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Groundwater Model Report, Gowanus Canal Superfund Site Geotechnical Environmental Water Resources Ecological Groundwater Model Report Gowanus Canal Superfund Site Brooklyn, New York EPA ID#: NYN000206222 Submitted to: National Grid 287 Maspeth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 Submitted by: GEI Consultants, Inc. Mutch Associates, LLC 455 Winding Brook Drive 360 Darlington Ave. Glastonbury, CT 06033 Ramsey, NJ 07446 860-368-5300 201-669-4171 David B. Terry, P.G. Robert D. Mutch, Jr. P.Hg, P.E. Project Manager President and Principal Groundwater Hydrologist December 2011 Project #093010-5-1506 GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 Table of Contents Executive Summary iv 1. Introduction 1 2. Model Description 2 2.1 Conceptual Site Model 2 2.2 Assumptions 5 2.3 Model Grid 6 2.4 Boundary Conditions 7 2.4.1 Constant Head Boundaries 7 2.4.2 Recharge 7 2.4.3 Drains/Utilities 8 2.4.4 No-Flow (Inactive) Boundaries 9 2.4.5 Bulkheads 10 2.4.6 Supply Pumping 11 2.5 Hydraulic Conductivity 11 2.5.1 Fill/Shallow Sand 11 2.5.2 Marsh Deposits/Sediments 12 2.5.3 Upper Glacial Aquifer 13 2.5.4 Gardiners Clay 14 2.5.5 Jameco Gravel 15 3. Calibration 17 3.1 Shallow Zone 19 3.2 Upper Glacial Aquifer 19 3.3 Jameco Gravel 20 3.4 Sediments/Marsh Deposits 21 4. Sensitivity Analysis 22 5. Validation 23 5.1 Water Supply Pumping 23 5.2 Reduced Precipitation 24 6. Findings and Recommendations 25 6.1 Findings 25 6.1.1 Base Flow Estimate 25 6.1.2 Groundwater Contribution Area 25 6.2 Recommendations 25 References 28 i GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 Tables 1 Soil Boring Log Summary 2 Hydraulic Conductivity Zones 3 Calibration Data Set 4 Mass Balance Figures 1-1 Groundwater Model Location 2-1 Groundwater Model Limits 2-2 Conceptual Schematic of Hydrogeologic Units in the Vicinity of the Site 2-3 USGS Regional Contours 2-4 1766 Map of Site Vicinity 2-5 Model Grid 2-6 Model Grid – Cross Section A-A’ 2-7 Model Grid – Cross Sections B-B’ and C-C’ 2-8 Shallow Constant Head and Drain Boundaries 2-9 Jameco Gravel Constant Head Boundaries 2-10 Recharge Boundaries 2-11 Canal/Bulkhead Detail 2-12 Bulkhead Conductivity 2-13 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 1 2-14 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 2 2-15 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 3 2-16 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 3 (Canal Detail) 2-17 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 4 2-18 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 5 2-19 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 6 2-20 Hydraulic Conductivity Layer 7 2-21 Cut-Away View Along Canal 2-22 Hydraulic Conductivity Cross Section A-A’ 2-23 Hydraulic Conductivity Cross Sections B-B’ and C-C’ 3-1 Calibration Curve – All Layers 3-2 Calibration Curve – Upper Glacial Aquifer (Layers 4 and 5) 3-3 Calibration Curve – Jameco Gravel (Layers 6 and 7) 3-4 Potentiometric Contours Cross Section A-A’ 3-5 Potentiometric Contours Cross Sections B-B’ and C-C’ 4-1 Sensitivity Analysis Hydraulic Conductivity 1 4-2 Sensitivity Analysis Hydraulic Conductivity 2 4-3 Sensitivity Analysis Areal Recharge 5-1 Historic Reported Well Yields 5-2 Historic Precipitation 6-1 Calculated Base Flow 6-2 Particle Flow Paths – Upper Glacial Aquifer ii GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 Appendix Appendix A – Model Calibration and Validation Figure A-1 USGS Groundwater Data Points Figure A-2 Calibration Points Shallow Figure A-3 Calibration Points Upper Glacial Aquifer Figure A-4 Calibration Points Jameco Gravel Figure A-5 Regional Soil Boring Data Points Figure A-6 Qualitative Calibration – Shallow North Figure A-7 Qualitative Calibration – Shallow Central Figure A-8 Qualitative Calibration – Shallow South Figure A-9 Qualitative Calibration Upper Glacial Aquifer Figure A-10 Qualitative Calibration Jameco Gravel Figure A-11 Model Validation Results – Partial Historic Pumping Figure A-12 Model Validation Results – Reduced Recharge H:\WPROC\Project\NationalGrid\Gowanus - Confidential\GW Model Report\Submittal to EPA 12-2011\GW Model Rept 122211.docx iii GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 Executive Summary The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has issued a draft remedial investigation (RI) report (EPA, 2011) and is currently performing a Feasibility Study (FS) of remedial alternatives for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site (the Site) in Brooklyn, New York. On behalf of National Grid, GEI Consultants, Inc. (GEI), in collaboration with Mutch Associates, LLC, developed a three-dimensional numerical groundwater flow model (computer model) to be used for predicting hydraulic effects of potential remedial alternatives in support of remedy selection. The model is a representation of hydraulic conditions within the aquifer system at the Site and the surrounding region. This report includes a description of the model, and guidance and recommendations for its use in predicting the hydraulic effects of potential remedial alternatives. The key model output parameters consist of water table elevation, potentiometric head, flow direction, velocity, and base flow rate to the canal. The model was calibrated to present-day conditions in the aquifer system. The objective functions of the model consist of: . Quantitative estimate of present day (baseline) groundwater flow conditions. Quantitative prediction of groundwater flow after remedy implementation for comparison to specified constraints. Comparative evaluation of potential remedial alternatives and design variables to optimize efficiency and, if necessary, mitigate potential adverse hydraulic effects of potential remedial alternatives. The model is a representation of the portion of the regional aquifer that is hydraulically connected to the canal. The modeled aquifer system includes a shallow (water table) unit, outwash sand and till unit (Upper Glacial Aquifer), and an underlying gravel aquifer unit (Jameco Gravel). The water table and Upper Glacial Aquifer units are separated in the area of the Site by a marsh deposit aquitard. Shallow groundwater on Site is generally perched above the marsh deposits, and discharges to the Gowanus Canal horizontally through permeable bulkheads. Groundwater discharge from the Upper Glacial Aquifer to the canal is generally upward through sediments. The Upper Glacial Aquifer and Jameco Gravel are separated in some locations by the Gardiners Clay confining unit. Groundwater within the Jameco Gravel flows upward into the Upper Glacial Aquifer in areas where the Gardiners Clay is thin, absent, or is comprised primarily of sand. The model was developed to simulate the anticipated potential remedial components of sediment dredging, sediment capping, in-situ stabilization, and adjacent bulkhead improvements. The model can also accommodate supplemental or ancillary systems such as upland capping, relief drains, and groundwater extraction. As groundwater processes associated with remedial components would be identified as part of the FS, a computer model iv GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 assists in quantifying the processes. The model was developed to quantitatively predict changes in water table elevation, groundwater flow direction, base flow, groundwater velocities, and potentiometric head changes in the regional aquifer system. Evaluation of the nature of these processes is essential to understanding the present and future behavior of groundwater within and near the canal. Proceeding without modeling would preclude being able to predict the effects of the remediation project on water quality and the water table elevation following remediation. Recommendations are provided as to how remedial system components may be included in the model, and how output can be interpreted to assist EPA in selecting the most appropriate, effective, and sustainable solution to the issues in the Gowanus Canal. The approximately 1.8-mile-long canal is abutted by 80 parcels owned variously by 64 public and private entities. Given the large size of the Site and number of abutting properties physical constraints and timelines for remedy implementation are expected to vary by location within the Site . The model was developed to simulate multiple systems under multiple timelines as part of a holistic approach to Site remediation. The model can be used to evaluate system redundancy, interferences, and adverse effects associated with a remedy comprised of multiple components. The model was developed using site-specific data collected from USEPA’s Remedial Investigation (RI) of the Site, National Grid’s investigations of former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites abutting the canal, and regional geologic and hydrogeologic data obtained from the USGS and other published sources. The model was calibrated to a groundwater elevation data set representing present conditions. The data set was seasonal- and tidal-averaged to represent long-term steady state conditions. Site and regional groundwater elevation data indicate that groundwater elevations in the regional aquifer system have remained relatively constant over the past two decades. Site groundwater elevation measurements showed no significant changes in groundwater flow patterns relative to the tide cycle or seasonal fluctuations. The calibrated model was validated by modeling historic pumping and drought events, and confirming that the calculated groundwater elevations were consistent with historically documented groundwater elevations. This report presents quantitative output from the calibrated model to support risk characterization and hydrodynamic modeling for the Site. The model calculates a net base flow to the canal of 675 gallons per minute. Model-calculated localized upward head potential and base flow are also presented in this report. The area of contribution to the canal is an approximate 2.8 square mile area centered about ½ mile east of the Site. v GROUNDWATER MODEL REPORT NATIONAL GRID GOWANUS CANAL SUPERFUND SITE DECEMBER 2011 1. Introduction On behalf of National Grid, GEI Consultants, Inc. (GEI), in collaboration with Mutch Associates, LLC, developed and calibrated a numerical groundwater flow model for the area of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York (the Site, Figure 1-1).
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