Hydrology & Hydrodynamic Modeling Projects

Surface Water/Groundwater Model

A technical team led by INTERA developed the Integrated Hydrologic Model (IHM) that couples HSPF and MODFLOW to simulate the full hydrologic cycle. IHM contains inter-processor programs that perform calculations of runoff, evapotranspiration, recharge, wetland and lake water levels, and confined/unconfined groundwater flow; build and store data for post-processing; create daily HSPF input files; and transfer output data between HSPF and MODFLOW.  After developing the model codes, an integrated hydrologic model of the northern Tampa Bay area was constructed and calibrated.

Hydrologic Model for Ungaged Flows

INTERA developed an HSPF model of the entire Little Manatee River Basin.  The HSPF model was calibrated using the upper basin observed flows.  The calibration was extrapolated to the un-gauged portion of the basin.  Maintaining the link to land use conditions was critical for the model to accurately represent the shift in land use conditions between the upper portion of the basin, which is mostly agricultural and pasture, to the lower coastal portion of the basin which has increased urbanization. 

Horsetooth Reservoir Water Quality

INTERA conducted surface water modeling to support an evaluation of the impacts of delivering water from a nearby proposed reservoir into Horsetooth Reservoir.  Major water quality issues included TOC levels and the potential for eutrophication.  Further, thermal stratification was also a major concern as the thermal gradients are very important for mixing water from the new source.  Preliminary results from the CE QUAL 2W model showed that the constructed model is capable of simulating these thermal gradients. The WASP and EFDC models are being evaluated to represent the 3-dimensional system.

C-44 Reservoir Mixing

INTERA provided hydraulic and water quality modeling support of the C-44 reservoir design.  The model was used to assess several alternative designs (internal dikes) that produce the best flow regime. Our project team worked closely with clients engineering design team to assure that the alternative designs were appropriate from both an engineering and cost standpoint.  INTERA provided water quality modeling support for the flushing analysis after using a conservative transport (particle tracking).  The HydQual model was used to simulate various alternatives of the internal dike as well as to determine the flushing and residence time of the reservoir under various conditions. A sensitivity analysis was performed under various inflow, outflow, and reservoir depths.

Hydrodynamic Modeling of Flows & Levels

INTERA conducted HEC-RAS modeling to assist the Suwannee River Water Management District in determining the minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for many District water bodies. The work included observed data analysis and development of steady state and dynamic hydraulic models of the Suwannee River and its tributaries.  The hydraulic model is complex given the dominant groundwater interaction with the river including sink holes, springs and estevelles.