Metro Model 2 FAQs
What is a groundwater model?
Groundwater models are tools that improve our understanding of aquifer behavior. A numerical groundwater flow model, such as the one constructed for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, is the mathematical representation of aquifers in a computer. Using specially developed software code, the computer models the behavior of aquifers over time by applying the basic laws of physics governing groundwater flow to the physical boundaries of the aquifer, recharge, pumping, interaction with rivers, or other phenomenon.
Metropolitan Council’s Metro Model vs. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Metro Model
The Council's Metro Model, like the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA’s) Metro Model, is a coarse, regional-scale, multi-aquifer groundwater flow model of the seven-county metropolitan area for use in both the public and private sectors.
The most notable difference between the Council's Metro Model and the MPCA's Metro Model is the use of the finite difference MODFLOW code instead of Multi-Layer Analytical Element Mode (MLAEM) code. Other differences include the development of additional model layers to reflect our improved understanding of hydraulic variability and characteristics within geologic units, and use of an automated inverse optimization method for model calibration.
Which aquifers will be modeled?
All of the major aquifers of the seven-county metropolitan area are included in the model. These aquifers include: (1) Glacial Drift/Recent Alluvium, (2) St. Peter Sandstone, (3) Prairie du Chien Group, (4) Jordan Sandstone, (5) St. Lawrence Formation, (6) Upper Franconia Formation, (7) Ironton-Galesville Sandstones, (8) Eau Claire Formation, and (9) Mt. Simon-Hinckley Sandstones.
See Metropolitan Area Aquifer Map (pdf 8KB)