Department
of Earth Science |
Northeastern
Illinois University
Department
of Earth Science |Northeastern
Illinois University
Homework #7: Conceptual model for
the project area.
Dr. Sanders
Due Thursday, April 15, 2002
Conceptual Model
The Assignment: Construct
and describe a conceptual model for the study
area. Do this as a group, using the group roles as we did earlier
in the semester.
A conceptual model includes a description of the following:
* The boundaries to the model
area:
Where are they, and are they no-flow boundaries, or constant head (also
called specified
head) boundaries? Explain. If there are constant
(specified)
head boundaries, tell what the hydraulic head is at the location of
each
one. Give it in units of feet above sea level. Present
maps, sketches, or diagrams if they help explain your thoughts.
* The hydrostratigraphy of the
model
area: What hydrostratigraphic units are present? Remember: a
hydrostratigraphic
unit is a body of rock or sediment that acts as an aquifer, or as an
aquitard.
Tell which types of units are present, relating them to your
description
of the geology of the area. If you say that a unit is an aquifer,
tell whether it is unconfined, confined, or perched. Also give
the
thickness of each layer, and for aquifers, tell the direction of flow
within
the aquifer, if you know it. Again, diagrams or figures could be
very helpful in your explanation.
* The stresses on ground water within the model area. I'm giving you the answer to this part: there are two stresses: a) pumping wells, including the well that we are focused on, and b) recharge to the aquifer from infiltration of rainfall. (Eventually, we will want to quantify the rate--that is, tell what the pumping rate is for the wells in units of cubic feet per day, and give the rate of recharge to the aquifer in units of feet per day. However, for this homework assignment, you don't need to make these quantitative assessments. We'll do that in the next draft.)
What to Hand In: Each group should turn in a single
copy of the conceptual model. Clearly indicate who fulfilled each
of the group roles. The work will probably be about 1 to 2 pages
long (typed, double-spaced, with 1" margins). It is due
at class time on April 15.
© 2004 Laura L. Sanders. Last updated April 8, 2004.