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Determination of Aquifer Diffusivity from Aquifer Response to Fluctuations in River Stage
Author(s) -
Pinder George F.,
Bredehoeft John D.,
Cooper Hilton H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr005i004p00850
Subject(s) - aquifer , thermal diffusivity , geology , hydrograph , stage (stratigraphy) , isotropy , series (stratigraphy) , soil science , cone of depression , hydrology (agriculture) , geomorphology , artesian aquifer , groundwater , geotechnical engineering , thermodynamics , physics , drainage basin , geography , paleontology , cartography , quantum mechanics
The diffusivity of a homogeneous isotropic aquifer can be determined from the response in the aquifer to fluctuations in river stage. Observed changes in head in the aquifer are compared with theoretic head values computed assuming a series of diffusivities. These values are generated by approximating the stage hydrograph as a series of discrete steps and summing the influence of each increment. The diffusivity of the aquifer is calculated from the best‐fitting theoretic response curve. Diffusivities computed for an aquifer at Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, agree with values determined from pumping test and digital model analysis.