Calculating ground water transit time of horizontal flow through leaky aquifers

Ground Water. 2008 Jan-Feb;46(1):160-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00393.x.

Abstract

The calculation of ground water transit times is one important factor in ground water protection. In this paper, we present an analytical solution for the transit time for a Dupuit-type flow system applicable to saturated flow through a horizontal leaky aquifer discharging to a downgradient fixed-head boundary under steady-state conditions. We investigate the influence of leakage when comparing the resulting travel times of our model based on head-dependent leakage with the commonly used model with no leakage and a simplified model with constant leakage. The results show significant differences in the position of the water divide and transit time, suggesting that leakage cannot be ignored.

MeSH terms

  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Permeability
  • Time
  • Water Movements*
  • Water Supply*