Effective Ground Water Models for Solving Practical Problems

This talk will present three case histories of the successful use of groundwater models in solving practical groundwater problems. The models that will be discussed will range from the use of a simple analytical solution to a complex numerical model calibrated with PEST; models developed in days to models developed over several years. These case studies will be used to illustrate the speaker's perspective, based on constructing and using in his consulting practice hundreds of groundwater models, the appropriate balance between complexity and simplicity. He will explain, based on his experiences, what makes an effective groundwater model, and provide simple guidelines for judging the likely effectiveness of a groundwater model.