MODFLOW Calibration Using Wells Pumping Rate Workflow

A well pumping rate can be used to calibrate a MODFLOW model. This can be used for projects involving dewatering. This requires create well with actual pumping rate (negative for extraction). To calibrate an existing MODFLOW model using the well pumping rate, use the following steps:

1. Define MODFLOW parameters.

Define the MODFLOW parameters using the well and the pumping rate assigned to the well. Select MODFLOW | Parameters to open the Parameters dialog. Click the New button. Turn on Show all columns checkbox. Change the Type column to "WELL". In the Key column, enter actual pumping rate. Enter inverse of pumping rate value in the Value column. Enter Min and Max values greater than 0. These and “Value” will be multiplied by the Q factor later which will be negative 1, so positive values here will actually be negative. Turn on Log Xform

2. Define well options.
Select MODFLOW | Optional Packages | WEL - Well' to open the MODFLOW Well Package dialog. For the Q factor column, enter "-1.0".

3. Set calibration parameters.
Select MODFLOW | Global Options to open the MODFLOW Global/Basic Package dialog. Change the Run options to Parameter Estimation.

4. Create head observations in the Map module.
See the MODFLOW Model Calibration Workflow.

5. Run MODFLOW.
Save the project. Run MODFLOW .