USGS Monthly Groundwater News and Highlights: May 1, 2016

Featured Product: FloPy, a Python package for creating, running, and post-processing MODFLOW-based models

FloPy generated map showing inactive parts of the model, stream boundary conditions, and simulated head and groundwater-flow directions. From Bakker and others, 2016.

Are you a groundwater modeler? Do you also code with Python? Then FloPy is for you!

FloPy is a Python package that enables scientists to

• construct MODFLOW-based groundwater flow and transport model input files,
• run the model, and
• read and plot simulation results.

For groundwater modelers, use of Python with its available scientific packages and FloPy facilitates

• data exploration,
• alternative model evaluations, and
• model analyses.

Perhaps the most important advantage of FloPy is that a script forms a record of the entire model construction process, which makes it transparent and reproducible. With FloPy

• MODFLOW models can easily be shared,
• web-based repositories can be used for version control, and
• multiple variants of a model can be created that share the same base data.

FloPy includes support for MODFLOW-2000, MODFLOW-2005, MODFLOW-NWT, MODPATH (version 6), MT3D and SEAWAT.

USGS Groundwater-Related Press Releases

The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for April 2016. Credit: USGS. The image is in the public domain.

Nitrogen in Lakes Connected to Groundwater (April 28, 2016)

South Dakota Scientists Help Restore Water in Armenia (April 26, 2016)

New Tool and Knowledge to Aid Columbia Basin Water Managers (April 4, 2016)

 

USGS Groundwater-Related Publications

Urban hydrology -- Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey

Analysis of stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) in precipitation of the Verde River watershed, Arizona 2013 through 2014

The source of groundwater and solutes to Many Devils Wash at a former uranium mill site in Shiprock, New Mexico

Geologic map of the Rio Rico and Nogales 7.5' quadrangles, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Perchlorate and selected metals in water and soil within Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, 2011-15

Natural inactivation of Escherichia coli in anoxic and reduced groundwater

Potentiometric surfaces, summer 2013 and winter 2015, and select hydrographs for the Southern High Plains aquifer, Cannon Air Force Base, Curry County, New Mexico

Hydrologic monitoring for Chicago's Sustainable Streetscapes Program

Hydrogeology and groundwater quality at monitoring wells installed for the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan System and nearby water-supply wells, Cook County, Illinois, 1995-2013

An overview of current applications, challenges, and future trends in distributed process-based models in hydrology

Normal streamflows and water levels continue -- Summary of hydrologic conditions in Georgia, 2014

Hydrologic Conditions in Kansas, water year 2015

Collaborative modelling and integrated decision support system analysis of a developed terminal lake basin

 

 

Field Photo: Groundwater Modeling & Learning

Credit: USGS/C.B.Dawson. Photo is in the public domain. Click on photo for larger version.

In modern hydrogeology, not all of the work happens outside. Important work happens back at the office as scientists process, analyze, and share groundwater data and information. As part of this work, USGS scientists create computer programs to simulate or forecast groundwater flow conditions over time. In this photo, USGS scientists are participating in training on using Python (a computer programming language) in their groundwater modeling. The tools available to scientists change over time, as technology changes and improves. USGS scientists participate in ongoing formal and informal training throughout their careers to refine their scientific skills and to expand their expertise in scientific tools and methods that can be used in their daily work.

Archive of Past Highlights:

Past monthly summaries are available online.