SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP38397S

Geostatistical Analysis of Hydraulic Conductivity of the Upper Santa Fe Group , Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

Source

A regional groundwater flow model has been developed to be used as a management tool for the Albuquerque Basin. It is crucial to recognize the impact of the inherent uncertainty in aquifer hydrogeology when applying the model, and an understanding of the effects of uncertainty can be accomplished using a probabilistic approach to address the role of natural variability of aquifer properties on management strategies.

Statistical analysis shows that the hydraulic conductivity data is moderately skewed to the right, but is not lognormal. Geostatistical analysis revealed zonal anisotropy oriented due north-south, which is directly related to the flow direction of the ancestral Rio Grande which laid down the Upper Santa Fe Group deposits. The presence of multiple depositional environments within the Upper Santa Fe Group violates the assumption of stationarity. This can be circumvented by choosing the simulation search radius so that local stationarity holds, or by separating the basin into two portions to be simulated separately and then combined for flow model analysis.

Author Information

Ruskauff, GJ
INTERA Inc., Albuquerque, NM
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 360–373
DOI: 10.1520/STP38397S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5563-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2021-1