTPUT.DAT
1) Observe Water Budget for the Entire Model (for different time
steps / stress periods)
2) Maximum Head Change for Each Iteration

3) Maximum Residual for each iteration

4) Packages used by MODFLOW and their UNITS
5) Percent Discrepancy in water budget

* Infer From the Simulation Results *

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STEP 4 : ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION RESULTS ..

Estimation of Sub-regional Water budget
Tools Water Budget Zones
Assign Zone 1 to Layer 1 ; Zone 2 to Layer 2
Zone number of 0 Cell is not associated with any zone
Value Reset Matrix 1

PgDn
Value Reset Matrix 2
Leave Editor Save

Check the File WATERBDG.DAT to see sub-regional water budget

results. Observe the components

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STEP 4 : ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION RESULTS ..

Generate Contour Maps of Hydraulic Heads
Tools Presentation
Value Matrix
Load Brose for Heads_1.DAT OK
Options Environment

Contours Visible Restore Defaults OK

File Save / Print Plot
Leave Editor Save

Analyze Groundwater Contour

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STEP 4 : ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION RESULTS ..

Delineate Capture Zone of Pumping Well
Models PMPATH
(The advective transport model PMPATH will be activated)
Click on Set Particle + Tool
Drag the Mouse/Cross-hair to cover the entire pumping well

Particles on Circle: 16 ; R = 15 ; NK = 1
Properties Select appropriate colour OK
Repeat for other layers using PgDn and selecting different colours

Click backward particle tracking

Options Particle Tracking

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ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM
An un-confined aquifer is a coarse
grained sand with a measured isotropic
hydraulic conductivity of 160 m/day
Specific yield as 0.06. Recharge to the
aquifer only occurs throughout the 4 month
wet season at a rate of 7.5 10-4 m/day

The elevations of the aquifer top and

bottom are 25 m and 0 m, respectively.
The area of interest is 10000m long
by 6000m wide and is bounded by
no flow zones to the east and west.
A total of nine wells in the area are
each pumped at 45 l/s (3888 m3/d)
during the 8 month dry season to supply
water for irrigation and domestic
purposes.
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ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM ..
TASKS:
Assess the water levels in the aquifer under the following conditions:
1. steady-state, with the mean recharge rate = 2.510-4 m/day, no
pumping;

2. after 8 months pumping during the dry season; and

3. the degree of recovery of the water levels by the end of the following
wet season.

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ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM ..
STEPS IN THE MODELING:

1. Create a new model,

2. Define model size,
3. Refine model grid,
4. Assign model data,
5. Perform steady-state flow simulation,
6. Extract and view results
from the steady-state simulation,
Need A-3 Colour prints
7. Produce output from the steady-state simulation, and
8. Transient flow simulation.

Solution Available at:

Simcore/PMWIN5.3/Examples/Tutorials/Tutorial1
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