A Conceptual Model of Groundwater Flow in the Upper Agua Fria

A conceptual model of groundwater flow is a qualitative framework upon which data related to subsurface hydrology can be considered. The basic components of a conceptual model are the sources of water to the region and sinks of water from the region, the physical boundaries of the region, and the distribution of hydraulic properties within the region. The formation of a conceptual model is critical to the development of a more quantitative representation of the subsurface hydrology, such as a numerical groundwater flow model. A calibrated, numerical groundwater flow model allows for prediction of the impacts of changes to the hydrologic conditions on subsurface flow. However, this requires precise definitions of the physical boundaries of the region, the water fluxes into and out of the system, and the hydraulic properties distributed throughout the region. In contrast, a conceptual model allows for general conclusions regarding the impacts of aspects of the current hydrologic conditions on current water flow directions. In addition, a conceptual model is very useful for identifying knowledge or data gaps that must be filled before a quantitative model can be constructed. The purpose of this investigation is to bring together existing hydrologic data in the form of