Interactive Modeling of the Aquifers Near the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

Abstract An attempt is made to model the flow of groundwater in the aquifers near the divide-cut section of the projected Tennessee-Tombiobee Waterway. The groundwater flow study is done by the application of computer interactive graphics modeling in order to optimize the collaboration between modelers and geologists that are familiar with the area considered. The study is done by gradually refining the computer model in conjunction with a growing understanding of the system considered, resulting from inter-action between model predictions, observations and input from geologists. A two dimensional groundwater model is used to approximate both the present and future groundwater regimes at average steady-state conditions. The system of two aquifers is modeled as being infinite as no closed boundary exists. The boundary conditions are applied along creeks and rivers and are incorporated by the use of a boundary element method. A novel approach is used to model the inter-action between the two aquifers efficiently. The gradual development toward the current view of the aquifer system is shown and has greatly been affected by the use of computer inter-active graphics and the collaboration between modelers and geologists.