Water-Resources Investigation Report 03-4132
Development and Calibration of a Ground-Water
Flow Model for the Sparta Aquifer of Southeastern
Arkansas and North-Central Louisiana and Simulated
Response to Withdrawals, 1998-2027
By Paul W. McKee and Brian R. Clark
SIMULATED AQUIFER RESPONSE TO THREE FUTURE
WITHDRAWAL RATE SCENARIOS
The current model was used to predict the effects of three
withdrawal rate scenarios on hydraulic heads over a 30-year
period from 1998-2027 and one scenario with withdrawals
extended indefinitely until equilibrium conditions were attained
(steady-state conditions). The 30-year
transient simulation period was segmented into six stress
periods of 5 years each. Total withdrawals for each scenario
are listed in table 7 with other selected volumetric budget
information and hydraulic head altitude data from model cells
representative of cone of depression centers for model calibration
(1997) and for predictive scenarios. Development of the scenarios
was based on information collected from Sparta aquifer water users
and managers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and in
collaboration with Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission
and Memphis Corps of Engineers representatives.
Each of the scenarios shows hydraulic head altitudes simulated through time.
Each begins in 1898 (predevelopment), proceeds through the calibration
period of 1997, then predicts hydraulic head altitudes for a 30-year period
from 1998-2027 using different withdrawal rates. Scenario 1 is extended
through to steady-state conditions.