MODFLOW GAGE Package Support

MODFLOW Gage package (GAGE) support has been added to GMS 9.0.  The Gage package provides the ability to create gage stations for a given lake ID or SFR stream reach. When the simulation is run, time series output is generated for each gage station. GMS support for the package includes the ability to add gage stations to a MODFLOW simulation. When a MODFLOW solution is read, the output gage files are listed in the solution folder.  Gage output files can be viewed by double clicking on the file in the solution folder.  GMS also supports the ability to generate gage plots.

July 2012 Sprint Highlights

Some of the more interesting accomplishments from the July 2012 sprint:

• Released GMS 8.3! See what's new!
• Fixed over 20 bugs.
• Upgraded to the latest MODFLOW executables.
• Finished a MODFLOW STR package tutorial.
• Finished the SUB package interface, including a new tutorial.
• Put back exporting a map file.
• More progress on rasters including two new tutorials.
• Implemented "Stochastic Predictive" mode - populating parameter randomization stochastic simulations with results from a null space Monte Carlo run.
• Added statistical analysis for parameter arrays (not just the head data).
• Created a list of videos sorted by category on the GMS YouTube playlist.
• Implemented the PCGN2 solver.
• Made progress on the PHT3D interface design.
• Posted a PDF snapshot of the wiki for GMS 8.3.
• Made progress on project-on-the-fly

MNW2 - Multinode Well 2 Package

GMS version 8.3 has added support for the MNW2 package in MODFLOW. This package is an update to the MNW1 package. In addition to supporting the capabilities of the MNW1 package, the MNW2 package can also calculate additional head changes due to partial penetration affects, flow into a borehole through a seepage face, changes in well discharge related to changes in lift for a given pump, intraborehole flows with a pump intake located at any specified depth in the well, and improved capability to simulate nonvertical wells.

Take a look at the GMS learning center here for new tutorials with the MNW2 package.





GMS supports manually creating/editing MNW2 boundary conditions directly on the MODFLOW grid.

In addition, the conceptual modeling tools have been updated to support the MNW2 package.

GMS continues to add support for MODFLOW packages. Look for more packages in the near future. Happy modeling!

June 2012 Sprint Highlights

Some of the more interesting accomplishments from the June 2012 sprint:

• Fixed over 10 bugs
• Switched all model code to use the newer version of Visual Fortran
• Taught a GMS training course in France
• Good progress on the MODFLOW SUB package interface
• Updated MODFLOW-NWT with the latest from the USGS
• Overhauled the MODFLOW menu to make it more usable
• Implemented more raster features including a raster catalog and virtual earth dialog buttons
• Added text in the MODFLOW Global Options dialog to show what MODFLOW executable will be used
• Added support for multiple CAD files
• Created a CAD properties dialog
• Overhauled how z values relate to the active data set for TINs, 2D meshes and 2D scatter points to make it simpler and easier
• Started displaying the current project and the latitude and longitude at the bottom of the graphics window

May 2012 Sprint Highlights

Some of the more interesting accomplishments from the May 2012 sprint:

• Fixed over 19 bugs
• Overhauled the MODFLOW ccf file reader to be more generic
• Much progress on the MODFLOW SUB package
• Updated MODFLOW 2005 executable with the latest changes from USGS
• Mostly finished phase 1 of PEST Null Space Monte Carlo support
• Began adapting MODFLOW LGR to GMS format
• Finished several raster features including interpolation and conversion to/from other object types
• Added more "Open containing folder" commands where they were needed
• Made it so we just link to CAD files instead of saving them with the project
• Added duplication of MODFLOW array data in the Project Explorer
• Removed the interface for flow observations with the SFR package since MODFLOW doesn't support this
• Added commands to Expand / Collapse most items in the Project Explorer
• Split the MODFLOW conceptual model tutorial into two separate tutorials
• Finished the MODFLOW MNW2 package tutorial for non-vertical wells and pump capacity
• Added more bitmaps in the menus and made the old ones look better

GMS Training, Nancy, France - Recap

From June 12-15, 2012, members of the GMS development team and Dr. Norman Jones taught a GMS training course in Nancy, France at the Institut National Polytechique de Lorraine.

Many thanks to Dr. Fabrice Golfier for helping to organize the class. Individuals from Europe and the Middle East were able to come together and learn about the most advanced groundwater modeling software available, GMS. Once again the course attendees commented on the many powerful features available in GMS and how they could use the software in their work. Thanks to all those who attended.

Dr. Norm Jones teaching a lecture during the course

Velocity vectors

Beginning with version 8.2, GMS can now generate velocity vectors using information from the MODFLOW cell-to-cell flow (ccf) file. Several pieces of information are required to compute groundwater flow velocity from a MODFLOW model. First, the amount of flow in the I, J, and K directions for a given cell is read from the CCF file. If a particular cell contains a boundary condition that is withdrawing water (such as a well) then the flow in the I, J, and K directions is decreased based on the amount of flow leaving the cell through the boundary condition. Next, the saturated area is calculated in the I, J, and K directions. For the I and J directions it is necessary to use the top and bottom elevations that are specified in MODFLOW's discretization package. If the particular cell is part of an unconfined aquifer then it is also necessary to get the computed head for the cell as the computed head is most likely below the top elevation of the cell. The final piece of information necessary for the calculation is porosity. Although porosity is not part of the MODFLOW inputs, using GMS you can specify porosity on a per cell basis. Once the flows, areas, and porosity are assembled the groundwater flow velocity is computed using the following equations:

Velocity.I = Flow.I / (SaturatedArea.I * porosity)
Velocity.J = Flow.J / (SaturatedArea.J * porosity)
Veloctiy.K = Flow.K / (Area.K * porosity)

To create a velocity vector data set from a MODFLOW CCF file in GMS you simply right click on the CCF data in the GMS Project Explorer and select the CCF -> Velocity Vectors command.

Conversion from CCF to Velocity Vectors

Once you have a vector data set you can adjust the display of the vectors by going to the Display Options dialog for the 3D grid and turning on the Vectors check box. If you select the Options button next to the Vectors check box you have further control over the display of the vectors.

Velocity Vector Plot in GMS