Modelling salt accession within the Chowilla anabranch and possible mitigation schemes: a density-dependent model of groundwater flow and solute transport

A. T. Charlesworth, K. A. Narayan, C. T. Simmons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The two-dimensional finite-element model SUTRA was used to simulate density-dependent saline groundwater flow in a semi-confined aquifer and was employed to investigate the stream-aquifer interaction near the River Murray and Slaney and Punkah Creeks on the Chowilla floodplain before and after a major flood. Evapotranspiration and recharge during a flood have been incorporated into the numerical model. Simulation of a proposed salinity-mitigation scheme has been modelled in cross-section by incorporating various management options. The peak salt load to the creeks occurs immediately after a flood recedes and subsequently declines over a six-month period to the baseline salt load. The effect of pumping on the floodplain has also been simulated and, in the case of the proposed interception scheme, a drawdown of 0.2 m at the outer edges of the floodplain to 1.5 m at well sites is predicted. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish
JournalDivisional Report - CSIRO Australia, Division of Water Resources
Volume94
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1994
Externally publishedYes

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