Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of

 

First Advisor

Erin Haacker

Second Advisor

Sorab Panday

Third Advisor

Irina Filina

Date of this Version

11-2023

Document Type

Article

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Under the Supervision of Professor Erin Haacker

Lincoln, Nebraska, November 2023

Comments

Copyright 2023, William R. Moak

Abstract

The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) has developed several hydrologic models to help effectively manage water resources in the state. These models guide water managers to allocate surface and groundwater supplies to a range of uses (irrigation, environmental protection, interstate water agreements) and evaluate the impacts of changes to the surface water-groundwater system (e.g., new wells, evolving recharge patterns). Two such models, the Central Nebraska (CENEB) model and the Cooperative Hydrology Study (COHYST) model cover north central and south central Nebraska, respectively, but the model domains overlap along a west-east strip between the Platte and Loup Rivers, enabling direct comparison of these two regulatory models. This investigation compared calibrated values of model parameters, predicted groundwater levels, and response to changes in recharge from the CENEB and COHYST models within the common area to assess similarities and differences in model construction and behavior. The models were found to differ in their distribution of hydraulic conductivity, specific yield, and head estimates, although their average values were similar. The two models responded very differently when stressed with additional recharge, with proportionally more recharge in CENEB allocated to storage rather than flux.

Advisor: Erin Haacker

Download

Share

COinS