Introduction to Groundwater Modeling Using MODFLOW

Instructors: Michael Fienen, Joseph Hughes, Chris Langevin, and Josh Larsen

January 9-13, 2023

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

This 5-day course presents an introduction to groundwater flow simulation using MODFLOW. The course will be taught using the newly released version of MODFLOW, MODFLOW 6. In addition to discussing the feature and mechanics of using MODFLOW 6, this course provides a review of the basic concepts of ground-water flow and emphasizes the process of simulation analysis. A series of problem sets are presented that are designed to illustrate concepts such as the development of conceptual models and strategies for model calibration. This course is intended as an introduction to groundwater flow modeling. Hydrologists with extensive modeling experience looking primarily for an introduction to the new features of MODFLOW 6 should not take this course.

Schedule

The course will start every morning at 8 am and end around 4:30 pm every day.

Organization

Students will use their own laptop computers during the class. Microsoft Windows 7 or later is required. Students will be notified about the class agenda, options for hotel accommodations, and specific classroom information at a later date.

Monday

  8:00  Introductions
  8:30  Lecture - Overview of Groundwater Flow and Governing Equations
  9:45  Break
 10:00  Lecture - Overview of Finite-Difference Methods
 11:30  Lunch
 12:30  Lecture – MODFLOW Background
  1:00  Lecture – Getting Started with MODFLOW 6
  1:45  Break
  2:00  Introduction to Problem 1 – Basic steady-state flow simulation
  2:15  Workshop – Building the MODFLOW data files for Problem 1
  4:00  FloPy Demo – Problem 1
  4:30  Adjourn

Tuesday

  8:00  Lecture – Simulation Output
  8:30  Lecture – Introduction to pre- and post-processing tools for the class
  9:00  Workshop – Problem 1 (continued)
 10:00  Discussion – Problem 1
 10:30  Lecture – Matrix Solvers
 11:30  Lunch
 12:30  Lecture – Storage (STO) and Traditional Stress Packages
  1:30  Break
  2:00  Introduction to Problem 2 – Stress packages and transient flow
  2:15  Workshop – Problem 2
  4:30  Adjourn

Wednesday

  8:00  Workshop – Problem 2 (continued)
  9:00  Discussion - Problem 2
  9:30  Lecture/Workshop – ZoneBudget
 10:00  Break
 10:30  Lecture – Model Calibration
 11:30  Lunch
 12:30  Introduction to the McDonald Valley Calibration Problem
  1:00  Workshop – Planning phase
  2:00  Discussion – Group plans
  2:30  Workshop – Calibration with existing data
  4:30  Adjourn

 

Thursday

  8:00  Lecture - Field Data Collection Options
  8:15  Workshop – Field Data Collection and Calibration Refinement
 10:15  Lecture - Model Projection Runs
 10:30  Workshop – Generate Model Projections
 11:30  Lunch
 12:30  Workshop – Generate Model Projections (continued)
  2:00  Discussion – McDonald Valley Problem
  2:30  Break
  3:15  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topic: Lake Package
  4:30  Adjourn

Friday

  8:00  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: Streamflow Routing Package
  9:00  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: Water Mover Package
  9:30  Lecture – Advanced Topics: MAW/UZF Packages
 10:00  Break
 10:15  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: Unstructured Grids
 10:45  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: XT3D
 11:30  Lunch
 12:30  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: Newton Formulation
  1:00  Lecture/Workshop – Advanced Topics: Local Grid Refinement
  1:45  Break
  2:00  Lecture – MODPATH Particle Tracking Overview
  3:00  Workshop – MODPATH Problem
  3:30  Lecture – Groundwater Transport Model
  4:00  Wrap-up
  4:30  Adjourn