💧 IGW-NET Documentation

Six complementary pillars for learning, doing, and mastering groundwater modeling with IGW-NET.

▶ See IGW-NET in Action → 💧 Launch IGW-NET → 🤖 Ask IGW-NET AI →

Six Pillars of IGW-NET Documentation

Each pillar serves a distinct user need. Start wherever matches your question.

📖 Beginner's Manual — by Dr. George F. Pinder

A 111-page science-first introduction to groundwater flow and transport modeling with IGW-NET. Ten chapters cover model philosophy through transient transport, with 98+ annotated screenshots. Written by Dr. George F. Pinder (University of Vermont; founding editor, Advances in Water Resources) — the natural entry point for students and anyone new to groundwater modeling.

Groundwater Flow & Transport Modeling with IGW-NET

Dr. George F. Pinder, with Drs. Curtis, Li, and Liao
10 chapters · 98+ annotated screenshots · 111 pages

Covers the fundamentals: Darcy's law, governing equations, conceptual model development, boundary conditions, model execution, calibration, and contaminant transport. Uses IGW-NET as the vehicle for teaching groundwater science — complementary to the Users' Reference Manual, which focuses on the platform itself.

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📘 The Users' Reference Manual

Comprehensive 22-chapter reference covering the full modeling workflow — applicability, domain setup, aquifer attributes, vertical layering, boundary conditions, calibration, stochastic methods, and 33 common pitfalls with interface-based diagnostic recipes. Where Pinder's Beginner's Manual teaches the science, the Users' Reference Manual teaches the platform.

Open the full Users' Manual — all 29 chapters →

🎓 31 Quick Tutorials

Progressive skill-building — from your first 2D model through Monte Carlo uncertainty, 3D visualization, T-PROGS geology, and DataNET integration.

1
2D Steady Flow
Domain, boundaries, first simulation
2
Nested Models
Child inside parent, auto BC inheritance
3
Particle Tracking
Capture zones, wellhead protection
4
Water Balance
Inflows, outflows, storage analysis
5
Contaminant Transport
Plumes, dispersion, real-time migration
6
Vertical Layers
3D architecture, confining units
7
Transient Modeling
Time-varying pumping, seasonal recharge
8
Calibration
Match model to observations
9
Synthetic Model
Random heterogeneous aquifers
10
Aquifer Layers
Multi-layer systems, borehole data
11
Model Hierarchy
Multiscale parent-child analysis
12
Profile Modeling
Vertical cross-section, seepage, dams
13
Import Shapefiles
External GIS data into your model
14
Post-Analysis
Results, videos, scenario comparison
15
Stochastic Flow
Correlated random K fields
16
Monte Carlo Flow
Hundreds of realizations, uncertainty
17
MC Transport
Probabilistic plume, MCL exceedance risk
18
Probabilistic Capture
Monte Carlo wellhead delineation
19
Auto Calibration
PEST-based parameter estimation
20
Theis Solution
Pumping test analysis, T and S
21
Unstructured Grid
Nested refinement near wells, plumes
22
Unstructured Results
Analysis on refined grids
23
MODFLOW Analysis
Import external MODFLOW models
24
T-PROGS Geology
3D heterogeneity from borehole lithology
25
3D Visualization
Heads, vectors, pathlines in VTK
26
3D Point Data
Statistics, interpolation, iso-surfaces
27
DataNET Model
Model from federated web data services
28
Data & Regression
Noisy well records, filter, regression
Browse all 31 quick tutorials →

💡 Concepts

Deep-dive standalone articles on specific concepts — understand the why behind modeling choices, not just the how.

Browse all concepts →

📚 Case Studies

Real-world modeling projects walked through end-to-end — concept model, data sourcing, simulation, calibration, interpretation. See how experienced modelers approach full projects.

🛠️ Realtime Help Reference Library

150 per-element reference pages — every IGW-NET UI component, organized hierarchically for fast lookup.

💧 Browse the IGW-NET Reference Library →
Per-element reference for every IGW-NET UI component, hierarchically organized — open the dedicated reference index to navigate by topic area.

What's inside: Map navigation · grid setup · boundary conditions · pumping wells · transport · particle tracking · calibration · uncertainty · 3D visualization · model output

Why a separate index? Flat lists hide structure and overwhelm. The reference library groups related topics into clear categories so you find what you need in seconds, not minutes.
Map UIBoundary ConditionsWells & PumpingTransportCalibration3D Visualization
Open Reference Library →
Browse all 180 realtime help pages →

📚 USGS MODFLOW Family References

IGW-NET is built on the USGS MODFLOW family — the international standard for groundwater modeling. These are the authoritative reference manuals and software pages for each engine, hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey.

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MODFLOW 6

Current core engine — control-volume finite-difference, structured and unstructured grids, multi-model coupling
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MODFLOW-2005 & MODFLOW-NWT

Legacy core engines — the most widely used historical MODFLOW versions; NWT solver handles dry cells in unconfined aquifers
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MT3DMS & MT3D-USGS

Solute transport — multi-species advection, dispersion, sorption, reactive decay; MT3D-USGS is the actively maintained USGS continuation
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MODPATH

Particle tracking — capture zones, travel times, wellhead protection, contaminant pathlines (forward and reverse)
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SEAWAT

Variable-density flow — saltwater intrusion, brine migration, coupled MODFLOW + MT3DMS for density-dependent flow and transport
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🤖 Or ask the IGW-NET AI

Trained on all six documentation pillars. Answer workflow questions, interpret errors, point you to the right dialog or chapter.

Open IGW-NET AI → Launch IGW-NET → ← All Documentation
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