Aquifer Characterization: A Case Study of Snake Valley, Nevada
This module focuses on the analysis of well tests (i.e. pump and slug tests) to determine key aquifer properties including hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, and storativity and their related uncertainties. In addition, this module provides an overview of aquifers, hydraulic properties, ...
Aquifer Characterization: A Case Study of Snake Valley, Nevada University of South Alabama - GY425 View Course This module introduces the use of pump tests and slug tests to determine aquifer hydraulic properties at wells. Target Audience This module was written to supplement hydrogeology classes at the advanced undergraduate or early graduate student level. It assumes the student to have a working understanding of Darcy's Law, hydraulic conductivity, aquifer properties, and the basic groundwater flow equations in two dimensions. Module Overview This module focuses on the analysis of well tests (i.e. pump and slug tests) to determine key aquifer properties including hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, and storativity and their related uncertainties. In addition, this module provides an overview of aquifers, hydraulic properties, aquifer characterization methods, and wells. A case study centered on a proposed plan to withdraw groundwater from the Snake Valley provides a real-world, case study for well test analyses. Topics Covered The purposes, techniques, and applications of aquifer testing Pump tests, applications, and methods of analysis Slug Tests, applications, and methods of analysis Learning Objectives The student will be able to explain why hydrogeologists and engineers characterize aquifers. (Bloom's taxonomy level 2: Understanding) Given field data, the student will be able to solve for hydraulic properties using different methods. (Level 3:Applying) Given imperfect field data, the student will be able to analyze the range of uncertainty in hydraulic parameters. (Level 4:Analyzing) Given a description of an aquifer test, the student will be able to select an appropriate analysis method and justify that choice (Level 5: Evaluating) The student will be able to demonstrate effective communication of complex scientific analyses to people who are already familiar with the underlying concepts (Level 3: Applying) Course Authors Alex Beebe Associate Professor, Geology University of South Alabama. Contact: dbeebe@southalabama.edu Mark Hausner Associate Research Professor, Hydrology Desert Research Institute. Contact: mark.hausner@dri.edu Tools Needed Computer with access to Internet Software (such as Excel, Matlab, R) for plotting data Course Sharing and Adaptation This course is available for export by clicking the "Export Link" at the top right of this page. If you are an Instructor seeking the answer keys, please contact the course creators using your official University email account. Course Sharing and Adaptation This course is available for export by clicking the "Export Link" at the top right of this page. If you are an Instructor seeking the answer keys, please contact the course creators using your official University email account. Sections This course is designed with stand-alone sections covering aquifer characterization, pump tests, and slug tests that can be used as needed for instruction. There is no requirement to complete the sections in sequence. Course Citation Beebe, A. and Hausner, M. (2021). Aquifer Characterization: A Case Study of Snake Valley, Nevada. https://edx.hydrolearn.org/courses/course-v1:USA_DRI+GY425+2021_T1/about Expected Effort This module should take approximately 15 hours to complete.