GMS TUTORIALS

MODFLOW – Managing Transient Data

Building a transient simulation typically requires the management of large amounts of

transient data from a variety of sources including pumping well data, recharge data, river
stages, and water levels in observation wells. Gathering and formatting such data can be
very tedious. Fortunately, GMS provides a powerful suite of tools for inputting and
managing transient data. These tools allow all data to be managed using a date/time
format that eliminates much of the extra data processing that is often required with
modeling projects. This tutorial illustrates how these tools are used.

This tutorial is based on the MODFLOW model. It is recommended that you complete
the MODFLOW - Conceptual Model Approach tutorial prior to beginning this tutorial.
Although, this particular model is based on MODFLOW, the tools associated with
transient data are designed as general-purpose tools and can be used with other models.

1.1 Outline
This is what you will do:

1. Open a MODFLOW model and solution.

2. Enter transient data.

3. Import well pump data file.

4. Set up stress periods and define additional conditions.

5. Run MODFLOW.

6. Import transient observation data and create plots.

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1.2 Required Modules/Interfaces

You will need the following components enabled to complete this tutorial:

• Grid

• Map

• MODFLOW

You can see if these components are enabled by selecting the File | Register command.

2 Description of Problem

The model we will be using in this tutorial is the same model used in the Error!
Reference source not found. tutorial. We will use the computed heads from the steady-
state calibrated flow model as the starting heads for our transient simulation. Transient
recharge and pumping conditions will be modeled. The recharge rates will be manually
entered but the pumping rates will be imported from a text file. We will also import a set
of transient-field-observed heads from observation wells.

3 Getting Started
Let’s get started.

1. If necessary, launch GMS. If GMS is already running, select the File | New
command to ensure that the program settings are restored to their default state.

4 Reading in the Project

First, we will read in the project:

1. Select the Open button .

2. Locate and open the tutfiles\MODFLOW\trans directory.

3. Open the file entitled [Link].

You should see a MODFLOW model with a solution and a set of map coverages. Two
of the coverages are the source/sink and hydraulic conductivity coverages used to define
the conceptual model. The active coverage is the recharge coverage.

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5 Transient Data Strategy

When entering the time values associated with transient data, MODFLOW requires that
the time be entered as scalar time values relative to a time value of zero at the beginning
of the simulation. Furthermore, the times must be compatible with the time unit selected
for the model. This approach can be time-consuming since transient data must be
converted from a date/time format to relative time format. The strategy used in GMS for
managing transient data makes it possible to enter all time values using a simple
date/time format. Transient data are entered in the conceptual model using date/time
values. The time at the beginning of the first MODFLOW stress period is the reference
time. This represents the date/time corresponding to t=0 in the simulation. When the
model is converted from the conceptual model to the grid model, the time values in the
conceptual model are automatically mapped to the appropriate time values corresponding
to the MODFLOW stress periods. When the MODFLOW model is saved to disk, the
date/time values are converted to the appropriate relative time values.

In addition to ease of use, another advantage of the transient data strategy used in GMS
is that both the spatial and temporal components of the conceptual model are defined
independently of the discretization used in both the grid spacing and the stress period
size. The user can change the stress period spacing and regenerate the model from the
conceptual model in seconds.

6 Entering Transient Data in the Map Module

The first step in setting up our transient model is to associate our transient data with the
feature objects in the Map Module.

6.1 Assigning the Transient Recharge Rate

First, we will assign the transient recharge rate for the recharge zones. The recharge
zones are shown in Figure 6-1. There are four recharge zones defined by five polygons.
We will leave the recharge rate for zone 1 at zero. We will assign a transient recharge
rate to the other three zones.

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Recharge Zones

3 3

Figure 6-1 Recharge Zones

To assign the recharge data:

1. Expand the BigVal conceptual model item in the Project Explorer.

2. Select the Recharge coverage to make it active.

3. Choose the Select Polygon tool .

4. Select the polygon corresponding to recharge zone 2 in Figure 6-1.

5. Select Properties button .

6. For the Recharge rate, click the down arrow button and select the
<transient> option from the drop down list.

7. Now click the button for the Recharge rate to bring up the XY Series Editor.

8. Select the Use dates/times toggle.

9. Enter the following date/times and recharge rates:

Date/Time Recharge Rate (ft/day)
10/1/1985 [Link] AM 0.001
1/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.001
1/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.0005
3/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.0005
3/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.006
7/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.006
7/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.005
10/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.005
10/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.001

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12/1/1986 [Link] AM 0.001

10. Select the OK button twice to exit both dialogs.

Instead of repeating this same procedure for the other recharge zones we will import
previously generated time series curves. These curves were generated using this same
editor and saved to text files using the Export button.

11. Select the two polygons that make up recharge zone 3 in Figure 6-1. Click on
the first polygon and then hold down the Shift key while clicking on the second
polygon.

12. Select Properties button .

13. In the Recharge Rate column for the All row, select the down arrow button
and select the <transient> option from the drop down list. This will
automatically bring up the XY Series Editor.

14. Select the Import button near the bottom of the dialog.

15. Select the file named [Link].

16. Select the Open button. A time series curve should appear in the dialog. Click
OK.

17. Select the OK button.

18. Repeat the same procedure with recharge zone 4 except import the file named
[Link].

6.2 Importing Pumping Well Data

In addition to the transient recharge data, our simulation will also contain a transient
pumping schedule for the three wells in the model. Since our model only has three wells,
the transient pumping schedules could easily be entered by hand. However, we will
import the well data from a text file. This method is particularly useful for models with
lots of wells and/or complicated pumping schedules.

Pumping well data is typically imported using two files. The first file contains the name,
screen geometry, and xy coordinates of the wells. The second file contains the pumping
schedules. Since the well locations are already defined, we only need to import the
pumping schedules. The format for this file is as follows:

Name date time Q

"well 1" 12/3/1999 [Link] 625.0
"well 1" 1/30/2000 [Link] 0.0
"well 1" 3/27/2000 [Link] 200.0
"well 2" 12/3/1999 [Link] 0.0
"well 2" 12/5/1999 [Link] 100.0
…

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The name column must be included. This tells GMS how to link the transient pumping
data to the wells in the map module. The first time an entry is found for a particular
well, if the well is steady state, it is changed to transient and a pumping rate time series is
created for the well. Each time a subsequent line is read with the same well name, GMS
adds a point to the time series. The dates and times can be in any standard format.

To import the well pumping data file:

1. Select the Sources & Sinks coverage from the Project Explorer to make it
the active coverage.

2. Select the Open button .

3. In the Open dialog, change the Files of type selection to Text Files (*.txt).

4. Select the file named [Link] and click Open.

5. In the Import Wizard, turn on the Heading row option and click Next.

6. Change the GMS data type to Pumping data and click Finish.

7. Select Yes at the prompt to import the pumping data as a step function.

8. Select the Select Points/Nodes tool .

9. Double-click on any of the wells and note that the Flow rate says <transient>.
You may want to click on the button to see the curve.

10. Select OK to exit the dialog(s).

6.3 Assigning Specific Yield

Next, we need to assign the storage coefficient to the aquifer. Since this is a 1 layer
unconfined aquifer, we need to assign the specific yield.

1. Double-click on the Hydraulic Conductivity coverage in the Project

Explorer to bring up the Coverage Setup dialog.

2. In the list of Areal Properties, turn on Specific yield.

3. Click OK to exit the dialog.

4. Select the Select Polygon tool .

5. Select the polygons labeled 1 and 2 in the figure below.

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2
1

Figure 6-2 Hydraulic Conductivity Zones

6. Select Properties button .

7. Assign a Specific yield value of 0.20 to both polygons and select the OK button
to exit the dialog.

8. Repeat the same procedure with the polygons labeled 3 and 4 only this time
assign a value of 0.15 for the specific yield.

7 Initializing MODFLOW Stress Periods

Before converting our conceptual model we need to set up the stress periods.

7.1 Changing the MODFLOW Simulation to Transient

First, we will change the current MODFLOW simulation from a steady-state simulation
to transient.

1. In the Project Explorer expand the MODFLOW item

2. In the Project Explorer right-click on the Global package and select the
Properties… command.

3. In the Model type section, select the Transient option.

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7.2 Setting up the Stress Periods

Now we will set up the stress period information for MODFLOW.

1. Select the Stress Periods button.

2. Make sure the Use dates/times option is turned on.

When the Use dates/times option is used, all input fields in the MODFLOW interface in
the 3D Grid module expect the date/time format for input. The date/time format is used
to display time values such as the time step values when post-processing. If the option is
not used, scalar time values (e.g., 100, 120, etc.) are displayed.

3. Change the Number of stress periods to 7.

We want the stress periods to match the times where our input data in the map module
changes. For example, the value for recharge changes at three different dates 1/1/1986,
3/1/1986, and 7/1/1986. Therefore, we need to make sure that we have stress periods
that start at those times and at the time corresponding to changes in the pumping
schedules.

4. Enter the following times and time steps for the stress periods.
Start Num time steps
1 10/1/1985 [Link] AM 2
2 1/1/1986 [Link] AM 1
3 3/1/1986 [Link] AM 8
4 5/1/1986 [Link] AM 4
5 6/1/1986 [Link] AM 4
6 7/1/1986 [Link] AM 8
7 9/1/1986 [Link] AM 8
End 12/1/1986 [Link] AM

5. Select the OK button to exit the Stress Periods dialog.

6. Select the OK button to exit the Global Package dialog.

8 Converting the Conceptual Model

Now we will convert our conceptual model data to MODFLOW input data.

1. Right-click on the BigVal conceptual model in the Project Explorer and

select the Map to | MODFLOW/MODPATH command.

2. Select OK at the prompt to use All applicable coverages.

3. Select OK at the prompt to acknowledge that the xy series will be extrapolated to

our numerical model.

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9 Setting Starting Heads

For transient models, you should either set the starting heads equal to the solution
generated from a steady state model, or allow some time in the beginning of the transient
model for the heads to stabilize before applying any changes in stresses (pumping rates,
recharge rates etc.). We’ll take the first approach.

1. In the Project Explorer expand the Global package and double-click on the
Starting Heads data set .

2. Click the 3D Data Set
Grid button.

3. In the Project Explorer, expand the 3D Grid Data folder .

4. Expand the start (MODFLOW) solution and select the Head data set.

5. Click OK twice to exit all dialogs.

10 Saving and Running MODFLOW

We are now ready to save the model and launch MODFLOW.

1. Select the File | Save As command.

2. Make sure the Save simulations in project folder using project filename option is
on.

3. Save the project with the name [Link].

4. Select the MODFLOW | Run MODFLOW command.

5. Once MODFLOW has finished, select the Close button to close the window and
return to GMS.

The contours should change.

6. Expand the trans1 (MODFLOW) item in the Project Explorer and select the
Head data set .

7. Use the Time Steps window to cycle through the different time steps of the
solution to see how the pumping schedules of the wells affect the computed
heads.

11 Transient Observation Data

Next, we will input transient observation data for this simulation. Transient observation
well data are also entered using the date/time format. The data can be entered either

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manually or by importing a text file containing the transient measurements. We will use
the text file option. We will import the observation point locations from a map file and
then import the transient observations from a text file.

11.1 Importing Transient Observation Data

First we need to read in the Map file containing the observation wells.

1. Select the Open button .

2. In the Open dialog, select the Import into current project toggle.

3. Change the Files of type selection to Project Files (*.gpr).

4. Open the file named [Link].

5. Select No at the prompt.

6. Select the Frame button .

You should see several observation points appear.

11.2 Transient Observation Data File

Now we will import the transient observation data associated with the observation wells.
The transient observation data file format is almost identical to the pumping rate has the
following format:

name date time head

"OBS_Q5" 12/3/1999 [Link] 238.5
"OBS_Q5" 1/30/2000 [Link] 834.7
"OBS_Q6" 3/27/2000 [Link] 878.3
"OBS_Q6" 12/3/1999 [Link] 733.2
"OBS_Q6" 12/5/1999 [Link] 838.2
…

The name column must be included. This tells GMS how to link the transient
observation data to the points in the observation coverage.

The first column in the header line defines the name of the measurement. This
measurement should be turned on in the Coverage Setup dialog before the first file is
imported.

As each line is imported, the matching observation point is found and the observed head
is added to the time series for the point.

This file should have the extension *.txt. The file is imported through the Open
command in the File menu dialog.

To import the file:

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1. Expand the Observation Wells (2) conceptual model and double-click on the
Observation Wells coverage in the Project Explorer.

2. In the column of Observation Points attributes, turn on the Trans. Head attribute
and click OK.

3. Select the Open button .

4. In the Open dialog, change the Files of type selection to Text Files (*.txt).

5. Open the file named trans_obs.txt.

6. In the File Import Wizard, turn on the Heading row option and click the Next
button.

7. Set the GMS data type to Transient observation data.

8. In the trans_head column, set the Type to Obs. Trans. Head, and click Finish.

Now we have to re-run MODFLOW.

9. Select the Save button .

10. Select the 3D Grid Data Folder in the Project Explorer.

11. Select the MODFLOW | Run MODFLOW command.

12. When MODFLOW finishes running, select Close.

The observation targets should now appear. Notice that if you change the time step in
the Project Explorer, the observation targets are updated accordingly. Also, notice that
for the last time step of the solution the observation targets appear “washed out.” This is
because the MODFLOW solution is outside the time range of observed head at the wells.

11.3 Creating Transient Observation Plots

Finally, we will create two types of plots to view our transient observation data. The
first plot is the Error vs time step plot. This plot displays the mean error (me), mean
absolute error (mae), and the root mean squared error (rms) as a function of time.

1. Select the Plot Wizard button .

2. Change the plot type to Error vs. Time Step.

3. Select the Next button.

4. Select the Finish button to exit the dialog.

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The plot shows that the error between the observed and computed values decreases
slightly with time. The second type of plot that is useful for transient observation data is
the time series plot.

1. Select the Plot Wizard button .

2. Change the plot type to Time Series.

3. Select the Next button.

4. Toggle on points Point #8 and Point #10.

5. Turn on the Calibration Target toggle.

6. Select the Finish button to exit the dialog.

Wells to select

Figure 11-1 Observation Wells

Notice the dashed lines next to each curve. These dashed lines match the interval defined
for each observation point. This makes it so you can easily see where the computed
values fall within the observation target.

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12 Conclusion
This concludes this tutorial. Here are the things that you should have learned in this
tutorial:

• When you bring up the properties dialog for objects in the Map module, you can
enter transient data by using the button.

• You can import transient pumping data for wells and transient observation data.
The wells or observation points must already exist.

• GMS can show dates and times as scalar values (0.0, 2.5 etc.) or in date/time
format (12/03/2003).

• You must define your MODFLOW stress periods before you use the Feature
Objects | Map
MODFLOW / MODPATH command.

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