EAA Groundwater Modeling Initiatives Presented to: National Academy of Sciences National Research Council Committee Presented by: Geary M. Schindel Chief Technical Officer Aquifer Sciences

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EAA Groundwater Modeling InitiativesPresented
toNational Academy of Sciences National
Research Council CommitteePresented byGeary
M. SchindelChief Technical OfficerAquifer
Sciences Program ManagerEdwards Aquifer
Authority
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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (1999)

• lt 1999 Edwards Aquifer models produced by US
  Geological Survey (USGS), Edwards Aquifer
  Research Data Center (EARDC), and Texas Water
  Development Board (TWBD) (GWSIM IV)
• Optimization Technical Studies Report (May 1999)
• Model development one of 17 research initiatives

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (1999)

• USGS and TBEG selected as contractor
• EAA, Department of Defense (DOD), San Antonio
  Water Systems (SAWS), and USGS were funding
  partners
• Formed Groundwater Modeling Advisory Panel (GMAP)
  to provide oversight to contractors
• MODFLOW groundwater modeling software selected

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (1999 2004)

• GMAP composed of representatives from EAA, SAWS,
  TWDB, Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), DOD,
  two outside karst scientists and four consultants
• Oversight and guidance to USGS and Texas Bureau
  Economic Geology (BEG)
• How to model convergent/turbulent flow system
  using a laminar flow model
• No good numerical models for karst
• Recharge, dry cells, springs, faults, etc.

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (1999 2004)

• Model to be used for
• Demand Management/Critical Period Management
  Issues
• Enhanced recharge evaluations
• Evaluation of aquifer cap issues
• HCP
• ASR
• Spring Augmentation
• Recharge and Recirculation

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (2004)

• USGS MODFLOW model completed in 2004.
• Management modules

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (2011)

• 2011 Groundwater Model Initiative
• Improve confidence in modeling efforts
• Provide additional research tool
• Improve model resolutions
• MODFLOW
• Verification and post audit process
• Finite Element initiative

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (2012)

• Finite Element initiative
• March 2012
• SWRI Contractor Selected
• Groundwater Model Review Panel formed
• Martin Saar
• Neven Kresic
• Bill Hutchison
• James Beach (appointed by SAWS)

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (2011 2014)

• MODFLOW model updates initiated
• Data Set updates (2001 2009)
• Model Verification process
• Post Audit

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Groundwater Modeling Initiatives (2014)

• Two current EAA modeling initiatives
• MODFLOW Post Audit Updates
• Finite Element Model
• Both to be completed by December 2014
• EAA Modeling efforts are a continuous
  improvement process