Modeling Laboratory Observations on Stream-Aquifer Interaction

Abstract

A head loss concept, new to the stream-aquifer interaction, is introduced for modeling laboratory observations. Using this concept, the equation applicable to fully penetrating streams is modified to account for the head loss at the entrance. The modified model is able to explain and fit the observed laboratory data correctly. Equations are proposed to calculate the hydraulic diffusivity of aquifer and head loss at the entrance from the estimate of diffusivity obtained without considering the head loss. An optimization approach is also proposed to estimate the hydraulic diffusivity of the aquifer and head loss from the observed groundwater heads at different sections.