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Water Availability Modeling Services
The effective management of water resources frequently requires quantitative assessments of aquifer availability, aquifer sustainability, and the mechanisms of recharge and discharge, including the interaction of surface water and groundwater. These assessments require a detailed analysis of aquifer flow dynamics. Numerical models provide the best means to quantitatively represent the essential features of the actual groundwater system. Through a quantitative understanding of cause and effect relationships, these models are used to make predictions and forecasts for a defined set of conditions. When properly developed and applied, groundwater models enable complex water availability analyses to be conducted and facilitate informed water resources decision-making.
While many firms provide modeling services, INTERA offers modeling expertise. Developing and applying complex groundwater models has been one of our core competencies for over 30 years. Our personnels expertise in numerical methods and coding allows us to readily modify existing codes to address specific project needs and requirements. INTERA`s experience includes applying parameter estimation methods and using a state-of-the-technology distributed processing computer cluster to calibrate large and complex models. We apply models to a wide range of water resource projects, and recently co-developed an integrated surface water/groundwater model that couples MODFLOW and HSPF to allow simulation of the complete water cycle when near surface processes dominate.
We recognize that a numerical model represents only one of the tools needed to support water management decisions and that the concepts of water availability and sustainability do not lend themselves to a one-size fits all approach. Sustainable management of water resources requires a framework that considers aquifer dynamics and environmental and socioeconomic issues. INTERA not only develops accurate water availability modeling tools, but provides the decision analysis support needed to address the larger issues of water resource availability and sustainability.
Our water availability modeling services include:
Data collection, management, and analysis
- Aquifer characterization
- Statistical and geostatistical analysis of hydrologic data
- Stream-aquifer interaction studies
- Recharge and evapotranspiration quantification
Model development and application
- Regional and local-scale evaluations
- Integrated surface water-groundwater modeling
- Variable-density modeling (e.g., saltwater intrusion)
- Injection-extraction processes
Modeling analyses and decision support
- Optimization of water supply well fields
- Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses
- Aquifer availability and managed available groundwater assessments
- Aquifer sustainability assessments
Communication and support activities
- Stakeholder and public outreach (e.g., meetings, electronic media)
- Model training
- Expert review and litigation support