
Thursday, December 6, 2007 : 2:15 p.m.
Aquifer Test Analysis: A Modern Approach
With the ever-increasing power of computers and software, it has become practical to use even the most sophisticated methods (e.g., variable rates, multiaquifer systems, horizontal wells, fractured wells, strip aquifers) for the evaluation of aquifer test data. Modern software packages provide graphical diagnostic tools such as derivative analysis to (1) identify important features such as wellbore storage, wellbore skin and boundary effects and (2) guide the selection of appropriate solution methods. In addition to facilitating traditional curve matching through the user interface, these packages can incorporate automatic curve fitting to optimize the match between a solution (i.e., type curve) and time-drawdown data with the added benefit of providing statistical measures of model fit (e.g., confidence intervals and significance tests). Thus, a modern approach to aquifer test analysis should take advantage of the power afforded by today’s specialized software.
Glenn Duffield, HydroSOLVE Inc. Glenn M. Duffield is the president of HydroSOLVE, Inc. and the author of AQTESOLV, an interactive software package first released in 1989 for the analysis of aquifer tests (pumping tests, slug tests and constant-drawdown tests). He has over 23 years of experience as a consultant in the areas of ground-water flow and solute transport modeling, aquifer testing and software development. Glenn also leads several short courses each year relating to aquifer test analysis. He received his B.S. in geology from Juniata College and M.S. in geology from Penn State. Glenn is currently an Associate Editor for Ground Water.