Title: The application of groundwater modelling to simulate the behaviour of groundwater resources in the Ramhormooz Aquifer, Iran

Authors: Masoud Saatsaz; Manouchehr Chitsazan; Saeid Eslamian; Wan Nor Azmin Sulaiman

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, University Putra of Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Geology, College of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University, Golestan Blvd., Ahvaz 61357-831351, Iran. ' Department of Water Engineering, Collage of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 8415683111, Iran. ' Department of Environmental Science, University Putra of Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: In this study, groundwater modelling was proposed as management tool in Ramhormooz Plain, south western Iran. After definition of a conceptual model, the necessary data were defined into various packages of MODFLOW. Subsequently, the model was calibrated by trial and error estimation and the results were finally optimised by PMWIN through PEST code. After verification process, the model was used as a management tool for evaluating four management alternatives, including prediction of groundwater levels according to average historical recharge and discharge conditions, development of aquifer, prediction of aquifer response to installation of drainage and response against conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater in critical areas.

Keywords: groundwater modelling; numerical modelling; MODFLOW; PMWIN; Ramhormooz Aquifer; Iran; water management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2011.043315

International Journal of Water, 2011 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.29 - 42

Published online: 24 Oct 2011 *

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