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UNIT 1 -- WHAT IS MODELING?:

A Model is a representation of a system. Modeling begins when one formulates a concept of a hydrologic system, continues with application of, for example, Darcy's Law or the Theis equation to the problem, and may culminate in a complex numerical simulation.

The OBJECTIVE of UNIT 1 is for you to:

* UNDERSTAND why we model ground-water systems and problems

* KNOW the TYPES of problems we typically model

* UNDERSTAND what a ground-water model is

* KNOW the STEPS in the MODELING PROCESS

* KNOW the STEPS in a GEOHYDROLOGIC PROJECT and how the MODELING PROCESS fits in

* KNOW HOW to FORMULATE & SOLVE very SIMPLE ground-water MODELS

* COMPREHEND the VALUE of SIMPLE ground water MODELS

DISCUSSION

Study the basic modeling concepts on the following pages in order to understand why we model ground-water systems and problems, what a ground-water model is, and to study the steps in a geohydrologic project including how modeling fits into a project.

BASIC CONCEPTS MAIN PAGE

EXERCISES

If you chose to purchase Applied Groundwater Modeling,
read the Preface and Chapter 1.

If you chose to purchase Introduction to Groundwater Modeling,
read section 1.1

Explore the following exercise

LAKE FLUX EXERCISE

Later we will need some proprietary GUIs for the class. It is productive to download and install them well before you need them so you can get a password early and make sure the code works on your computer. Then if you have any problems, there will be ample time to resolve them

If you do not have the Ground Water Modeling System (GMS) on your computer: If you have a high speed connection you can go to the Download Page, otherwise borrow a CD from me, and install it on your computer. Then begin the reigstration process by going to File>Register and sending the security string to me epoeter@mines.edu.
If you do not have Ground Water Vistas (GWV) on your computer, If you have a high speed connection you can go to the Download Page, otherwise borrow a CD from me, and install it on your computer. You will need to first install gwv.exe, then install the update, then run gwv and go to help, about, register and email the system code to me at epoeter@mines.edu.

COMMUNICATION

It is nice to get to know one another better, so please respond to the following questions.

epoeter@mines.edu

If you are not in my physical classroom, please do the following:

1. Why are you interested in ground-water modeling?

Please introduce yourself, explain who you are, where you are from, what your current endeavor is (for example, MS student; state government hydrologist; or consulting hydrologist) and explain why you would like to learn more about ground-water modeling. Knowing your motives helps me improve the class.

2. Let me know about: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Please comment on items that you like and those you do not like in the course. Please make suggestions regarding what I could do to make the course better. Please send email whenever you notice an error or "typo" so that I can correct it.

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