Hydrogeologic Framework Model for the Saturated Zone Site Scale flow and Transport Model

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to document the 19-unit, hydrogeologic framework model (19-layer version, output of this report) (HFM-19) with regard to input data, modeling methods, assumptions, uncertainties, limitations, and validation of the model results in accordance with AP-SIII.10Q, Models. The HFM-19 is developed as a conceptual model of the geometric extent of the hydrogeologic units at Yucca Mountain and is intended specifically for use in the development of the ''Saturated Zone Site-Scale Flow Model'' (BSC 2004 [DIRS 170037]). Primary inputs to this model report include the GFM 3.1 (DTN: MO9901MWDGFM31.000 [DIRS 103769]), borehole lithologic logs, geologic maps, geologic cross sections, water level data, topographic information, and geophysical data as discussed in Section 4.1. Figure 1-1 shows the information flow among all of the saturated zone (SZ) reports and the relationship of this conceptual model in that flow. The HFM-19 is a three-dimensional (3-D) representation of the hydrogeologic units surrounding the location of the Yucca Mountain geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. The HFM-19 represents the hydrogeologic setting for the Yucca Mountain area that covers about 1,350 km2 and includes a saturated thickness of about 2.75 km. The boundaries of the conceptual model were primarily chosen to be coincident with grid cells in the Death Valley regional groundwater flow model (DTN: GS960808312144.003 [DIRS 105121]) such that the base of the site-scale SZ flow model is consistent with the base of the regional model (2,750 meters below a smoothed version of the potentiometric surface), encompasses the exploratory boreholes, and provides a framework over the area of interest for groundwater flow and radionuclide transport modeling. In depth, the model domain extends from land surface to the base of the regional groundwater flow model (D'Agnese et al. 1997 [DIRS 100131], p 2). For the site-scale SZ flow model, the HFM-19 is clipped, reducing the vertical extent to the interpreted top of the water table. The HFM-19 grid consists of a rectangular array of nodes with a spacing of 125 meters discussed in Sections 4.1, 5, and 6.3, and this selection simplifies the available data near the repository and extrapolates from very widely spaced data in other areas of the model domain. The HFM-19 is assembled by using geometric gridding techniques and software (described in Sections 3 and 6.3) to fill the domain area with 3-D elements corresponding to the 19 hydrogeologic units of interest. The HFM-19 is limited by simplifications that accommodate computer mapping, framework modeling, and modeling limitations and contains an inherent level of uncertainty that is a function of data distribution and geologic complexity. Uncertainty and limitations are discussed in Section 6.4 and model validation is discussed in Section 7. The HFM-19 provides the hydrogeologically defined internal geometry for SZ flow and transport process models, which was used to assign unit numbers to nodes in a mesh for use in site-scale SZ flow and transport models. The ''Saturated Zone Site-Scale Flow Model'' (BSC 2004 [DIRS 170037]) directly uses the output of this report to provide the spatial boundaries for each of the hydrogeologic units.