This video demonstrates the use of Interactive Groundwater (IGW) to create a simple, 2-dimensional groundwater flow model. A simple rectangular model domain is created with uniform hydraulic conductivity and prescribed head boundaries along the east and west edges and no-flow boundaries along the north and south edges. The model is discretized and run to solve for the groundwater head – the solution shows the head contours and corresponding flow directions. A pumping well is placed near the eastern edge of the model and the impact of this additional sink term on the groundwater flow is shown. This video illustrates the ease of creating a simple groundwater flow model using IGW and also how the model can be easily modified in real-time.

The steps to create the model are outlined briefly:

(1)    Choose the unit system: Utilities - Set Global Units

(2)    Access ‘Model Scale and Basemap’, and set the extent of the modeling workspace.

(3)    Create polygon representing modeling extent (aquifer); edit in ‘Attributes Explorer’ (AE)

·         ‘Flow properties’ tab - Set hydraulic conductivity (constant)

·         ‘Elevations’ tab - Set top elevation (constant); set bottom elevation (constant)

(4)    Create “river” polygon along left boundary of model; edit in AE

·         ‘Source and Sinks’ tab - head-dependent flux (two-way)

o Assign ‘River’ title

o Set stage to constant value; set bottom elevation of the river

o Set leakance (constant)

(5)    Create a prescribed head polygon along the right boundary (constant)

(6)    Discretize the model

(7)    Run the model (solve the GW problem); flow patterns displayed

(8)    Insert a pumping well using the ‘well’ icon; assign a constant value

(9)    Discretize and run the model; note the new flow pattern that has developed

(10)Save the IGW conceptual model