Building MODFLOW Model in ModelMuse GUI For Bari Doab

Abstract

Muhammad Basharat and Muhammad Jawad

This steady state groundwater model was developed in ModelMuse GUI developed by USGS, for irrigated areas of Bari Doab with an area of 2.95657 Mha (million hectares) GCA (gross command area). Under this study, the data of depth to watertable in all canal commands of Bari Doab was also collected and analyzed. Canal water supplies have recharged the aquifer and created a groundwater resource in the command areas. Continued abstraction and extensive exploitation of groundwater have resulted in the depletion of the ground watertable especially in fresh groundwater areas. Although there is clear evidence of groundwater over exploitation, in the form of falling watertables, even then, hundreds of new wells are being installed every year without knowing the sustainability of the aquifer for meeting this increased demand.

For this purpose, ModelMuse GUI (graphical user interface), which is downloadable without any fee, was used for building MODFLOW model for Bari Doab, which can be used for different scenario simulations such as climate change and re-allocation. Model was calibrated and graphs were prepared in Excel. According to the calibration results, farmers are pumping 50 to 60 % higher than canal and rainfall recharge to groundwater.

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