Author(s): C. D. Wasko; W. A. Timms; B. M. Miller
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Groundwater modelling; Fractures; Evapotranspiration extinction
Abstract: Groundwater modelling in a fractured rock environment, with large seasonal groundwater table fluctuations presents a unique challenge. Groundwater levels vary on a seasonal basis in the order of 4 m, with wetting and drying of surface layers. In this paper, modelling techniques used to develop a stable and realistic numerical model for such challenging conditions at the Ranger mine site are presented. These techniques include using the Equation Editor in FEFLOW to vary the amount of evapotranspiration (ET) with depth, and introducing discrete feature elements into the groundwater model. The ET function depends on water table depth and differs from typical step functions by gradually decreasing with depth.
Year: 2011