
1. Definition of Groundwater
Why is groundwater so important?
Groundwater and the World’s Available Fresh Water
2. Groundwater and the Hydrologic Cycle
Atmosphere
Ocean
Land
Groundwater
Rivers and Lakes
Cryosphere (Ice)
Drainage Basins definition
Diagram of a drainage basin system:
Inputs
1.Precipitation
Outputs
1.Evaporation
2.Transpiration
3.Evapotranspiration
4.River discharge
Water Storage
Definition of Regional Groundwater Balance
General GW Balance Equation
Definition of Groundwater Balance Terms
1. Over Land Flow
2. Inter Flow
3. Base Flow
4. Groundwater Inflow & Out flow
5. Leakage
6. Natural Replenishment (Precipitation)
7. Return flow 8. Artificial Recharge
9. In flow from streams & Lakes
10.Spring Discharge:
11. Perched spring
12. Evapotranspiration:
13. Pumpage and drainage
Earth Materials
Minerals and Rocks
What is a Mineral?
What is a Rock?
Groundwater Geology
Unconformity Surface
Strike and Dip
Three Classes of Rocks
1. Igneous Rocks
igneous Rocks and Their Properties
Porosity and Permeability
Fractures and Groundwater Movement
The Role of Igneous Rocks in Groundwater Systems
2. Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks and Groundwater Storage
Groundwater Flow in Sedimentary Rocks
Definition of an Aquifer
Confined Aquifers
Artesian Aquifers
The Piezometric Surface
Unconfined Aquifers
The Water Table and Capillary Fringe in Unconfined Aquifers
Perched Aquifer
Semi-Confined (Leaky) Aquifer
1. Alluvial Aquifers
2. Glacial Aquifers
3. Aeolian Deposits
4. Sedimentary Aquifers
5. Sandstone Aquifer
6. Carbonate Rocks in Sedimentary Aquifers
7. Shale in Sedimentary Aquifers
8. Fluvial deposits
What Is Porosity?
Types of Porosity
1. Primary Porosity: (interstitial porosity)
2.Secondary Porosity:
Factors Affecting Porosity
1. Cementation and Compaction
2. Grain Size Distribution
Effective Porosity vs. Total Porosity
Real-World Significance of Porosity
Typical values of porosity are given in Table
1.Moisture Content
Saturation and Related Concepts
2. Capillarity
3 Electrostatic Forces of Attraction and States of Water in Pores
Capillarity and its Two Forces
Water Behavior In Saturated Systems
Water Behavior in Unsaturated Systems
1.The Hydraulic Head
Hydraulic Head Dimensions and Applications
Head in Other Disciplines
2.Groundwater Storage
Storage in Confined Aquifers
Specific Storage
Storativity in Confined Aquifers
Storage in Unconfined Aquifers
Hydraulic Conductivity
The Hydraulic Gradient
Darcy’s Law
Transmissivity
Total Flow Rate Through an Aquifer
Hydraulic Conductivity in Anisotropy and Heterogeneity
Isotropy vs. Anisotropy
Homogeneity vs. Heterogeneity
Anisotropy and Heterogeneity
Three-dimensional porous medium with anisotropic hydraulic conductivity
Sedimentary Deposits as Example
Subsequent fracturing by tectonic forces
The average hydraulic conductivity (Kp) perpendicular to a layered sequence of m beds
The Law of Tangents
Definition of unsaturated zone
Moisture Content Versus Depth
The Water Table and Dynamic Equilibrium
Forces Influencing Moisture Distribution
Recharge and Infiltration Capacity
Factors Affecting Recharge Rate
Recharge Distribution
Infiltration Capacity
Seepage Face and Discharge to the Saturated Zone
Discharge to the Saturated Zone
Definition of Saturated Zone
Forces in saturated pores
Laminar Flow
Heterogeneous Media and Flow Complexity
From Laminar to Turbulent Flow
Steady-State Flow Around a Pumping Well
What are Groundwater Models?
How Do Groundwater Models Work?
1. Finite Difference Method
2. Finite Element Method
How Do Groundwater Models Work?
What Do We Need for Groundwater Models?
1. Hydrological Inputs:
2. Operational Inputs:
3. External Conditions:
4. Hydraulic Parameters:
Why Are Groundwater Models Important?
Modeling Tools
New Course
Why ModFLOW Flex?
New Course Highlights
Course Objectives and Benefits
Steps to Build a Groundwater Model
Data Sources for Groundwater Models
Applications of Visual MODFLOW Flex
Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources, providing fresh water for drinking, agriculture, and industry. This course, Learn the Basics of Groundwater - Level 1, introduces you to the fundamentals of groundwater hydrology, aquifers, and water movement through subsurface environments. Whether you are a student, researcher, or environmental professional, this course will provide a strong foundation in understanding how groundwater functions within the hydrologic cycle.
You will start by exploring the definition of groundwater, its role in the Earth's hydrologic cycle, and its relationship with surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. We will also discuss drainage basins, water storage, and the factors influencing groundwater recharge and discharge.
Next, we will cover aquifer types, including confined, unconfined, and perched aquifers, along with their significance in water storage and movement. You will also learn about porosity, permeability, and hydraulic conductivity, which are crucial in determining how water flows through different geological formations.
Additionally, the course introduces basic groundwater modeling techniques such as MODFLOW, helping you understand how groundwater systems are analyzed and managed. By the end of this course, you will gain valuable knowledge to apply in environmental sciences, hydrogeology, and water resource management.
No prior experience is needed—just a curiosity about groundwater and its essential role in our world!