MODFLOW-NWT groundwater flow model used to evaluate groundwater flow in the Elkhorn and Loup River Basins, Central Nebraska, Phase Three: U.S. Geological Survey data release

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) refined the spatial and temporal discretization of a previously modeled area (Phase 1: https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5143/ and Phase 2: https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5149/) which focused on a 30,000-square-mile area of the High Plains aquifer. Regional groundwater-flow models were constructed to evaluate the effects of groundwater withdrawal on stream base flow in the Elkhorn and Loup River Basins, Nebraska. The model was calibrated to match groundwater level and base-flow data from the stream-aquifer system during the pre-1940 through 2010 period (including predevelopment [pre-1895], early development [1895–1940], and historical development [1940 through 2010] conditions) using an automated parameter- estimation method. The calibrated model was then used to simulate hypothetical development conditions (2011 through 2060). To assess the impact of wells on aquifer depletions, additional wells were simulated throughout the model domain and pumped for 50 years. The percentage of each well’s withdrawal after 50 years, which was compensated by aquifer reductions to stream base flow, storage, or evapotranspiration, was computed and mapped. This data release also includes the MODFLOW-NWT (version 1.0.7) source code. This USGS data release contains all of the input and output files for the model described in the associated model documentation report (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185106).

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  "010:12"
]

[
  "geospatial"
]