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‘New MODFLOW Course’ slated for September

(WESTERVILLE, OH — August 5, 2011) "The New MODFLOW Course: Theory and Hands-on Applications," will be held September 13-16 in Princeton, New Jersey, by the National Ground Water Association.

This four-day course presents the theory behind MODFLOW-2005 and its related programs — MODPATH, ZoneBudget, MT3D, RT3D — and illustrates the practical development of three-dimensional groundwater flow and transport models using Visual MODFLOW.

The course introduces the modeling process including conceptual model development, numerical model implementation, model calibration, and model predictions. It alternates between lectures and laboratory exercises to illustrate the attributes and usefulness of MODFLOW-2005 using Visual MODFLOW Premium. WinPEST is also used to perform automated parameter estimation to evaluate the quality of model calibration.

Participants will spend two-and-a-half days of the four-day course using the computer to complete laboratory exercises. The course goes beyond introductory topics and provides advice on how to choose appropriate parameter distributions and model boundaries to develop defensible models of the groundwater system. Participants will gain a more complete understanding of the integration of GIS and Visual MODFLOW for the development of groundwater models and for the presentation of model results.

Groundwater resource applications that are covered include model calibration using groundwater heads and flows, comparison of MODFLOW solvers, new well development, and capture zone delineation. Contaminant transport topics include transport model development, model calibration to contaminant concentrations, source area design, choice of appropriate concentration boundary conditions, and comparison of transport solvers and three-dimensional visualization of flow and transport results.

In this course, participants will learn how to use:

Visual MODFLOW for their three-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport projects
Three-dimensional numerical models with proper grid designs, parameterization, boundary conditions, and site hydrogeologic conceptualization
Modeling results to observe field data (heads, flows, and concentrations)
MODPATH to model three-dimensional particle tracking for capture zone delineation
ZoneBudget to assess subregional water budgets within the model domain
MT3D to model the natural attenuation of contaminants
WinPEST to improve model calibration and assess uncertainty.

This course is appropriate for novice and experienced groundwater modeling professionals. The complete range of topics covered will provide the novice modeler with the knowledge base required for starting a project, while the advanced topics covered will provide experienced professionals with insight into better modeling practices. A background of basic knowledge of the theory and concepts of groundwater flow is required.

The course instructors are:

Daniel Gomes, Schlumberger Water Services' Sacramento operations manager. Prior to this position, Gomes was general manager of Waterloo Hydrogeologic Inc., a world leader in the development and applications of groundwater flow, transport software, and modeling.
Robert "Bob" W. Cleary, Ph.D., currently a groundwater consultant and an adjunct professor in the groundwater program at the University of Waterloo. Considered one of the outstanding teachers in the field, he is a principal lecturer in NGWA's MODFLOW course, as well as Princeton Groundwater's "The Groundwater Pollution and Hydrology Course' and "The Remediation Course."

To learn more about this course, as well as the many other NGWA educational programs, visit the events/education section of our Web site or call 800 551.7379 (614 898.7791).

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NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA's vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.

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