Estimation of the recharge area of a pumped, stratified-drift aquifer in Connecticut by simulation modeling

Groundwater quality management plans in Connecticut require information about the size and shape of recharge areas that contribute flow to pumping centers in extensive, stratified-drift aquifers. Flow models of a hypothetical aquifer , and a stratified-drift aquifer in Farmington are used to evaluate how contributing areas change in response to variations in recharge and hydraulic conductivity. A series of simulations of a hypothetical aquifer model were made during which average annual recharge rates of 0, 15, 25, and 35 inches were combined with aquifer hydraulic conductivity values of 25, 75, and 225 ft/day. Under steady-state conditions, and a withdrawal rate of 1.2 million gal/day, the size of the contributing recharge area ranges from 0.16 to 0.75 sq mi as recharge from precipitation and average aquifer hydraulic conductivity range from highest to lowest values. Three simulations of the Farmington aquifer model were made: they assumed steady-state conditions, a withdrawal rate of 2.8 million gal/day, and combinations of recharge and aquifer hydraulic conductivity that represented highest, average and lowest rates. The size of the contributing recharge area, under these conditions, ranges from 0.89 to 1.94 sq mi. (USGS)