Interactive 3D Geological Models for Daily Operations, Permitting, and Stakeholder Communication

TAGD Regular Business Meeting

Austin Crowne Plaza

January 26th, 2017

Michelle A. Sutherland, LLC, PE

Allan R. Standen, LLC, PG

Consulting Philosophy

A client should receive project deliverables that allow them to make decisions with the provided data, reducing their need for additional consulting services.

The client should receive or have easy access to all source data used to make interpretations for the project.

Deliverables should be dynamic, allowing future research to be easily integrated with the existing research.

Problem

Groundwater district staff need easy access togroundwater data to make daily, permit and long-termaquifer management decisions and communicatethose decisions to stakeholders.

Proposed Solution

Detailed interactive 3D hydro-stratigraphic orlithologic models using an out-of-the-box softwaremodule with easy-to-use tools.

Visually identify formations and aquifers in subsurface

Measure depth to tops, bases and aquifer thickness

Investigate individual well attributes

Visually identify well production zones

Visualize water level changes and monitor DFCs

Clearwater UWCD in 2014 (Mr. Dirk Aaron)

Middle Pecos GCD in 2015 (Mr. Ty Edwards)

University Lands in 2015 (Mr. James Buice)

Crockett County GCD in 2016 (Mr. Slate Williams)

Clearwater UWCD Middle Pecos GCD

TWDB BRACS Blaine Aquifer Study in 2016

Hemphill GCD, 2016 (Ms. Janet Guthrie)

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Benefits of lithologic models

Quickly identify locations for higher producing wells

Evaluate potential of ASR

Better quantify fresh and/or brackish groundwater volumetrics

Evaluate potential groundwater contamination pathways

Clients become more self-sufficient/ ess reliant on consultants

Can replace or supplement GIS software

Replaces the need for numerous cross-sections and maps

Only requires minimal computer skills

Source data is tied to model readily available and updateable

Predictive drilling and groundwater exploration

Investigate geospatial distribution of screen and sand intervals water quality, well production, aquifer properties , etc.

Evaluate local geology for permit applications

Identify the correct aquifer for each of the district’s wells

Create cross-sections at any orientation through modeled area

Measure estimated distance between land surface to formation tops or water levels, determine aquifer thickness

Investigate alluvial resources and groundwater/surface water interactions

Compare water level surfaces, GAMs and TWDB reports

Evaluate geospatial distribution of groundwater contamination, aquifer properties or sand continuity

Calculate volumetric estimates of aquifer resources

Integrate previous GIS deliverables

Define vertical brackish water zones

Monitor injection well intervals

A 3D hydro-stratigraphic model provides a District with:

A better understanding of aquifer’s geo-spatial complexity

An evolving tool and framework for all future projects

A platform to visualize all data types

A powerful proactive tool for future litigation

Gives the staff the power to make informed decisions quickly

Michelle Sutherlandmichelleasutherland@gmail.com

949-702-3622

and

Allan Standenastanden@att.net

512-731-6242