Working Model:

The main consideration for our group was to choose a project that we would all enjoy. Once the project was decided upon we began talking about our model protocol. The following protocol was decided upon:

1. Define the purpose of the model. (This helps to determine what your governing equations are.)

2. Develop a conceptual model for the system. (Defining such terms as: aquifer and confining layers.)

3. Determine solution methodology. (Do we need an analytical, numerical solution…what kind of computer code will be used.)

4. Design of the model. The conceptual model is put into a form acceptable for modeling. Apply field data to the mathematical model.

5. Calibration. Adjustment of the model parameters to better reproduce measured field data. (often trial and error)

6. Model verification. A second set of field data is used to test the calibrated model's ability to represent the flow domain.

7. Prediction. Use the calibrated and verified model to make predictive simulations of aquifer behavior.