MODFLOW-NWT groundwater flow model used to evaluate conditions in the Northern High Plains Aquifer in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey data release
Description
A three-dimensional groundwater flow model was developed to characterize groundwater resources and the
interaction of groundwater with streams and other hydrologic features in the Northern High Plains aquifer.
The Northern High Plains aquifer is generally unconfined; most of the water withdrawn from the aquifer is
used for irrigation. A modified version of a previously published soil-water-balance (SWB) model estimates
recharge using climatic, soils, land cover data, in addition to data for groundwater withdrawals for irrigation.
The SWB output was adjusted in areas where surface water is used for irrigation. The groundwater flow model
results were calibrated using parameter estimation to measured groundwater levels and estimated stream base
flows. The model was designed as a tool for regional evaluations of groundwater resources and of groundwater
interactions with streams and other hydrologic features resulting from current or forecasted conditions. This
USGS data release contains all of the input and output files for the model described in the associated model
documentation report (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165153). This data release also includes
(1) MODFLOW-NWT (version 1.0.9) source code, and (2) SWB source code in two formats.