Management of a Groundwater Basin Using an Integrated Numerical Model and a Geographic Information System

This paper describes the development and application of an integrated three-dimensional groundwater model and geographic information system (GIS) to the management of the San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin (SFVGB). The SFVGB, and important source of water supply to Southern California, provides a significant portion of the water to Los Angeles, San Fernando, Burbank, Glendale and La Crescenta. Water rights agreements for the SFVGB strictly limit allowable extraction, recharge and storage for each of the water users in the basin. With the recent discovery of widespread groundwater contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the scope and importance of efficient management of the water supply in the basin has expanded greatly. Conjunctive use of the basin's water supply now includes evaluations of potential groundwater production areas on the basis of hydrogeologic conditions, water quality, and contaminant plume management.