GMS 7.

0 TUTORIALS
MODFLOW - Conceptual Model Approach

1 Introduction
Two approaches can be used to construct a MODFLOW simulation in GMS: the grid
approach or the conceptual model approach. The grid approach involves working
directly with the 3D grid and applying sources/sinks and other model parameters on a
cell-by-cell basis. The steps involved in the grid approach are described in the tutorial
entitled MODFLOW - Grid Approach. The conceptual model approach involves using
the GIS tools in the Map module to develop a conceptual model of the site being
modeled. The location of sources/sinks, layer parameters such as hydraulic conductivity,
model boundaries, and all other data necessary for the simulation can be defined at the
conceptual model level. Once this model is complete, the grid is generated and the
conceptual model is converted to the grid model and all of the cell-by-cell assignments
are performed automatically. The steps involved in performing a MODFLOW simulation
using the conceptual model approach are described in this tutorial.

It is recommended that you complete the Interpolating Layer Elevations and MODAEM
tutorials before completing this tutorial.

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1.1 Contents

1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Contents ................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Outline...................................................................................................................... 1-3
1.3 Required Modules/Interfaces ................................................................................... 1-3
2 Description of Problem................................................................................................... 2-3
3 Getting Started ................................................................................................................ 3-5
4 Importing the Background Image ................................................................................. 4-5
4.1 Reading the Image.................................................................................................... 4-5
5 Saving the Project ........................................................................................................... 5-5
6 Defining the Units ........................................................................................................... 6-6
7 Defining the Boundary ................................................................................................... 7-6
7.1 Create the Coverage ................................................................................................. 7-6
7.2 Create the Arc .......................................................................................................... 7-6
8 Building the Local Source/Sink Coverage .................................................................... 8-7
8.1 Defining the Specified Head Arcs............................................................................ 8-8
8.2 Defining the Drain Arcs ........................................................................................... 8-9
8.3 Building the polygons ............................................................................................ 8-11
8.4 Creating the Wells.................................................................................................. 8-12
9 Delineating the Recharge Zones .................................................................................. 9-13
9.1 Copying the Boundary ........................................................................................... 9-13
9.2 Creating the Landfill Boundary ............................................................................. 9-13
9.3 Building the Polygons ............................................................................................ 9-14
9.4 Assigning the Recharge Values ............................................................................. 9-14
10 Defining the Hydraulic Conductivity ........................................................................ 10-15
10.1 Copying the Boundary ......................................................................................... 10-15
10.2 Top Layer............................................................................................................. 10-15
10.3 Bottom Layer ....................................................................................................... 10-16
11 Locating the Grid Frame............................................................................................ 11-16
12 Creating the Grid ........................................................................................................ 12-17
13 Initializing the MODFLOW Data.............................................................................. 13-17
14 Defining the Active/Inactive Zones............................................................................ 14-17
15 Interpolating Layer Elevations .................................................................................. 15-18
15.1 Importing the Ground Surface Scatter Points ...................................................... 15-18
15.2 Interpolating the Heads and Elevations................................................................ 15-18
15.3 Interpolating the Layer Elevations ....................................................................... 15-19
15.4 Adjusting the Display........................................................................................... 15-19
15.5 Viewing the Model Cross Sections ...................................................................... 15-19
15.6 Fixing the Elevation Arrays ................................................................................. 15-20
16 Converting the Conceptual Model............................................................................. 16-21
17 Checking the Simulation ............................................................................................ 17-21
18 Saving the Project ....................................................................................................... 18-21
19 Running MODFLOW................................................................................................. 19-21
20 Viewing the Head Contours ....................................................................................... 20-22
21 Viewing the Water Table in Side View ..................................................................... 21-22
22 Viewing the Flow Budget............................................................................................ 22-22
23 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 23-23

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1.2 Outline
This is what you will do:

1. Import a background image.

2. Create and define coverages.

3. Map the coverages to a 3D grid.

4. Import scatter points and interpolate them to elevation.

5. Convert the conceptual model to MODFLOW.

6. Check the simulation and run MODFLOW.

7. View the results.

1.3 Required Modules/Interfaces

You will need the following components enabled to complete this tutorial:

• Grid

• Geostatistics

• Map

• MODFLOW

You can see if these components are enabled by selecting the File | Register command.

2 Description of Problem
The problem we will be solving for this tutorial is illustrated in Figure 1. The site is
located in East Texas. We will assume that we are evaluating the suitability of a
proposed landfill site with respect to potential groundwater contamination. The results of
this simulation will be used as the flow field for a particle tracking and a transport
simulation in the MODPATH tutorial and the MT3DMS tutorial.

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North

Limestone Outcropping

Proposed
Landfill
Well #1 Site

Well #2

Creek beds
River

River
(a)

River

Upper Sediments

Limestone Bedrock

Lower Sediments

(b)

Figure 1. Site to be Modeled in This Tutorial. (a) Plan View of Site. (b) Typical
North-South Cross Section Through Site.

We will be modeling the groundwater flow in the valley sediments bounded by the hills
to the north and the two converging rivers to the south. A typical north-south cross
section through the site is shown in Figure 1b. The site is underlain by limestone bedrock
which outcrops to the hills at the north end of the site. There are two primary sediment
layers. The upper layer will be modeled as an unconfined layer and the lower layer will
be modeled as a confined layer.

The boundary to the north will be a no-flow boundary and the remaining boundary will
be a specified head boundary corresponding to the average stage of the rivers. We will
assume the influx to the system is primarily through recharge due to rainfall. There are
some creek beds in the area which are sometimes dry but occasionally flow due to influx
from the groundwater. We will represent these creek beds using drains. There are also
two production wells in the area that will be included in the model.

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NOTE: Although the site modeled in this tutorial is an actual site, the landfill and the
hydrogeologic conditions at the site have been fabricated. The stresses and boundary
conditions used in the simulation were selected to provide a simple yet broad sampling of
the options available for defining a conceptual model.

3 Getting Started
Let’s get started.

1. If necessary, launch GMS. If GMS is already running, select the File | New
command to ensure that the program settings are restored to their default state.

4 Importing the Background Image

The first step in setting up the simulation is to import a digital image of the site being
modeled. This image was created by scanning a portion of a USGS quadrangle map on a
desktop scanner. The image was imported to GMS, registered, and a GMS project file
was saved. To read in the image, we will open the project file. Once the image is
imported to GMS, it can be displayed in the background as a guide for on screen
digitizing and placement of model features.

4.1 Reading the Image

To import the image:

1. Select the Open button .

2. Locate and open the directory entitled tutfiles\MODFLOW\modfmap.

3. Open the file entitled start.gpr.

All other objects in GMS are drawn on top of the image. The image only appears in plan
view.

5 Saving the Project

Before we make any changes, lets save the project under a new name.

1. Select the File | Save As command.

2. Save the project with the name easttex.

Now you can hit the save button periodically as you develop your model.

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6 Defining the Units

At this point, we can also define the units used in the conceptual model. The units we
choose will be applied to edit fields in the GMS interface to remind us of the proper units
for each parameter.

1. Select the Edit | Units command.

2. For Length, select m (for meters). For Time, select d (for days). We will ignore
the other units (they are not used for flow simulations).

3. Select the OK button.

7 Defining the Boundary

The first step is to define the outer boundary of the model. We will do this by creating an
arc which forms a closed loop around the site.

7.1 Create the Coverage

1. In the Project Explorer right-click on the empty space and then, from the pop-up
menu, select the New | Conceptual Model command.

2. For the Name, enter East Texas. For the Model, select MODFLOW.

3. Click OK.

4. Right-click on the East Texas conceptual model and select the New Coverage
command from the pop-up menu.

5. Change the Coverage name to Boundary. Change the Default elevation to 213.
Change the Default layer range to go from 1 to 2.

6. Click OK.

7.2 Create the Arc

1. Select the Create Arc tool .

2. Begin the arc by clicking once on the left (west) side of the model at the location
shown in Figure 2.

3. Create the arc by proceeding around the boundary of the site in a counter-
clockwise direction and clicking on a sequence of points around the boundary.
Don't worry about the spacing or the exact location of the points; just use enough
points to define the approximate location of the boundary. The boundary on the
south and east sides of the model should coincide with the rivers. The boundary
along the top should coincide to the limestone outcropping as shown in Figure 2.

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4. To end the arc, click on the point where you began.

Note: As you are clicking on the points, if you make a mistake and wish to back up a
point or two, press the Backspace key. If you wish to abort the arc and start over, press
the ESC key.

Figure 2. Creating the Boundary Arc.

8 Building the Local Source/Sink Coverage

The next step in building the conceptual model is to construct the local sources/sinks
coverage. This coverage defines the boundary of the region being modeled and it defines
local sources/sinks including wells, rivers, drains, and general head boundaries.

The properties which can be assigned to the feature objects in a coverage depend on the
conceptual model and the options set in the Coverage Setup dialog. Before creating the
feature objects, we will change the options in the Coverage Setup dialog.

1. Right-click on the Boundary coverage and select the Duplicate command

from the pop-up menu. Change the new coverage name to Sources & Sinks.

2. Right-click on the Sources & Sinks coverage and select the Coverage Setup
command from the pop-up menu.

3. In the list of Sources/Sinks/BCs, turn ON the following options which we will

need for this tutorial:

• Layer range

• Wells

• Refine points

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• Specified Head

• Drain

4. Make sure the Use to define model boundary (active area) option is on.

5. Click OK.

8.1 Defining the Specified Head Arcs

The next step is to define the specified head boundary along the south and east sides of
the model. Before doing this, however, we must first split the arc we just created into
three arcs. One arc will define the no-flow boundary along the top and the other two arcs
will define the two rivers. An arc is split by selecting one or more vertices on the arc and
converting the vertices to nodes.

1. Select the Select Vertices tool .

2. Select the two vertices shown in Figure 3. Vertex #1 is located at the junction of
the two rivers. Vertex #2 is located at the top of the river on the east side of the
model. To select both vertices at once, select the first vertex and then hold down
the Shift key while selecting the other vertex.

3. Right-click on one of the selected vertices and select Vertex -> Node command.

Vertex #2

Vertex #1

Figure 3. Convert Vertices to Nodes.

Now that we have defined the three arcs, we will specify the two arcs on the rivers as
specified head arcs.

4. Select the Select Arcs tool .

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5. Select the arcs on the south and east and (right and bottom) sides of the model by
selecting one arc and holding down the Shift key while selecting the other arc.

6. Right-click on one of the selected arcs and select the Attribute Table command
from the pop-up menu.

7. Find the spreadsheet cell corresponding to the All row and the Type column. In
this cell, select the spec. head type. This will change the types for both arcs.

8. Select the OK button.

9. Click anywhere on the model other than on the arcs to unselect them.

Note that the color of the arcs has changed indicating the type of the arc.

The next step is to define the head at the nodes at the ends of the arcs. The head along a
specified head arc is assumed to vary linearly along the length of the arc.

10. Select the Select Points/Nodes tool .

11. Double click on the node on the west (left) end of the arc on the southern
(bottom) boundary.

12. Enter a constant value of 212 for the Head-Stage.

13. Select the OK button.

14. In a similar fashion, assign a value of 208 to the node at the junction of the two
rivers and a value of 214 to the node at the top of the arc on the east boundary of
the model.

8.2 Defining the Drain Arcs

At this point, we will enter the arcs at the locations of the creek beds to define the drains.

1. Select the Create Arc tool .

2. Create the arc labeled as arc #1 in Figure 4. Start by clicking on the bottom arc,
create the arc by clicking points along the creek bed, and end the arc by double
clicking on the top arc.

Notice that when you click in the vicinity of a vertex on an existing arc or on the edge of
an arc, GMS automatically snaps the arc you are creating to the existing arc and makes a
node at the junction of the two arcs.

3. Create the arcs labeled arc #2 and arc #3 in Figure 4 the same way you made arc
#1.

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Arc #1

Arc #3

Arc #2

Figure 4. The Drain Arcs.

Next, we will define the arcs as drains and assign the conductance and elevation to the
arcs.

4. Select the Select Arcs tool .

5. Select all of the drain arcs by clicking on the arcs while holding down the Shift
key.

6. Right-click on one of the selected arcs and select Attribute Table command from
the pop-up menu.

7. In the All row, Type column, select the drain option.

8. Enter a conductance of 555 in the All row. This represents a conductance per
unit length value. GMS automatically computes the appropriate cell conductance
value when the drains are assigned to the grid cells.

9. Change the From layer and To layer properties to be 1 for each of the arcs. This
means the drains will only be in layer 1 of the grid.

10. Select the OK button.

The elevations of the drains are specified at the nodes of the arcs. The elevation is
assumed to vary linearly along the arcs between the specified values.

11. Select the Select Points/Nodes tool .

Double click on Node 2 in Figure 5. Notice that this node has 2 properties associated
with it since it is attached to 2 arcs of different types.

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12. Enter 212 for the Bot. elev. of the drain property. Do NOT change anything in
the spec. head property. Click OK.

13. Repeat this procedure to assign the drain elevations to the nodes shown in Figure
5. Be sure to change the drain property only, and NOT the spec. head property.

Node 5

Node 1

Node Elevation
1 223
2 212
3 222
4 211
5 223
6 210
Node 2

Node 4
Node 3

Node 6

Figure 5. Elevations for Drain Nodes.

8.3 Building the polygons

With the local sources/sinks type coverage, the entire region to be modeled must be
covered with non-overlapping polygons. This defines the active region of the grid. In
most cases, all of the polygons will be variable head polygons (the default). However,
other polygons may be used. For example, to model a lake, a general head polygon can
be used. The simplest way to define the polygons is to first create all of the arcs used in
the coverage and then select the Build Polygons command. This command searches
through the arcs and creates a polygon for each of the closed loops defined by the arcs.
These polygons are of type “NONE” by default but may be converted to other types by
selecting the polygons and using the Properties command.

Now that all of the arcs in the coverage have been created, we are ready to construct the
polygons. All of our polygons will be variable head polygons.

1. Select the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command.

Notice that the polygon is now filled. You can change the view of the polygons if you
wish by selecting the Display | Display Options command.

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8.4 Creating the Wells

The final step in creating the local sources/sinks coverage is to define the wells. Wells
are defined as point type objects. Two wells will be created.

1. Select the Create Point tool .

2. Move the cursor to the approximate location of Well #1 shown in Figure 1 and
click once with the mouse to create the point.

3. While the new point is selected, type the coordinates (835, 1425) in the X and Y
edit fields at the top of the GMS window and hit the Tab or Enter key.

4. Select the Properties button .

5. For the Type, select the well option.

6. For the Flow rate, enter a constant value of -680.

7. Change the From layer and To layer properties to be 1. This means the well will
only be in layer 1 of the grid.

8. Select the OK button.

9. In a similar fashion, create the other well at the location (3220, 1000) and assign
a pumping rate of –2,830. However, for this well, change the From layer and To
layer so that the well is applied only to layer two (change both the edit fields to
2).

Grid Refinement
A well represents a point of convergence in the groundwater flow and causes steep
gradients in the head near the well. In order to accurately model the flow near wells, the
grid is typically refined in the vicinity of the wells. This type of refinement can be
performed automatically in GMS by assigning refinement data directly to the wells in the
conceptual model.

1. Select the Select Points/Nodes tool .

2. Select both wells by clicking on the wells while holding the Shift key.

3. Select Properties button .

4. Find the Refine column, and in the All row, turn on the toggle. This turns on
refinement for both points.

5. Change the Base size to 25, the Bias to 1.1 and the Max size to 150 for both
points.

6. Click OK.

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9 Delineating the Recharge Zones

The next step in constructing the conceptual model is to construct the coverage which
defines the recharge zones. We will assume that the recharge over the area being
modeled is uniform except for the landfill. The recharge in the area of the landfill will be
reduced due to the landfill liner system.

9.1 Copying the Boundary

We’ll create our recharge coverage by copying the boundary.

1. Right-click on the Boundary coverage and select the Duplicate command

from the pop-up menu.

2. Change the name of the new coverage to Recharge.

3. Right-click on the Recharge coverage and select the Coverage Setup

command.

4. In the Areal Properties list, turn on the Recharge rate property.

5. Select the OK button.

9.2 Creating the Landfill Boundary

Next, we will create the arc delineating the boundary of the landfill. To do this, we will
first create a closed loop in the form of a rectangle at the approximate location of the
landfill. We will then edit the nodes and vertices so that the arc coincides precisely with
the boundary of the landfill.

1. Select the Create Arc tool .

2. Create a rectangular polygon representing the landfill as shown in Figure 6.

Don't worry about getting the exact coordinates at this point.

Now that the arc is created in the approximate location, we will edit the coordinates of
the vertices and nodes to define the precise coordinates.

3. Select the Select Vertices tool .

4. Drag a box around the entire landfill polygon rectangle, thus selecting all the
vertices.

5. Right-click on one of the selected vertices and select the Vertex -> Node
command.

6. Select the Select Points/Nodes tool .

7. Select one of the nodes.

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8. While the node is selected, enter the exact coordinates of the node in the Edit
Window. Select the Tab key after entering each coordinate value.

(2685, 1450) (2940, 1450)

(2685, 1205) (2940, 1205)

Figure 6. Landfill.

9. Repeat this process for the remaining corners of the landfill polygon.

9.3 Building the Polygons

Now that the arcs are defined, we can build the polygons.

1. Select the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command.

9.4 Assigning the Recharge Values

Now that the recharge zones are defined, we can assign the recharge values. We will
assign one value to the landfill polygon, and another value to the remaining polygon.

1. Select the Select Polygons tool .

2. Double click on the landfill polygon.

3. Change the Recharge rate to 0.00006.

Note: This recharge rate is small relative to the rate assigned to the other polygons. The
landfill will be capped and lined and thus will have a small recharge value. The recharge
essentially represents a small amount of leachate that escapes from the landfill.

4. Select the OK button.

5. Double click on the outer polygon.

6. Change the Recharge rate to 0.00695.

7. Select the OK button.

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10 Defining the Hydraulic Conductivity

Next we will enter the hydraulic conductivity for each layer. In many cases, you may
wish to define multiple polygons defining hydraulic conductivity zones. For the sake of
simplicity, we will use a constant value for each layer.

10.1 Copying the Boundary

We’ll create our layer coverage by copying the boundary.

1. Right-click on the Boundary coverage and select the Duplicate command

from the pop-up menu.

2. Change the name of the new coverage to Layer 1.

3. Right-click on the Layer 1 coverage and select the Coverage Setup command.

4. In the Areal Properties list, turn ON the following options

• Horizontal K

• Vertical anis.

5. Change the Default layer range to go from 1 to 1.

6. Select the OK button.

7. Right click on the Layer 1 coverage and select the Duplicate command from
the pop-up menu. Change the name of the new coverage to Layer 2.

8. Right click on the Layer 2 coverage and select the Coverage Setup command.

9. Change the Default layer range to go from 2 to 2.

10. Select the OK button.

10.2 Top Layer

First, we will assign a K value for the top layer.

1. Select the Layer 1 coverage in the Project Explorer.

2. Select the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command.

3. With the Select Polygons tool , double click on the polygon.

4. Change the Horizonal K to 5.5.

5. Change the Vertical anis. to 4.

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6. Select the OK button.

10.3 Bottom Layer

For the bottom layer:

1. Select the Layer 2 coverage in the Project Explorer.

2. Select the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command.

3. Double click on the polygon

4. Change the Horizonal K to 10.

5. Change the Vertical anis. to 4.

6. Select the OK button.

This completes the definition of the coverages in the conceptual model. Before
continuing to create the grid, we will make the sources/sinks coverage the active
coverage.

7. Select the Sources & Sinks coverage in the Project Explorer.

11 Locating the Grid Frame

Now that the coverages are complete, we are ready to create the grid. The first step in
creating the grid is to define the location and orientation of the grid using the Grid Frame.
The Grid Frame represents the outline of the grid. It can be positioned on top of our site
map graphically.

1. In the Project Explorer right-click on the empty space and then, from the pop-up
menu, select the New | Grid Frame command.

2. In the Project Explorer right-click on the Grid Frame and select the Fit to
Active Coverage command.

3. Double-click on the grid frame in the Project Explorer to bring up the properties
dialog.

4. Change the Origin z: to 170 and the Dimension z: to 60. This provides a set of
initial values for the MODFLOW layer elevation arrays. Later, we will
interpolate the layer elevations.

5. Select the OK button to exit the Grid Frame dialog.

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12 Creating the Grid

Now that the coverages and the Grid Frame are created, we are now ready to create the
grid.

1. Select the Feature Objects | Map ´ 3D Grid command.

Notice that the grid is dimensioned using the data from the Grid Frame. If a Grid Frame
does not exist, the grid is defaulted to surround the model with approximately 5% overlap
on the sides. Also note that the number of cells in the x and y dimensions cannot be
altered. This is because the number of rows and columns and the locations of the cell
boundaries will be controlled by the refine point data entered at the wells.

2. In the Z-Dimension change Number cells to 2.

3. Select the OK button.

13 Initializing the MODFLOW Data

Now that the grid is constructed and the active/inactive zones are delineated, the next step
is to convert the conceptual model to a grid-based numerical model. Before doing this,
however, we must first initialize the MODFLOW data:

1. Right click on the grid (1) item in the Project Explorer and select the New
MODFLOW command.

2. Select the OK button.

14 Defining the Active/Inactive Zones

Now that the grid is created, the next step is to define the active and inactive zones of the
model. This is accomplished automatically using the information in the local
sources/sinks coverage.

1. Select the Map Data folder in the Project Explorer.

2. Select the Select Polygons tool .

3. Select one of the polygons.

4. Select Properties button .

5. Confirm that the layer assignment is 1 to 2 and click OK.

6. Select the Feature Objects | Activate Cells in Coverage(s) command.

Each of the cells in the interior of any polygon in the local sources/sinks coverage is
designated as active and each cell which is outside of all of the polygons is designated as

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inactive. Notice that the cells on the boundary are activated such that the no-flow
boundary at the top of the model approximately coincides with the outer cell edges of the
cells on the perimeter while the specified head boundaries approximately coincide with
the cell centers of the cells on the perimeter.

15 Interpolating Layer Elevations

Now we need to define the layer elevations and the starting head. Since we are using the
LPF package, top and bottom elevations are defined for each layer regardless of the layer
type. For a two layer model, we need to define a layer elevation array for the top of layer
one (the ground surface), the bottom of layer one, and the bottom of layer two. It is
assumed that the top of layer two is equal to the bottom of layer one.

One way to define layer elevations is to import a set of scatter points defining the
elevations and interpolate the elevations directly to the layer arrays. In some cases, this is
done using one set of scatter points. In this case, we will use two scatter point sets: one
for the ground surface and one for the elevations of the bottom of layer one and the
bottom of layer two. It is often convenient to use two scatter point sets in this fashion
due to the source of the points. Ground surface points are often digitized from a map
while layer elevations typically come from borehole data.

Layer interpolation is covered in depth in the Interpolating Layer Data tutorial.

15.1 Importing the Ground Surface Scatter Points

The scatter points have already been read in because they were included in the project file
that we read in the beginning. These points came from importing a text file as described
in the 2D Geostatistics tutorial. The scatter sets are hidden so we will unhide them so
you can see them.

1. In the Project Explorer, expand the 2D Scatter Data folder .

2. In the Project Explorer, check the boxes next to the two scatter point sets named
terrain and elevs.

3. Make the terrain scatter point set the active one by selecting it in the Project
Explorer.

A set of scatter point symbols should appear on the model.

15.2 Interpolating the Heads and Elevations

Next, we will interpolate the ground surface elevations and starting heads to the
MODFLOW grid.

1. Right-click on the terrain scatter set and select the Interpolate To |

MODFLOW Layers menu command.

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This is the dialog that allows you to tell GMS which data sets you want to interpolate to
which MODFLOW arrays. The dialog is explained fully in the Interpolating Layer Data
tutorial.

2. Highlight the ground_elev data set and the Starting Heads array, and click the
Map button.

3. Highlight the ground_elev data set and the Top Elevations Layer 1 array, and
click the Map button.

4. Select the OK button to perform the interpolation.

15.3 Interpolating the Layer Elevations

To interpolate the layer elevations:

1. Select the elevs scatter set to make it active.

2. Right-click on the elevs scatter set and select the Interpolate To | MODFLOW
Layers command.

GMS automatically mapped the Bottom Elevations Layer 1 and Bottom Elevations
Layer 2 arrays to the appropriate data sets based on the data set name.

3. Select the OK button

15.4 Adjusting the Display

Now that we are finished with the interpolation, we can hide the scatter point sets and the
grid frame.

1. Uncheck the scatter point sets in the Project Explorer.

2. Uncheck the grid frame in the Project Explorer.

15.5 Viewing the Model Cross Sections

To check the interpolation, we will view a cross section.

1. Select the 3D Grid Data folder in the Project Explorer.

2. Select a cell somewhere near the center of the model.

3. Select the Side View button .

To get a better view of the cross section, we will increase the z magnification.

4. Select the Display Options command .

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5. Enter a value of 5 for the Z magnification factor.

6. Select the OK button.

7. Select the Frame button .

You may wish to use the arrow buttons in the Tool Palette to view different columns in
the grid.

Note that on the right side of the cross section, the bottom layer pinches out and the
bottom elevations are greater than the top elevations. This must be fixed before running
the model.

15.6 Fixing the Elevation Arrays

GMS provides a convenient set of tools for fixing layer array problems. These tools are
located in the Model Checker and are explained fully in the Interpolating Layer Data
tutorial.

1. Select the MODFLOW | Check Simulation command.

2. Select the Run Check button.

3. Select the Fix Layer Errors button at the right of the dialog.

Notice that many errors were found for layer two. There are several ways to fix these
layers. We will use the Truncate to bedrock option. This option makes all cells below
the bottom layer inactive.

4. Select the Truncate to bedrock option.

5. Select the Fix Affected Layers button.

6. Select the OK button to exit the Fix Layer Errors dialog.

7. Select the Done button to exit the Model Checker.

Notice that the layer errors have been fixed. Another way to view the layer corrections is
in plan view.

8. Select Plan View button .

9. In the mini-grid display, select the down arrow to view the second layer.

Notice that the cells at the upper (Northern) edge of the model in layer two are inactive.

10. Switch back to the top layer by selecting the up arrow .

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16 Converting the Conceptual Model

We are now ready to convert the conceptual model from the feature object-based
definition to a grid-based MODFLOW numerical model.

1. Right-click on the East Texas conceptual model and select the Map To |
MODFLOW / MODPATH command.

2. Make sure the All applicable coverages option is selected and select OK.

Notice that the cells underlying the drains, wells, and specified head boundaries were all
identified and assigned the appropriate sources/sinks. The heads and elevations of the
cells were determined by linearly interpolating along the specified head and drain arcs.
The conductances of the drain cells were determined by computing the length of the drain
arc overlapped by each cell and multiplying that length by the conductance value
assigned to the arc. In addition, the recharge and hydraulic conductivity values were
assigned to the appropriate cells.

17 Checking the Simulation

At this point, we have completely defined the MODFLOW data and we are ready to run
the simulation. Let’s run the Model Checker to see if GMS can identify any mistakes we
may have made.

1. Select the 3D Grid Data folder in the Project Explorer.

2. Select the MODFLOW | Check Simulation command.

3. Select the Run Check button. There should be no errors.

4. Select the Done button to exit the Model Checker.

18 Saving the Project

Now we are ready to save the project and run MODFLOW.

1. Select the Save button .

Note: Saving the project not only saves the MODFLOW files but it saves all data
associated with the project including the feature objects and scatter points.

19 Running MODFLOW
We are now ready to run MODFLOW.

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1. Select the MODFLOW | Run MODFLOW command. At this point MODFLOW

is launched and the Model Wrapper appears.

2. When the solution is finished, select the Close button.

20 Viewing the Head Contours

A set of contours should appear. To get better contrast between the contours and the
background image, we will change the contour color to blue.

1. Select Contour Options from the main toolbar.

2. Click on the down arrow on the contour Line style button.

3. Select a dark blue color.

4. Select the OK button to exit the dialog.

To view the contours for the second layer:

5. Select the down arrow in the mini-grid display.

6. After viewing the contours, return to the top layer by selecting the up arrow .

21 Viewing the Water Table in Side View

Another interesting way to view a solution is in side view.

1. Select the Select Cell tool .

2. Select a cell somewhere near the well on the right side of the model.

3. Select the Side View button .

Notice that the computed head values are used to plot a water table profile. Use the left
and right arrow buttons in the mini-grid display to move back and forth through the grid.
You should see a cone of depression at the well. When finished:

4. Select the Plan View button .

22 Viewing the Flow Budget

The MODFLOW solution consists of both a head file and a cell-by-cell flow (CCF) file.
GMS can use the CCF file to display flow budget values. For example, we may want to
know if any water exited from the drains. This can be accomplished simply by clicking
on a drain arc.

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1. Select the Map Data Folder in the Project Explorer.

2. Choose the Select Arcs tool .

3. Click on the rightmost drain arc.

Notice that the total flow through the arc is displayed in the strip at the bottom of the
window. Next, we will view the flow to the river.

4. Click on one of the specified head arcs at the bottom and view the flow.

5. Hold down the Shift key and select each of the specified head arcs.

Notice that the total flow is shown for all selected arcs. Flow for a set of selected cells
can be displayed as follows:

6. Select the 3D Grid Data folder in the Project Explorer.

7. Select a group of cells by dragging a box around the cells.

8. Select the MODFLOW | Flow Budget command.

This dialog shows a comprehensive flow budget for the selected cells.

9. Select OK to exit the dialog.

10. Click anywhere outside the model to unselect the cells.

23 Conclusion
This concludes the MODFLOW - Conceptual Model Approach tutorial. Here are the
things that you should have learned in this tutorial:

• A background image can be imported to help you construct the conceptual

model.

• It is usually a good idea to define the model boundary in a coverage and copy
that coverage whenever you need to create a new coverage.

• You can customize the set of properties associated with points, arcs and polygons
by using the Coverage Setup dialog.

• Some arc properties, like head, are not specified by selecting the arc but by
selecting the nodes at the ends of the arc. That way the property can vary
linearly along the length of the arc.

• A grid frame can be used to position the grid, but is not required.

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• You must use the Map ´ MODFLOW / MODPATH command every time you
want to transfer the conceptual model data to the grid.

• You can specify things like layer elevations and hydraulic conductivities using
polygons in the conceptual model, but that will result in stair-step-like changes.
For smoother transitions, you can use 2D scatter points and interpolation.

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