Stream Multiaquifer Well Interactions

Abstract

In this paper, unsteady flow into a multiaquifer well due to stream stage changes and varying pumping rate is analyzed. The well is located at such a distance that the radius of influence touches the stream boundary; hence, pumping induces seepage from the stream to the aquifer. The discrete kernel approach, which is based on Duhamel’s principle, has been applied to find the interaction among stream, aquifers, and pumping well for constant as well as varying stream stage. The analytical expression for a damped sinusoidal flood wave passing in a fully penetrating stream has been used for obtaining the aquifer response. By applying image-well theory, the finite aquifer and well system has been transformed into an infinite aquifer and well system. The principle of superposition, which is applicable to a linear system, has been used to analyze the interaction processes among the three components of the system. The interaction of the stream, aquifers, and well with each other are analyzed during pumping, after stoppage of pumping, as well as during passage of a flood wave in the stream.