Evaluation and Modeling of Ground Water for Aqra Aquifer

Abstract

From the hydrogeologist point of view, Aqra area in northern Iraq is considered as a significant area, where rainfall average in Aqra station was 654.6mm for period 2000-2016, while rainfall was 597.7mm has calculated for six stations for period 2012-2014 by Isohytal via ArcGIS in the area. The area is surrounded by the Upper Zab river from the east, and the Khazer river from the west, while Zanta river runs from its east. Due to previous and wide use of groundwater in study area, the knowledge of the response of the aquifer to different stresses is important to predict its uses in the future to optimal utilization of this aquifer. Consequently, in this study MODFLOW model under GMS platform has been used to evaluate the groundwater availability and examine response of the aquifer to stress conditions. The model has been calibrated in steady state using trial and error procedure, and verified in two states steady and unsteady, and then used for predicting purpose under two scenarios: Scenario–I running the model by pumping with recharge over 5 years the average of heads has been downed 4 meters but over 10 years has been downed 5 meters. Phase-II running the model by pumping without recharge over 5 years the average of heads has been downed 7 meters and over 10 years has been downed 8 meters. The heads have downed a little due to thickness and extend of aquifer.