Regional Groundwater Flow

• Aquifer perspective vs. Flow System perspective

• Definition of a groundwater flow system
• Effect of topography on groundwater flow
systems
• Effect of geology on groundwater flow systems
• Effect of surface water on groundwater flow
systems
• Case studies
Aquifer perspective

An aquifer is viewed primarily as a static reservoir for storage of groundwater

resources.

Flow-System perspective

An aquifer is viewed as a dynamic flow system with complex patterns of

movement and circulation.

Local

Groundwater
Groundwater divide
Intermediate
divide

Regional Toth (1962)

Toth (1963)
Impermeable bottom
 System Concept and Importance
• An orderly combination or arrangement of parts or
elements into a whole, especially such combination
according to some rational principle giving it unity an
whole

• A groundwater flow system is a three-dimensional body

of moving groundwater bound by a close surface – the
boundary surfaces of the flow system

• An organized and technically sound framework for

thinking and executing groundwater investigation
Steps in Developing a Conceptual Model
of a Groundwater System
(from Franke et al., 1990)
Flow System Mapping
Recharge: downward gradient at water table
Discharge: upward gradient at water table
Topography-driven flow system
Effect of geology on groundwater flow systems

Isotropic aquifer

Anisotropic aquifer

Low-K overlying high-K strata

High-K overlying low-K strata

Effect of geology on groundwater flow systems (cont.)

Implications for
Sloping confining bed waste disposal

Horizontal confining bed

Effect of geology on groundwater flow systems (cont.)

Shallow basin

Deep basin
with same
topography
Effect of surface water on groundwater flow systems

Winter et al. (1999)

Groundwater-Lake Interaction

Lake receiving groundwater recharge

Lake discharging to groundwater

Flow-through lake
Groundwater flow systems in the vicinity of surface water bodies
May 1984 Case Study

Wisconsin Central Sand Plain

Impact of drainage ditch

on groundwater flow

July 1984 August 1984

Case Study

Long Island, New York