In cooperation with the City of Kalamazoo, City of Portage, Kalamazoo County Human Services Department, and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
By Carol L. Luukkonen, Stephen P. Blumer, T.L. Weaver, and Julie Jean
Report available in PDF (12,505 KB)
A ground-water-flow model was developed to investigate the ground-water resources of Kalamazoo County. Ground water is widely used as a source of water for drinking and industry in Kalamazoo County and the surrounding area. Additionally, lakes and streams are valued for their recreational and aesthetic uses. Stresses on the ground-water system, both natural and human-induced, have raised concerns about the long-term availability of ground water for people to use and for replenishment of lakes and streams. Potential changes in these stresses, including withdrawals and recharge, were simulated using a ground-water-flow model.
Simulations included steady-state conditions (in which stresses remained constant and changes in storage were not included) and transient conditions (in which stresses changed in seasonal and monthly time scales and storage within the system was included). Steady-state simulations were used to investigate the long-term effects on water levels and streamflow of a reduction in recharge or an increase in pumping to projected 2010 withdrawal rates, withdrawal and application of water for irrigation, and a reduction in recharge in urban areas caused by impervious surfaces. Transient simulations were used to investigate changes in withdrawals to match seasonal and monthly patterns under various recharge conditions, and the potential effects of the use of water for irrigation over the summer months.
With a reduction in recharge, simulated water levels declined over most of the model area in Kalamazoo County; with an increase in pumping, water levels declined primarily near pumping centers. Because withdrawals by wells intercept water that would have discharged possibly to a stream or lake, model simulations indicated that streamflow was reduced with increased withdrawals. With withdrawal and consumption of water for irrigation, simulated water levels declined. Assuming a reduction in recharge due to urbanization, water levels declined and flow to streams was reduced based on steady-state simulation results. Transient results indicated a reduction of water levels with the simulated use of water for irrigation over the summer months. Generally the transient simulation with recharge only in the winter provided the best fit to observed water levels collected during synoptic water-level measurements in some wells and to the trends observed in water levels for other wells.
Analysis of the regional hydrologic budgets provides an increased understanding of water movement within the ground-water-flow system in Kalamazoo County. Budgets for the steady-state simulations indicated that with reduced recharge, less water was available for streamflow and less water left the model area through the model boundaries. Similarly, with an increase in pumping rates, less water was available to enter streams and become streamflow. When recharge was assumed to remain constant and when it was allowed to vary throughout the year, the amount of water that entered storage was greater than that which left storage. However, when recharge was distributed through October–May only or when recharge rates were reduced from October to May, the amount of water that entered storage was less than that which left storage. Thus, on the basis of model simulations, with reduced recharge or increased withdrawals, water must come from storage, rivers, or from ground-flow-system boundaries to meet withdrawal demands.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Previous Studies
Description of Study Area
Methods of Investigation
Water Levels and Stream Discharge
Seepage Measurements
Well Measurements
Temperature Monitoring
Hydrogeologic Setting
Geologic Setting
Description of Bedrock Units
Description of Glacial Deposits
Hydrologic Setting
Aquifers and Confining Units
Ground-Water Levels
Streamflow and Surface-Water Levels
Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction
Recharge
Historical Estimates of Recharge
Estimates Determined During this Study
History of Municipal Pumpage
Conceptual Model of Ground-Water Flow
Simulation of Ground-Water Flow
Spatial Discretization
Boundary Conditions
Hydraulic Properties and Stresses
Steady-State Calibration
Parameter Estimation
Simulation Results
Model Sensitivity Analysis
Transient Calibration
Aquifer Storage Characteristics
Initial Conditions
Temporal Discretization
Simulation Results
Model Assumptions and Limitations
Simulation of Potential Effects of Urbanization, Irrigation, and Changes in Withdrawals and Recharge
Potential Effects of Urbanization
Potential Effects of Irrigation
Potential Effects of Changes in Withdrawals and Recharge
Regional Ground-Water Budgets for Kalamazoo County
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References Cited
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For further information, contact:
Jim Nichols, District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5
Lansing, MI 48911-5991
or visit our Web site at:
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