Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington

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Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington James Bush A report prepared in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Earth and Space Sciences: Applied Geosciences University of Washington May 2017 Project Mentor: Jonathan Turk, Brown and Caldwell Internship coordinator: Kathy Troost Reading committee: Juliet Crider J. Michael Brown MESSAGe Technical Report Number: 054 Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington ©Copyright 2017 James Bush 1 Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington Abstract Though the city of Bellevue, Washington is the fifth-most populous and fourth-fastest growing community in Washington, groundwater studies encompassing the city are noticeably few. Population growth, urban development, and recent drought have highlighted the need for a more detailed and comprehensive under- standing of Bellevue’s groundwater system. In response, this study developed a conceptual hydrogeologic model and numerical groundwater flow model of Bellevue and its immediate vicinity to provide a basic understanding of the groundwater flow system. The numerical model was implemented in MODFLOW-NWT, and focuses on the unconsolidated sediments present in the study area. The study area covers the Bellevue city limits and adjacent areas between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington. Simulation of the groundwater flow system indicates that precipitation falling on the study area is the only significant source of recharge to the unconsolidated sediments. Approximately half of all recharge enters the groundwater system directly, while the other half runs off into surface water bodies before leaking into the groundwater system. All kettle lakes in the study area lose water to the groundwater system under steady state conditions. Most of the study area is drained by streams occupying the center of the study area which deliver water to Lake Washington. 2 Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Purpose and Scope ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Previous Investigations ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Description of the Study Area ............................................................................................................... 7 2. Conceptual Model of the Groundwater Flow System ......................................................................................... 9 2.1 Geologic Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 9 2.2 Hydrogeologic Units ................................................................................................................................10 2.3 Hydraulic Conductivity ............................................................................................................................23 2.4 Recharge .................................................................................................................................................24 2.5 Discharge ................................................................................................................................................25 2.6 Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions .............................................................................................25 3. Numerical Simulation of the Groundwater Flow System .................................................................................29 3.1 Spatial and Temporal Discretization .....................................................................................................29 3.2 Model Layering .......................................................................................................................................29 3.3 Hydraulic Properties ...............................................................................................................................30 3.4 Boundary Conditions and Implementation of MODFLOW Packages ...................................................30 3.4.1 Recharge Package ...........................................................................................................................31 3.4.2 River Package...................................................................................................................................31 3.4.3 Drain Package ..................................................................................................................................31 3.4.4 General Head Package ....................................................................................................................32 4. Model Calibration ...............................................................................................................................................35 4.1 Calibration Procedure .............................................................................................................................35 4.2 Parameter Sensitivity .............................................................................................................................35 4.3 Final Parameter Values ..........................................................................................................................35 4.4 Assessment of Calibration .....................................................................................................................39 5. Numerical Model Limitations .............................................................................................................................41 6. Model Application ...............................................................................................................................................41 6.1 Model-Derived Groundwater Budget .....................................................................................................41 6.2 Model-Derived Groundwater Flow Directions .......................................................................................44 7. Summary .............................................................................................................................................................44 8. Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................................45 References ..............................................................................................................................................................52 3 Hydrogeologic Framework and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Bellevue, Washington List of Figures Figure 1. Location of Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ........................................................................................ 8 Figure 2. Surficial Hydrogeology of Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ...............................................................11 Figure 3. Locations of borings used to delineate hydrogeologic units ................................................................13 Figure 4. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Qvr in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ......................16 Figure 5. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Qvt in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ......................17 Figure 6. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Qva in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington .....................18 Figure 7. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Q(A)f in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ...................19 Figure 8. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Q(A)c in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ...................20 Figure 9. Extent and thickness of hydrogeologic unit Q(B) in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ....................21 Figure 10. Elevation of the bedrock surface (Br) in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington .....................................22 Figure 11. Land cover and PRISM-estimated average annual recharge in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington .................................................................................................................................................................................26 Figure 12. Surface water features and potential seepage locations in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington .....27 Figure 13. Lake Sammamish Hydrograph at USGS Gage 12122000 (1971-2000) .........................................28 Figure 14. Lake Washington Summary Hydrograph (1980-2000) ......................................................................28 Figure 15. Distribution of mean annual recharge from precipitation in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington.....33 Figure 16. Locations of model boundary conditions in Bellevue and vicinity, Washington ...............................34 Figure 17. Locations of water level data used in model calibration, Bellevue and vicinity, Washington..........37 Figure 18. Locations of RIV sub-basins, Bellevue and vicinity, Washington .......................................................38 Figure 19. Sensitivity coefficients for parameters used in
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