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An efficient deterministic-probabilistic approach to modeling regional groundwater flow: 2. Application to Owens Valley, California

January 1, 1990

The applicability of a deterministic-probabilistic model for predicting water tables in southern Owens Valley, California, is evaluated. The model is based on a two-layer deterministic model that is cascaded with a two-point probability model. To reduce the potentially large number of uncertain variables in the deterministic model, lumping of uncertain variables was evaluated by sensitivity analysis to reduce the total number of uncertain variables to three variables: hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient or specific yield, and source-sink function. Results demonstrate that lumping of uncertain parameters reduces computational effort while providing sufficient precision for the case studied. Simulated spatial coefficients of variation for water table temporal position in most of the basin is small, which suggests that deterministic models can predict water tables in these areas with good precision. However, in several important areas where pumping occurs or the geology is complex, the simulated spatial coefficients of variation are over estimated by the two-point probability method.

Publication Year 1990
Title An efficient deterministic-probabilistic approach to modeling regional groundwater flow: 2. Application to Owens Valley, California
DOI 10.1029/WR026i007p01569
Authors Gary L. Guymon, Chung-Cheng Yen
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Water Resources Research
Index ID 70042911
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Water Resources Program