This course provides an introduction to groundwater flow modelling with MODFLOW. Participants will learn the basic concepts and workflow of groundwater modelling, including model setup, boundary conditions, parameter definition, manual calibration, and analysis of simulation results. The course will combine lectures with hands-on exercises, allowing participants to develop and run their own MODFLOW models.
| Day | Theory (2 – 3 hours) | Practice (4 – 5 hours) |
| Day 1 – From conceptual model to MODFLOW model |
Groundwater modelling concepts; governing equations; conceptual vs numerical models; MODFLOW architecture; discretization; model domain and grid; initial and boundary conditions
|
Building the first MODFLOW model; defining the domain/grid; topography and layers; assigning properties; boundary conditions; running the model; visualizing heads and water budget |
| Day 2 – Parameters, stresses and calibration | Hydraulic properties; heterogeneity and anisotropy; recharge, pumping and surface-water interactions; steady-state vs transient models; calibration and parameter estimation; sensitivity; analytical solutions |
Adding recharge and pumping; wells and other stresses; heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity; running steady-state simulations; manual calibration; comparing simulated and observed heads; water-budget analysis
|
| Day 3 – Transient modelling, analysis and uncertainty | Transient groundwater flow; storage parameters; time discretization; model evaluation; sensitivity/uncertainty; model limitations and predictive use | Building a transient model; scenario simulations; interpretation of drawdown and water budgets; sensitivity experiments |
The detailed program will be provided after the registration deadline.
How to Get There
The UniMail building is part of the Faculté des Sciences at the University of Neuchâtel. The address is Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel. The building’s opening hours can be found here.
To reach the building from the Neuchâtel train station(Gare Nord), take bus line 107 and get off at the Portes Rouges stop. From there, cross the bridge, and you’ll find the UniMail building. Alternatively, you can walk directly from the train station via Esplanade de l’Europe, which takes about 15-20 minutes.