Model:MODFLOW

Edit Model information

MODFLOW

Metadata

Summary Contact Technical specs In/Output Process Testing Other Component info Also known as Model type Modular Model part of larger framework Note on status model Date note status model Incorporated models or components: Spatial dimensions 3D Spatial extent Watershed-Scale Model domain Terrestrial, Hydrology One-line model description MODFLOW is a three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water model Extended model description MODFLOW is a three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water model that was first published in 1984. It has a modular structure that allows it to be easily modified to adapt the code for a particular application. Many new capabilities have been added to the original model. OFR 00-92 (complete reference below) documents a general update to MODFLOW, which is called MODFLOW-2000 in order to distinguish it from earlier versions. MODFLOW-2000 simulates steady and nonsteady flow in an irregularly shaped flow system in which aquifer layers can be confined, unconfined, or a combination of confined and unconfined. Flow from external stresses, such as flow to wells, areal recharge, evapotranspiration, flow to drains, and flow through river beds, can be simulated. Hydraulic conductivities or transmissivities for any layer may differ spatially and be anisotropic (restricted to having the principal directions aligned with the grid axes), and the storage coefficient may be heterogeneous. Specified head and specified flux boundaries can be simulated as can a head dependent flux across the model's outer boundary that allows water to be supplied to a boundary block in the modeled area at a rate proportional to the current head difference between a "source" of water outside the modeled area and the boundary block. MODFLOW is currently the most used numerical model in the U.S. Geological Survey for ground-water flow problems. In addition to simulating ground-water flow, the scope of MODFLOW-2000 has been expanded to incorporate related capabilities such as solute transport and parameter estimation. Keywords: basins, Name Paul Barlow Type of contact Model developer Institute / Organization U.S. Geological Survey Postal address 1 431 National Center Postal address 2 Town / City Reston Postal code 20192 State Virginia Country United States Email address pbarlow@usgs.gov Phone Fax Name Arlen Harbaugh Type of contact Model developer Institute / Organization U.S. Geological Survey Postal address 1 431 National Center Postal address 2 Town / City Reston Postal code 20192 State Virginia Country United States Email address harbaugh@usgs.gov Phone Fax Name Edward Banta Type of contact Model developer Institute / Organization U.S. Geological Survey Postal address 1 431 National Center Postal address 2 Town / City Reston Postal code 20192 State Virginia Country United States Email address erbanta@usgs.gov Phone Fax Name Mary Hill Type of contact Model developer Institute / Organization U.S. Geological Survey Postal address 1 431 National Center Postal address 2 Town / City Reston Postal code 20192 State Virginia Country United States Email address mchill@usgs.gov Phone Fax Name Richard Winston Type of contact Model developer Institute / Organization U.S. Geological Survey Postal address 1 431 National Center Postal address 2 Town / City Reston Postal code 20192 State Virginia Country United States Email address rbwinst@usgs.gov Phone Fax Supported platforms Unix, Linux, Mac OS, Windows Other platform Programming language Fortran77, Fortran90, C Other program language Code optimized Single Processor, Multiple Processors Multiple processors implemented Nr of distributed processors Nr of shared processors Start year development 1984 Does model development still take place? Yes If above answer is no, provide end year model development Code development status Active When did you indicate the 'code development status'? 2020 Model availability As code Source code availability (Or provide future intension) Through web repository Source web address http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/modflow2000/modflow2000.html Source csdms web address Program license type Other Program license type other Non-commercial MODFLOW versions are free, however, their licensing usually limit the use to non-profit educational or research purposes. Memory requirements -- Typical run time -- Describe input parameters Too many to mention here, see: http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/modflow2000/modflow2000.html Input format Other input format Describe output parameters Too many to mention here, see: http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/modflow2000/modflow2000.html Output format ASCII, Binary Other output format Pre-processing software needed? No Describe pre-processing software Post-processing software needed? No Describe post-processing software Visualization software needed? No If above answer is yes Other visualization software Describe processes represented by the model The ground-water flow equation is solved using the finite-difference approximation. The flow region is subdivided into blocks in which the medium properties are assumed to be uniform. In plan view the blocks are made from a grid of mutually perpendicular lines that may be variably spaced. Model layers can have varying thickness. A flow equation is written for each block, called a cell. Several solvers are provided for solving the resulting matrix problem; the user can choose the best solver for the particular problem. Flow-rate and cumulative-volume balances from each type of inflow and outflow are computed for each time step. Describe key physical parameters and equations -- Describe length scale and resolution constraints -- Describe time scale and resolution constraints -- Describe any numerical limitations and issues -- Describe available calibration data sets Upload calibration data sets if available: Describe available test data sets Test data sets are provided to verify that MODFLOW-2000 is correctly installed and running on the system. The tests may also be looked at as examples of how to use the program. Upload test data sets if available: Describe ideal data for testing Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers? Is there a manual available? Yes Upload manual if available: Model website if any http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/modflow2000/MFDOC/index.html Model forum / discussion board Please send comments and corrections to Richard B. Winston (rbwinst@usgs.gov). Comments Disclaimer Although every effort is made to provide timely and accurate information, the authors, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Government make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the timeliness or accuracy of the contents of this web site, which may be updated and revised at any time. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Any links to non-Government web sites are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This part will be filled out by CSDMS staff OpenMI compliant No but possible BMI compliant No but possible WMT component No but possible PyMT component Is this a data component Can be coupled with:

Model info Authors Paul Barlow Harbaugh, Banta, Hill, Winston Source code Go to external source code site Model citations Nr. of publications: 2714 Total citations: 54711 h-index: 87 m-quotient: 2.07 QR-code Link to this page Other models by author MODFLOW

References

Automatically enter Reference by DOI

Manually enter Reference

Nr. of publications:	2714
Total citations:	54711
h-index:	87
m-quotient:	2.07

Featured publication(s)	Year	Model described	Type of Reference	Citations
Markstrom, Steven L.; Niswonger, Richard G.; Regan, R. Steven; Prudic, David E.; Barlow, Paul M.; 2005. GSFLOW-Coupled Ground-water and Surface-water FLOW model based on the integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005). . (View/edit entry)	2005	GSFLOW MODFLOW PRMS	Model overview	388
Harbaugh, A.W.; Banta, E.R.; Hill, M.C.; McDonald, M.G.; 2000. MODFLOW-2000, the U.S. Geological Survey modular ground-water model — User guide to modularization concepts and the Ground-Water Flow Process.. Open-File Report 00-92. U.S. Geological Survey.. (View/edit entry)	2000	MODFLOW	Model overview	2471
McDonald, M.G.; Harbaugh, A.W.; 1983. A modular three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water flow model.. Open-File Report 83-875. U.S. Geological Survey., , . (View/edit entry)	1983	MODFLOW	Model overview	3531
Harbaugh, A.W.; McDonald, M.G.; 1996. User's documentation for MODFLOW-96, an update to the U.S. Geological Survey modular finite-difference ground-water flow model.. Open-File Report 96-485. U.S. Geological Survey.. (View/edit entry)	1996	MODFLOW	Model overview	1256
See more publications of MODFLOW