Groundwater Data Model Research
By Kellie Potucek
In an effort to standardize the process for groundwater data assembly and storage, a groundwater data model is in the works at the University of Texas Center for Research in Water Resources. Graduate student, Gil Strassberg, and his advising professor, David Maidment, began their research on the new data model, Arc Hydro Groundwater, in March of 2003.
“By modeling groundwater systems, we develop a better understanding of how water flows in the subsurface, therefore enabling better management and utilization of this resource,” explains Strassberg.
Wide acceptance and implementation of Arc Hydro, a surface water data model, highlighted the need for a complementing groundwater information system. This need was amplified by current conflicting methodology in describing groundwater information such as geologic layers. Without a standard, cooperation and data sharing between individuals within the groundwater field is difficult and the water planning process is hindered.
While a number of environmental agencies are confronting the task of data assembly, CRWR’s research is unique in that the final product will provide a full conceptual model of groundwater systems. The researchers’ ultimate goal is to integrate Arc Hydro with the new groundwater component in order to describe surface water and groundwater simultaneously.
Through researching existing data models, Strassberg is identifying relevant aspects of groundwater systems, such as aquifers, wells, cross sections, and solids, to be incorporated in the new data model. Additionally, he has begun to establish a method to conceptually describe three dimensional subsurface properties and represent measurements at wells and boreholes.
As part of the data model design process, a data model interface was designed for MODFLOW, the most common software package used in groundwater modeling, the interface data model allows for the storing of inputs and outputs within geographic information systems. The interface has been tested to integrate model inputs and outputs from the Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Availability Models.
The groundwater component of Arc Hydro is estimated to be complete by the summer of 2005.
