Microcomputer‐Based Interactive Aquifer Simulator

Abstract

Decisions on the timing and location of pumping or recharge in aquifers are in general subjected to physical and operational constraints. The physical constraints are determined by the hydrologic behavior, and the operational constraints by the rules of operation of water allocation and use. The determination of the best strategy of operation requires the simulation of both the physical and operational behavior. In a model designed for interactive decision making, the user can interact with the simulator using a video terminal that graphically displays the simulated state of the system. An interactive simulation model based on the “Discrete Kernel Approach” is presented. The response functions due to unit pulse excitations are generated, using a mainframe computer. After these response functions are generated and stored, the simulation reduces to a simple discrete convolution. These relatively efficient simple computations are done on a microcomputer. Color computer graphics are used to project the simulated state.