Exercises 243

Exercise 3: Computation of regional groundwater flow

Consider the extensive alluvial plain shown in Figure E.3. The plain
is bordered by marly limestones in the west and east, and by a sea
coast in the south. In the north, the alluvial plain narrows, but also
extends into an adjacent plain. Underlying the plain is an extensive
groundwater system consisting of a single sandy aquifer overlain by a
less permeable top layer. The marly limestones that also form the basis
of the aquifer are considered to be impermeable.

groundwater table
42
sandy aquifer
top layer 39
marly limestone
36
spring
31 35
29
26
alluvial
25

19 26
14 20
15
Figure E.3. Map (below) 16
showing average groundwater 10
levels in the aquifer and 5
9
section (above), showing the B A
main flow components.
244 Introduction to Hydrogeology

In the aquifer, the mainly horizontal groundwater flow is directed

from the northern boundary of the plain towards the coast. With the
exception of section AB where groundwater discharges, the shown
stream has no hydraulic connection with the aquifer. Before ground-
water abstractions were put into place, data on groundwater levels
(hydraulic heads) were collected in investigation wells that were turned
into observation wells. Figure E.3 shows the average groundwater
levels of several observation years.
Pumping tests were also carried out in the investigation wells. In
the northern part of the plain these tests indicated an average aquifer
transmissivity of 2500 m2/day. Aquifer material in the southern part
of the plain is rather fine-grained and the tests indicated transmissivity
values in the order of 1500 m2/day.

Assignment 1
Draw groundwater level contour lines (groundwater head contour
lines) for the alluvial aquifer, using a 5 m contour line interval.

Assignment 2
Compute the groundwater flow rate through the aquifer at the entrance
of the plain, using the appropriate formulation of the Darcy’s Law
equation and contour lines in the range of 35 and 40 m.

Assignment 3
Also compute the groundwater flow rate through the aquifer near the
coast, using contour lines in the range of 10 and 15 m.

Assignment 4
Compare the groundwater flow rate through the aquifer at the entrance
of the plain with the flow rate near the coast, and explain any differ-
ences in rate.
Note: For the computation of groundwater flow you may use a map
scale of 1:100,000, but actually a scale is not needed.