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Low-Resolution Modeling of Dense Drainage Networks in Confining Layers.
P S Pauw1, S E A T M Van der Zee1, A Leijnse1
1Department of Soil Physics and Land Management, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Ground Water
|September 25, 2014
Summary
The De Lange (1999) conductance expression accurately simulates groundwater-surface water interaction in low-resolution models. This method is recommended for modeling salt and water fluxes to drainage networks, even with variable groundwater density.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology
- Numerical Modeling
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interaction is crucial for water resource management and is simulated using Cauchy boundary conditions in numerical models.
- Low-resolution models require accounting for resistance below the surface water bed in conductance parameterization for accurate GW-SW interaction simulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of three conductance expressions (Mehl and Hill, 2010; De Lange, 1999) in low-resolution numerical groundwater flow models.
- To determine the influence of variable groundwater density, vertical grid discretization, and combined ditch-tile drain simulation on model accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Investigated three conductance expressions, including those by Mehl and Hill (2010) and De Lange (1999).
- Assessed accuracy in simulating salt and water fluxes to a dense drainage network within a confined aquifer system under low-resolution conditions.
- Analyzed the impact of variable groundwater density, vertical grid discretization, and single-cell simulation of ditches and tile drains.
Main Results:
- The De Lange (1999) conductance expression demonstrated superior accuracy in low-resolution models by better accounting for subsurface flow resistance.
- Variable groundwater density and vertical grid discretization had minimal impact on the accuracy of the De Lange (1999) expression under the studied conditions.
Conclusions:
- The De Lange (1999) conductance expression is recommended for simulating GW-SW interaction in hydrogeological conditions similar to those studied.
- Accurate parameterization of conductance, considering subsurface resistance, is vital for reliable low-resolution groundwater flow modeling.
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