HR: 0830h
AN: H21D-0855    [PDF]
TI: Modeling Seawater Intrusion in a Coastal Aquifer System for Effective Management
AU: * Chandler, J F
EM: chand027@bama.ua.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences and Center for Freshwater Studies, University of Alabama Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338 United States
AU: Snodsmith, J B
EM: bsnodsmi@ch2m.com
AF: Ch2M Hill, 2567 Fairlane Dr., Montgomery, AL 36123 United States
AU: Zheng, C
EM: czheng@ua.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences and Center for Freshwater Studies, University of Alabama Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338 United States
AB: Baldwin County is situated along the Gulf of Mexico containing pristine beaches that attract many visitors to Alabama each year. Development of the region as a resort destination along with increasing numbers of visitors each year have placed growing demands on the water supply available in the region. As more wells are placed in the coastline vicinity and put into production seawater intrusion becomes more likely. We have developed a variable-density groundwater model for part of Baldwin County to characterize the extent of the seawater intrusion. The model predicts reasonably well the current location of the freshwater/saltwater interface based on 1996 pumping data. The model is used to evaluate the coastal aquifer system and to determine if current pumping strategies could jeopardize future water supply. The study will provide a scientific basis for effective management of groundwater resources in the coastal regions experiencing rapid economic growth.
DE: 1800 HYDROLOGY
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
DE: 1832 Groundwater transport
DE: 1884 Water supply
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting