Groundwater management models formulate problems in an optimization framework. Decision variables are defined. Constraints on the value of the decision variables are imposed. An objective function that may depend on decision variables and on system state is created. Decision variables might include imposed stresses, such as the pumping rates at wells, or aspects of aquifer system state, such as baseflow to streams. Objective functions may minimize cost, maximize water availability or minimize ecological impact. The resulting optimization problem may be difficult to solve because of the implicit coupling with models that simulate the groundwater system.

This site provides:

  • codes and documentation for groundwater management
  • tutorials for the use of these codes
  • a textbook on groundwater management
  • a history of research on these topics conducted by Prof. David Ahlfeld at the University of Connecticut (1988-98) and the University of Massachusetts (1998-present