MODFLOW-NWT model used to evaluate groundwater/surface-water interactions in the Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin
Dates
Release Date
2016-01-01
Start Date
1980-01-01
End Date
2011-01-01
Publication Date
2023-09-15
Citation
Leaf, A.T., Fienen, M.N., Hunt, R.J., and Buchwald, C., 2016, MODFLOW-NWT model used to evaluate groundwater/surface-water interactions in the Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7Z0368H.
Summary
A groundwater-flow model was developed for the Bad River Watershed and surrounding area by using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) finite-difference code MODFLOW–NWT. The model simulates steady-state groundwater-flow and base flow in streams by using the streamflow routing (SFR) package. The model was calibrated to groundwater levels and base flows obtained from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database, and groundwater levels obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Bad River Band well-construction databases. Calibration was performed via nonlinear regression by using the parameter-estimation software suite PEST.
Summary
A groundwater-flow model was developed for the Bad River Watershed and surrounding area by using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) finite-difference code MODFLOW–NWT. The model simulates steady-state groundwater-flow and base flow in streams by using the streamflow routing (SFR) package. The model was calibrated to groundwater levels and base flows obtained from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database, and groundwater levels obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Bad River Band well-construction databases. Calibration was performed via nonlinear regression by using the parameter-estimation software suite PEST.
The model was used to: (1) develop an improved understanding of the groundwater-flow system in the Bad River Watershed at the regional scale, including the sources of water to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation (Reservation) and groundwater/surface-water interactions; (2) provide a quantitative platform for evaluating future impacts to the watershed, which can be used as a starting point for more detailed investigations at the local scale; and (3) identify areas where more data are needed.
Preview Image
Image of the model domain and active area of the model.