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Visual MODFLOW 4.

2 Exercise: Joe’s Auto


Risk Assessment Modeling

EXERCISE OBJECTIVES
1. To create a simple groundwater flow and solute transport model, using Visual MODFLOW,
to assess the human health risk (time-varying contaminant concentration at a Point of
Compliance) associated with 4 leaky petroleum USTs at a retail gas station.
2. To assess clean-up scenarios for the existing groundwater (benzene) plume created by
the leaky underground storage tanks.
3. To examine the model results (groundwater heads and solute concentrations) using
Visual MODFLOW 3D Explorer.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
Joe’s Auto Care is a typical ½ acre corner retail gasoline and automobile repair facility located in
the northeastern United States (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Site Plan for Joe’s Auto Care

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

As part of the initial site investigations, during the removal of four (4) petroleum underground
storage tanks (USTs) and associated dispensers and product delivery lines, contaminant impacts
were discovered in the soil beneath the site (soil and groundwater contamination). As well, free-
phase gasoline was discovered in the tank cavity that contained the underground storage tanks,
during closure activities for the USTs. According to inventory records, the UST system had been
leaking product for approximately four (4) years, and approximately 640 gallons of free product
was recovered prior to the cessation of product recovery activities.

Four (4) phases of site assessment were conducted to define the hydrogeology beneath the site,
and the extent of contamination including the installation of 24 monitoring wells. The horizontal
and vertical extent of impact appears to be delineated to the furthest practical extent. Joe’s Auto
has opted to perform a Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) analysis to determine the need for
remediation in accordance with state laws. Results of the investigation indicate that the dissolved
phase groundwater plume appears to be stable, but does extend off-site to the northwest.

Based on the site investigations, the following table of parameters will be used for modeling:

Data Type Parameter Symbol Value Unit Source of Data


Hydrogeology Hydraulic Conductivity Kh 16.5 ft/day Slug test data
Hydraulic Gradient i 0.020 ft/ft G/W sampling
Porosity n 0.32
Recharge R 1.0 in/yr
Source Area Concentration 30 mg/l G/W sampling
Thickness 12 feet
Simulation time 10 yrs
Dispersion Long. dispersivity αl 21.0 feet Plume length
Trans. dispersivity αt 2.1 feet 0.1 x αl
Vert. dispersivity αv 0.21 feet 0.01 x αl
ρb
3
Sorption Bulk density 48.14 kg/ft Soil lab analysis
Fraction organic carbon foc 0.01 mg/mg Lab analysis
Partitioning Coefficient Koc 6.6 E-5 L/mg Literature value
Degradation 1st Order Decay λ 0.01 /day Literature value

The primary soil type encountered during drilling activities was clayey silt to a minimum depth of
two (2) feet. Rock beneath the clayed silt is weathered sandstone. The sandstone in this area
consists of cyclical deposits of Mississippian age sandstone and limestone. Groundwater is
encountered at approximately six (6) feet below grade in the sandstone and is flowing toward the
northwest. Potable water is supplied by the municipal water system, which draws water from the
nearby lake, located approximately ten (10) miles northwest of the site.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The contaminant plume is moving toward a rectory across the street from the gasoline station.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, there are three private wells located within a
0.5-mile radius of the site. One of these wells, situated 210 feet northwest from the contamination
source beside the rectory, is still being used, as shown in Figure 1. The other wells were drilled in
the 1950’s and are no longer in use. Regional topography indicates that surface drainage flows
northwest towards the east branch of the Rocky River.

Visual MODFLOW will be used to complete a Tier 2 RBCA modeling analysis of benzene clean-up
levels. This is usually accomplished using analytical models like BioScreen, but can easily be
accomplished using Visual MODFLOW.

Starting Visual MODFLOW


On your Windows desktop, you will see an icon for Visual MODFLOW.

Click Visual MODFLOW to start the program.

For the purposes of this tutorial, the following terms and notations will be used. (This assumes
you are using a right-handed mouse.)
type - type in the given word or value
↔ - press the <Tab> key
↵ - press the <Enter> key
" - click the left mouse button where indicated
"" - double-click the left mouse button where indicated

Part 1: Creating a Groundwater Flow Model

Section 1: Building a Model Grid


To start a new model,
" File from the top menu bar
" New from the drop-down menu

The Create new model dialogue box will be displayed prompting you to enter the filename of the
new Visual MODFLOW project.

NAVIGATE to [C:\vmod4\Joes\] and then,


type: Joes in the box labelled File name
" Save

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The New Model dialogue box will be displayed that allows you to describe the model setup. In
this window, we will fill in the following options:

" Description Risk Assessment Modeling


" Flow type ~ Saturated (Constant Density)
" Numeric Engine USGS MODFLOW 2000 from WHI
" Transport Simulation ~ Yes
" Numeric Engine DoD MT3DMS v4.5

Under the Units section, specify the following information using the mouse pointer and the
individual drop-down lists.
Length: feet
Time: day
Conductivity: ft/day
Pumping Rate: GPM
Recharge: in/year
Mass: kilogram
Concentration: milligrams/litre

After this information has been entered, the model set-up window will appear as follows:

" Next to accept these parameters

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The dialogue box will appear which displays the default parameter values for the Flow model. In
this window, we will fill in the following options.

For this exercise, the Start Date can be left at the default setting (i.e. today’s date). However, if
time-stamped data are to be imported from outside sources, then it is necessary to have the Start
Date fall at, or prior to, the oldest data point.

In this exercise we will use Steady-State Simulation:


" Steady-State Flow for run type
" 3650 for steady-state simulation time

Steady-State Simulation Time is not used if you select Transient Flow, but a number must still be
entered. Although the simulation always runs to the same equilibrium solution in Steady State, the
total amount of water passing through boundary conditions depends on the amount of time
simulated. For example, Zone Budget analysis of a Steady State solution would be affected by the
simulation time, whereas regional head values would not.

We will keep the default flow parameter values, and the set-up window will appear as follows:

" Next to accept these parameter settings

The following dialogue box will appear which displays the default parameter values for the

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

transport model.

Choose the dispersion parameters (10% of plume length = [0.10*210 feet] = 21.0 ft):
" Long. Dispersivity 21.0

And, the following Variant parameters:


" Description Benzene Degradation
" Sorption Linear Isotherm
" Reaction First-order irreversible decay

Also, under the Species tab, change the designation from Conc001 to Benzene, by clicking on
“Conc001” and typing “Benzene”.
" type: Benzene

So that the dialogue box looks like the following:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Click on the Model Params tab. The default dry bulk density (48.14 kg/ft3) is the value that we
would like to use, as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Click on the Species Params tab. The Distribution Coefficient (Kd = [Koc*foc] = [6.6E-5 * 0.01] =
6.6e-7 L/mg) is the value that we would like to use. The default first-order decay rate (0.01 /day) is
the value that we would like to use, as shown below:
" Distribution Coefficient (Kd) 6.6e-7
" First-order reaction rate (dissolved) 0.01
" First-order reaction rate (sorbed) 0

So that the dialogue box looks like the following:

" Next

The dialogue box Creating the Model Grid will appear to Import a site map, and specify
dimensions of the Model Domain.

You will select an AutoCAD.DXF file to be used as a background base map for your model.
" ; Import a site map to import the DXF file.

Next, you must specify the location of the DXF file name.
" Browse

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Navigate to the [C:\vmod4\joes\] directory and select the following file:


" sitemap.dxf
" Open

Next, you will specify the number of rows, columns, and layers to be used in the model. Under
Model Domain, enter the following model rows, columns, layers and depth information in the
appropriate boxes:
Columns (j): 58 ↔
Rows (i): 48 ↔
Layers (k): 1 ↔
Zmin (m): 530 ↔
Zmax (m): 580

As shown below:

Note: When the Import a site map option is selected, the Xmin, Xmax, Ymin, and Ymax fields will
be disabled (as shown in the above dialogue box).
" Finish

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The Select Model Region dialogue box will be displayed, as shown below:

In the Model Origin and Model Corners boxes on the right, ensure that the values shown match
the ones listed below. If they do not match, change them where appropriate.
Model Origin:
X 0 ↔
Y 0 ↔
Angle 0 ↔
Model Corners:
X1 0 ↔
Y1 0 ↔
X2 580 ↔
Y2 480

To display the model grid on the .DXF background map, in the lower right of the Select Model
Region dialogue box,

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

; Show Grid

Your screen display should be as seen below:

" OK to accept these values

File attributes dialogue will appear to confirm the name of the source file being imported and the
name of the project map being created.
" OK

Visual MODFLOW will construct a 58 × 48 × 1 finite difference grid with uniform grid spacing in
both the X and Y directions, and will automatically open the Input Module as shown in the
following figure.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

You are currently in the Input Module under the Grid menu.
We will assign the layer structure for the aquifer system. First, take a look at a row view:
" View Row from the side menu bar
" Choose 24
" [F8 – Vert Exag] from the bottom menu bar
type: 5

And, the Visual MODFLOW window will appear showing a cross section through Row 24, with a
vertical exaggeration of 5:1, as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Now, for simple Tier 2 Risk Assessment modeling, we will assume that the layer surfaces are all
flat, and the layers have constant thickness. This is reasonable for the small scale model domain
(580 feet x 480 feet) that we are simulating.
There are 2 layers in the model. An upper 15 foot weathered sandstone layer, and a lower 50 foot
sandstone layer (the upper 2 feet of clay has no impact on the flow analysis because the water
table is in the upper weathered sandstone). To model these two layers, we need to add one more
layer surface to the model:
" Edit Grid
" Edit Layers

Move the mouse into the model domain and click once (anywhere in the model domain) to add a
new layer.
" Close

Next, we will assign an elevation to the new layer (580 – 15 = 565 feet):
" Import Elevation

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

And the Create Grid Elevation window will appear:

" Layer Surface Bottom of Layer 1


" Options Specified Elevation
" Value [ft] 565
" OK
" Yes

The following Visual MODFLOW window will appear, showing the cross-section through Row 24,
with 3 layer interfaces at constant elevations:
• ground = 580 feet
• bottom of layer 1 = 565 feet (bottom of weathered sandstone)
• bottom of model = 530 feet (bottom of un-weathered sandstone)

As shown in the figure below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Let’s refine layer 2 into 5 sub-layers to better define head and concentration results with depth.
" Edit Grid from the side menu bar
" Edit Layers
" ~ Refine by 5

As shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Move the mouse into the model domain, and left-click the mouse on the top interface of layer 2
and the bottom interface of layer 2, close the window, and the Visual MODFLOW window will
appear as follows:

Next we will assign hydraulic conductivity for each model layer.

Section 2: Assigning Hydraulic Conductivity


To assign the hydraulic conductivity:
" Properties from the top menu bar
" Conductivity

You will be prompted to save your project grid data before continuing.
" Yes to save grid data
" View Layer from the sidebar menu
" Choose 2 (move the mouse into the model domain and click)

First, look at the database of conductivity:


" Database from the side menu bar

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Change the conductivity of Zone 1 to 16.5 feet/day, so that the following window appears:

" OK

Now, we will add a new conductivity zone to represent the lower un-weathered sandstone, with
a hydraulic conductivity of 1.0 ft/day.

" Assign / Window from the side menu bar

Use the mouse to choose (i.e. left-click in the center of) the upper-left model cell and then the
lower-right model cell, so that the entire model domain has been chosen, and the conductivity –
[Assign Window] icon will appear, as shown below:

" New

And, the model domain will turn blue, indicating that the cells in layer 2 will be in Zone 2. Assign
the following conductivity values to the new zone:
" Kx 1.0
" Ky 1.0

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Kz 0.1
" OK

And, the model domain will turn blue, as shown below:

Now, we will copy this conductivity zone (#2) to layers (3 – 6), so that all of these layers (3 – 6) will
represent the un-weathered sandstone:
" Copy / Layer from the side menu bar

And, the Copy Layer window will appear.


" Select Property zone(s) to copy ; Zone #2

" Select Target Layers ; Layer 3


; Layer 4
; Layer 5
; Layer 6

And, the Copy Layer window will appear as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" OK

Now, let’s look at the model in cross-section (along row 24) to see how the conductivity is
distributed by layer:

" View Row from the side menu bar


" Choose 24

The cross-section shows that layer 1 is conductivity Zone #1 (16.5 ft/day, weathered sandstone),
and layers 2 – 6 are conductivity Zone #2 (1.0 ft/day, un-weathered sandstone), as shown in the
screen capture below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Now that hydraulic conductivites have been assigned, we will change the storage parameters of
the model.

" View Layer from the side menu bar


" Choose 1 (move the mouse into the model domain and
choose Layer 1)
" Properties from the top menu bar
" Storage
" Database

We will choose the entire model domain to be a uniform zone of storage parameters (that is
representative of sandstone), and change them to be the following:

Specific storage = 0.0001


Specific yield = 0.25
Effective porosity = 0.30 and
Total porosity = 0.32 as shown below

As shown in the following Visual MODFLOW window:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" OK

Now, we will assign hydraulic boundaries to the model.

Section 3: Input of Boundary Conditions


The following section of the tutorial describes some of the steps required to assign the various
model boundary conditions. From the top menu bar:
" Boundaries
" Constant Head
" Yes to save storage information

You will use a constant head boundary to represent the heads along the east and west sides of
the model domain. From the side menu bar,
" Assign
" Line

You will assign a vertical line along the right-side of the model, where an equipotential of 578.0 ft
was measured. Move the mouse pointer to the upper-right corner of the grid. Left-click the
centre of the cell; move the pointer to the lower-right corner of the grid and right-click the centre
of the grid cell. A line of cells will be highlighted pink and the Constant Head – [Assign Line]
dialogue box will appear. Enter the following values:
" ; Assign to appropriate layer
" Stop time (day): 3650
" Constant Head Start Time Head: 578.0
" Constant Head Stop Time Head: 578.0

As shown in the screen capture below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" OK

The pink line will turn to a dark red line indicating that a constant head boundary value has been
applied.
Now, assign a constant head boundary to the left side of the model in a similar fashion.
" Assign
" Line

Stretch a vertical line along the right side of the model, where an equipotential of 566.0 ft was
measured. Move the mouse pointer to the upper-left corner of the grid. Left-click on the centre of
the cell (left mouse button); move the mouse pointer to the lower-left corner of the grid and right-
click the centre of the cell (right mouse button). A line of cells will be highlighted pink and the
Constant Head – [Assign Line] dialogue box will appear as before. Enter the following values:
" ; Assign to appropriate layer
" Stop time (day): 3650
" Constant Head Start Time Head: 566.0
" Constant Head Stop Time Head: 566.0
" OK

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

You will want to copy the constant heads (both groups) to the rest of the model layers.
" Copy from the side menu bar
" Layer a Copy layer dialogue box will appear
" ; Copy all/selected groups to select this option
" ; Select all/highlighted so layers 2 to 6 are highlighted

" OK

Now you will examine the model in cross-section to verify this.


" View Row from the side menu bar

MOVE the mouse pointer (red bar) into the model domain and select row 24 by clicking on the left
mouse button.

The following screen capture will appear:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Return to a layer (plan) view of the model domain.


" View Layer from the side menu bar

Move the mouse into the model domain, select the layer 1 and click the left mouse button.

Section 4: Assigning Recharge


The annual recharge to the water table at the site is approximately 1 in/year, which is consistent
with recharge through a low conductivity clay layer. Before assigning recharge to the model,
ensure that you are in Layer 1 (look below the Navigation Cube in the lower left corner).
" Boundaries from the top menu bar
" Recharge

You will be prompted to save the boundary data before going continuing.
" Yes

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The Recharge – [Assign Default Boundary] dialogue box will appear. Enter the following into
the appropriate boxes:
Stop Time: 3650
Recharge: 1

" OK

Section 5: Importing Head Observation Wells


Head Observation wells are used to calibrate the flow model to field conditions. There are 24
wells within the model domain that were drilled during site investigation (as shown on Figure 1),
where observations of head were recorded. To assign Head Observation Wells to the model:
" Wells from the top menu bar
" Head Observation Wells
" Yes to save recharge data
" Import Obs. an icon will appear to choose a file
" Highlight obs_wells.txt
" Open

An Import Head Well Data wizard will appear, which guides you through the import process.
The import file (obs_heads.txt) was designed in Excel to have the correct information in the
appropriate columns so that observation well information could be imported directly into the
model. Column names are in the first line. There are 7 columns of information:
- Well name, X, Y, Screen ID, Screen Elevation, Observation Time, Head

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Use the following screen capture to match the Required Data to column number:

" Next
" Finish

And the observation wells will be imported into the model domain, as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Section 6: Refining the Grid


To better define the change in concentration downgradient of the leaky UST source area, we will
refine the finite difference grid. Go to the grid menu:
" Grid from the top menu bar
" Yes to save observed head information
" Edit Grid
" Edit Rows
" ~ Refine by 2 from the Rows dialogue

Now, move your mouse into the model domain and left-click on the gridline at Y = 120, (when you
move the mouse near it, it will be highlighted a blue color and when you click on it, it will change
to the color pink) followed by the gridline at Y = 360.

Note: if the navigation cube is not responding, activate it by left-clicking on it.

The rows between the 2 selected gridlines will automatically double if you have performed the
operation correctly.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Close

Now, we will perform the same task to the columns in the model.

" Edit Grid


" Edit Columns
" Refine by 2 from the Columns dialogue

Move your mouse into the model domain and left click on the gridline at X = 80 followed by the
gridline at X = 480. The number of columns between these 2 gridlines should double.

" Close

Once completed, your model domain should appear similar to the following figure:

Section 7: Running MODFLOW


You are now ready to perform the groundwater flow simulation by running MODFLOW-2000. From

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

the bottom toolbar,


" [F10 – Main Menu]

You will be prompted to save the grid information before continuing.


" Yes to save grid information

To run MODFLOW 2000:


" Run from the Main Menu

The Run Module gives you the opportunity to select which engine you wish to use, and which
solving parameters (e.g. number of iterations, head-change criterion, damping criterion, etc.) you
wish to apply.

" MODFLOW 2000 for the top menu bar


" Solver
" Head change criterion 0.001
" Residual criterion 0.001

And the Solver Settings window will appear as follows:

In future, you might wish to increase the maximum number of iterations, if the model does not
converge. However, for now, we will simply use the settings that were defined above.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" OK
" Run from the top menu bar

The Translate/ Run dialogue box will appear. Select the following programs to run:

" ; MODFLOW 2000

So that the Run Window will appear as follows:

" Translate & Run

Visual MODFLOW will now create the files necessary to run USGS MODFLOW-2000.
After the models are translated, the VMEngine dialogue box will be displayed. During the
execution of each numeric model, the VMEngine Suite keeps you up-to-date on which model is
currently running.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Note: A blue check mark indicates the numeric engine has completed running and converged; a
running-horse icon indicates it is currently running; a red circle indicates it is waiting to run.
" File / Exit to close the Run option of Visual MODFLOW

Section 8: Output Visualization


From the top menu bar,
" Output opens the Output Module

The head equipotential lines for your simulation will be displayed initially by default. These are the
blue parallel lines that range from 578 feet at the right boundary to 566 feet at the left boundary,
as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

First, let’s take a look at the mass balance of the computed solution, and the calibration graph.
" Maps – ZoneBudget from the top menu bar
" Mass Balance

And the Mass Balance – Flow window will appear.


3
This window provides a Cumulative Volume report in volume per unit time (in this case, ft /day) for
all inflows and outflows to the model domain. For this exercise, (TOTAL IN – TOTAL OUT) has a
discrepancy of less than 0.1%, which is a good mass balance, as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Close

Now, let’s look at the calibration graph:

" Graph – Calibration – Heads from the top menu bar


" ; A.All to select all observed heads
" Apply

And the following calibration graph will appear:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

This calibration graph shows a good match between model-calculated heads and field-observed
heads for the 24 observation points. The mean error is close to 0.0 m, and the Normalized Root
Mean Square (NRMS) error is less than 10%.

Basically, this calibration graph shows that the model correctly predicts the hydraulic gradient
across the site and the average water level below the site. As more calibration data is collected
at the site, during further site investigation, a better model calibration can be achieved.

This completes Part 1 of this exercise. In Part 2 of the exercise, you will set up a contaminant
transport simulation using MT3D. To set up a transport simulation:
" File – Exit to exit the calibration graph
" [F10 – Main Menu] from bottom menu bar

Part 2: Running a Transport Simulation using MT3DMS


In Part 2, you will simulate the transport and fate of a dissolved-phase, groundwater contaminant
plume. The evolution of the contaminant plume will be simulated for a 10-year period.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Section 9: Adding the Contaminant Source Area


Visual MODFLOW fully supports a number of transport codes, which include:
• MT3DMS (Mass Transport in 3 Dimensions)
• RT3D v2.50 (Reactive Transport in 3 Dimensions)

All of these transport engines can be selected and set-up using the Setup Engines dialogue box.
Each transport code has associated advantages and disadvantages, and the final code selected
is typically based on project objectives and funding.
During model set-up, we chose MT3DMS as the transport engine. We chose to simulate linear
sorption and first-order irreversible decay. The input parameters and boundary conditions for
this simulation can be accessed through the input menu.
Let’s have a look at the transport parameters:
" Input to enter the Input module
" Properties
" Dispersion
" Database

And the following window will appear:

This is the value of dispersivity that was determined to be necessary for the risk assessment
modeling (based on a length of interest of 210 feet).
" OK
" Layer Options

And the Dispersion Package window will appear, showing the ratios for horizontal transverse and
vertical transverse dispersion, and diffusion coefficient:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

These are the ratios for dispersivity that were chosen for this modeling exercise.
" OK
" Properties
" Species Parameters
" Yes
" Database

and the following window will appear:

" OK

These are the sorption and decay parameters that were set during model set-up.

Now, we will define a contaminant concentration boundary:


" Boundaries from the top menu bar
" Constant Concentration
" Yes to save the property changes

Make sure that the model is in Layer 1. We will zoom in on Joes Auto property:
" [F5 – Zoom In] from bottom menu bar

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Move the mouse pointer to a location northwest of Joes Auto (as shown on the DXF) and click the
left mouse button to anchor the zoom window. Stretch the zoom window to include Joes Auto
property and click again, and the Visual MODFLOW window will appear as follows:

We will assign a Constant Concentration to the 2 cells at the west-end of the UST storage area
(i.e. the 2 cells below the “U” that are highlighted on the DXF). Assign constant concentration
cells associated with these cells:
" Assign from the side menu bar
" Single

An Assign Constant Concentration dialogue box will appear. This dialogue box may however, be
on top of the location of the source concentration. To move the window, click and hold the left
mouse button down on the title bar while dragging the window to another location on the screen.
The source concentration is 30 mg/l (Benzene). You will assume that the source concentration
will be constant throughout the simulation time (10 years). Fill in the following parameters in the
Assign Constant Concentration window:
" Stop Time 3650
" Benzene [mg/L] 30

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Click on the 2 CELLS at the west end of the UST area (as shown below). The cells will turn BLUE
after you select them, as shown below:

" OK
" [F6 – Zoom Out] from bottom menu bar

Section 10: Adding a Concentration Monitoring Well


To see how the plume concentration changes over time downgradient of the initial release area,
you will import 2 monitoring wells (one at the property boundary, one at the Rectory well). Later,
you will use these monitoring well to assess plume concentration by displaying a concentration
versus time breakthrough graphs.
" Wells from the top menu bar
" Conc. Observation Wells
" Yes to save source area information

We will import 2 observation wells from a Text file:


" Import Obs. An icon will appear to choose a file

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Highlight con_wells.txt


" Open

An Import Concentration Well Data wizard will appear, which guides you through the import
process. The import file (con_heads.txt) was designed to have the correct information in the
appropriate columns so that observation well information could be imported directly into the
model. Column names are in the first line. There are 7 columns of information:
- Well name, X, Y, Screen ID, Screen Elevation, Observation Time, Benzene Conc.

Use the following screen capture to match the Required Data to column number:

" Next
" Finish

And the observation wells will be imported into the model domain, as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Now, we will run the transport simulation.

Section 11: Running MT3DMS


From the top menu bar:
" File
" Main Menu
" Yes to save observation data
" Run from the Main Menu

MT3D allows you to select the solution method for the advection component of the transport
equation. Depending on the situation, each of the solution method for advection has different
advantages and disadvantages. For this exercise, you will select Upstream Finite Difference,
which is quick and does not introduce much numerical dispersion in this exercise.
" MT3DMS from the top menu bar
" Solution Method

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

In the Solution Method dialogue box,


" ; Implicit GCG solver checkbox
" Upstream Finite Difference from the pull-down menu
" ~ Use total porosity

" OK

Although the flow field is steady-state, you will run a transient transport simulation to see the
evolution of the plume with time. This requires that you specify the duration of the simulation.
" MT3DMS
" Output/Time Steps

The Output & Time Step Control dialogue box will appear. This dialogue box is used to define
the total time of the transport simulation, and to specify the times when you want to view results.
" Simulation time: 3650
" Max # Transport Steps 10000

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

By default, Visual MODFLOW assumes you want to save simulation results at the end of the
simulation only. However, for this example you want to save results at different times as the
simulation progresses.
~ Specified times [day(s)]

In the box that reads Output Time(s), click on the window and type in the following values (but,
do not press “Enter” after typing the last number):
1↵
180↵
365↵
1460↵
1825↵
2190↵
2555↵
2920↵
3285↵ and
3650

Note: do not press enter after the final number (3650), or the window will expect another number,
and the following screen capture will appear:

" OK
" Run from the top menu bar

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The Engines to Run dialogue box will appear prompting you to specify the models to run. Select
MODFLOW 2000 and MT3DMS:
" ; MODFLOW
" ; MT3DMS

" Translate & Run

Visual MODFLOW creates the files necessary to run MODFLOW and MT3D. This simulation
should take less than a minute to complete. MT3D determines the step size for contaminant
transport automatically by attempting to minimize numerical dispersion and oscillations as the
functions relate to flow velocities and grid size of the model.
Depending on the simulation, the optimal time step may be quite small and result in extremely
long run times. Extended run times are common when pumping wells develop high flow velocities
in the area around the well screen.
The VMEngine Suite will once again appear. MODFLOW will run as before, followed by MT3DMS.
As MT3D runs, the transport step, step size, and total elapsed time are displayed.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The current period and transport step being analyzed is displayed at the top of the window beside
the project name. Two progress bars are also displayed. The Steps progress bar displays the
percentage of transport steps, out of the maximum allowable number of transport steps, used so
far. The Time progress bar indicates how much of the total simulation time has been simulated.
After a blue checkmark appears next to the MODFLOW and MT3DMS options, close the Run
option of Visual MODFLOW,
" Close in the corner of the VMEngine window

Section 12: Viewing Concentration Simulation Results


To view the results of your contaminant transport simulation, from the top menu bar,
" Output

The concentration distribution can be visually analyzed in Visual MODFLOW in a variety of ways.
One option is to contour and customize the concentration distribution. Contouring simulation
results allows you to produce a range of contour plots for your site-specific results.
" Maps from the top menu bar

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Contouring
" Concentration

Another useful option to visually analyze your results is color shading, which creates a multi-
color intensity map using the concentration distribution.
" Options from the side menu bar

The C(0) - Benzene dialogue box will appear. Turn off the Automatic reset button:
" … Automatic reset min, max and interval value
" Minimum 1
" ; Custom Contour
type: 1 to add a contour line equal to 1 mg/L

Switch to the Color Shading tab.


" ; Use Color Shading

Now, beneath the title ‘Use Color Shading’ we will change the Minimum value,
type: 1 to replace the minimum “0” value

Next, under the title ‘Cut off Levels’, change the Lower Level cut off,
" ; Lower level
type: 1 to replace the default ‘0’value

Lastly, we will change the Minimum Value under the Ranges to Color bar on the right hand side
type: 1

So that the C(O) – Benzene window appears as shown below:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" OK

Next, step through model output time steps to examine the evolution of the contaminant plume.
" Next from the side menu bar, to the right of Time

To see the concentration distribution after 10 years or 3650 days:


" Time from the side menu bar
" 3650 days
" OK
Your screen display should appear similar to the figure below.

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

Note. that the output time is displayed in the Status Bar on the bottom of the Visual MODFLOW
window.

Section 13: Displaying a Concentration versus Time Graph

Using COW-1 and COW-2, Visual MODFLOW can display a contaminant concentration versus
time breakthrough graph. This feature is useful for predicting contaminant concentration at any
point you specify in the model. To display the graph, follow these steps:
" Select from the side menu bar
" All to choose all Conc. Obs. Wells
" Graphs from the top menu bar
" Time Series
" Concentration

This will bring up a concentration-versus-time graph. Clicking on any point or any portion of the
plotted curve will display a pop-up bubble, which will give you the exact data pertinent to that

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

point. (Clicking again on the pop-up bubble will remove it)

From this graph, the maximum Benzene concentration, at the property boundary (COW-2), after
approximately 1500 days of transport is about 7.6 mg/L, and at the Rectory well is approximately
1.04 mg/L. In order to leave the concentration graph:
" File – Exit from the Conc. vs. Time top menu bar
" [F10 – Main Menu] from the bottom menu bar

Part 3: Contaminant Remediation


The regulatory limit for Benzene, according to the State EPA, is 0.005 mg/l. To achieve this limit,
some degree of source remediation must be used. One approach is to reduce the source area
concentration to a Site Specific Target Level (SSTL) that will achieve 0.005 mg/l at the rectory
well (the nearest Point of Compliance). This is done in Visual MODFLOW by changing the
Constant Concentration in the Input, re-run MODFLOW and MT3DMS, and checking the
Breakthrough concentration in the output.
Go to the Input Menu,
" Input from the Conc. vs. Time top menu bar

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

" Boundaries from the top menu bar


" Constant Concentration
Change the source area concentration to 1.0 mg/l:
" Edit
" Benzene [mg/L] 1.0
" OK
Now, re-run MODFLOW and MT3DMS:
" [F10 – main Menu]
" Yes to save property data
" Run from the Main Menu
" Run from the top menu bar
" Translate & Run
" Close to close the Run window
" Output
To see the breakthrough curve:
" Graphs - Time Series - Concentration
" ; COW-1
And, the following Concentration vs. Time graph will appear:

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

The concentration at the Rectory well is 0.035 mg/l.


The source area concentration is still too high. Go back to the input and change the constant
concentration to 0.10 mg/l. When you re-run MODFLOW and MT3DMS, the breakthrough curve
will appear similar to the following:

The concentration at the rectory well is less than 0.005 mg/l.


Thus, one method of achieving risk-based regulatory levels (SSTLs) is to clean the source area to
a soluble benzene concentration of less than 0.1 mg/l.
Another issue to consider is the uncertainty in model input parameters, and their impact on model
results. Visual MODFLOW can be used to adjust dispersion, sorption and reaction parameters and
run MODFLOW and MT3DMS to check the impact on the concentration breakthrough curves.
This provides you with the opportunity to see which natural attenuation parameters have the
biggest impact on the uncertainty in model results.

If time permits, adjust the following parameters to see the impact on concentration output:
• dispersion: from 21.0 feet ⇒ 10.5 feet (based on 5% of plume length)
• sorption: from 6.6E-7 L/mg ⇒ 6.6 E-8 L/mg (based on foc = 0.001)

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Visual MODFLOW Exercise: Joe’s Auto

• degradation: from 0.01 /day ⇒ 0.001 /day (based on 0.365 /year)

To summarize, Visual MODFLOW is a useful modeling tool for Risk Assessment modeling. It is
easy to develop a simple groundwater flow and solute transport model that can be used to
investigate the soluble contaminant concentration downgradient of a spill area. The model can be
developed to have flat layers, constant parameters and a simple source area, just as easily as
would be developed using a Tier 2 Analytical Model such as BioScreen.
However, using Visual MODFLOW allows you the flexibility to increase the complexity of the
solution as more detailed field investigation information is gathered. For example, as more
information is gathered about the distribution of hydraulic conductivity, or the complexity of the
source area concentration, the Visual MODFLOW model can easily be adapted to develop a more
complex solution. As well, for the next stage in site investigation where a remedial solution is
required, Visual MODFLOW is quite useful for determine the optimal design solutions (pump-and-
treat well location, source removal, funnel-and-gate systems, …).

This concludes the Joe’s Auto Exercise

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