『Abstract
Groundwater flow models have been used to estimate the amount
of exchange flow and the residence time distribution of stream
water in the hyporheic zone. However, reliability of these predictions
have not been tested. We ask the questions: (1) how reliable are
hyporheic groundwater models in typical applications examining
hyporheic exchange flows? and (2) how does the reliability change
with increased data availability and model sophistication? We
developed groundwater flow models of the hyporheic zone for a
mountain stream in the Hj Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon.
The models are based on surveyed topography and hydraulic conductivity
(K) measurements from both slug tests and a well-to-well tracer
test. We developed several models using different methods to estimate
two of the most uncertain parameters - K and the depth and shape
of the bedrock boundary. We first tested the goodness of the fit
of each model to the water levels observed in a network of wells
and piezometers. Results showed that differences among models
in predicted heads were quite small, whereas differences among
estimated hyporheic fluxes varied by a factor of two. We then
tested the model predictions of tracer arrival times to each well
in the network during a stream-tracer injection. Comparison of
simulated and observed travel times showed that increased model
sophistication did not lead to improved model reliability, because
travel time predictions from the homogeneous model were equal
to, or better than, the predictions from the heterogeneous models.
While general trends in solute breakthrough were correct in the
models, K data from even 37 wells in a 15 m by 50 m model domain
were insufficient to characterize detailed arrival times accurately.
This suggests that geomorphic data may be sufficient to predict
water fluxes through the subsurface and approximate travel times.
However, for detailed analysis of solute transport pathways and
breakthroughs, intensive sampling of the subsurface may be necessary.
Keywords: MODFLOW; MT3D; Verification; Validation; Hyporheic zone;
Tracers』
Introduction
Methods
Study site description
MODFLOW simulations
Grid cell size
Effect of interpolation method
Sediment depth and shape of bedrock boundary
Model simulations and analyses
Results
Effects of grid cell size
Effect of interpolation method and the depth and shape of bedrock
boundary
Solute transport simulations
Further analysis of model A1/B1 - the best fitting model
Discussion
Effect of grid cell size
Evaluation of model fits
Effect of boundary conditions in hyporheic investigations
Accuracy of modeled hyporheic discharge
Other thoughts on applying groundwater flow models to hyporheic
investigations
Acknowledgements
References