Groundwater Desktop is a specialized software designed for the visualization, interpretation, and management of groundwater-related data. It is often used by hydrogeologists, environmental engineers, and researchers to manage, analyze, and interpret groundwater flow and contaminant transport models. The program provides a user-friendly environment for working with complex groundwater modeling codes, particularly MODFLOW, which is one of the most widely used groundwater numerical simulation tools developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). By integrating various modeling components into a single platform, GWD simplifies the process of creating, editing, running, and visualizing models. Users can build conceptual models, define boundary conditions, assign hydraulic parameters, and simulate flow and transport in both steady-state and transient states . 

1. Purpose and Overview

Groundwater Desktop is a single workspace for managing different types of hydrogeological information, such as:

• Borehole and well data (location, depth, lithology, pumping tests, water level)
• Aquifer properties (hydraulic conductivity, transportability, storage)
• Groundwater quality (chemical concentrations, contaminants)
• Modeling results from numerical simulations (e.g., MODFLOW)

Its main goal is to make groundwater data more accessible, visual, and analyzable by integrating GIS mapping tools with databases and modeling software. It bridges the gap between traditional groundwater modeling tools and modern spatial data visualization systems.

2. Key Features

A. GIS integration

Groundwater Desktop includes full GIS capabilities and allows users to:

• Import, display, and analyze shape files, raster maps, and network data.
• Overlay groundwater features (e.g., wells, aquifers, rivers) with topographic and geological maps.
• Perform spatial analyses such as buffering, generating contour lines, and interpolating groundwater levels.
• This integration allows users to visualize relationships between surface features and subsurface conditions.

B. Borehole and hydrogeological data management

Users can store and manage detailed borehole information:

• Lithological and stratigraphic reports
• Coverage and screening details
• Water level and pumping test results
• Groundwater level time series or qualitative measurements

Data can be displayed as borehole reports, cross-sections, or 3D visualizations, helping to interpret groundwater aquifer structures.

C. 3D visualization and cross-sections

GWD supports 3D modeling of geological and hydrogeological layers. Users can:

• Create 3D fence diagrams and block models.
• Visualize aquifers, wells, and pollutants in three dimensions.
• Interactively draw geological cross-sections based on borehole and surface data.
• This capability is particularly valuable for understanding subsurface conditions and for communicating findings to stakeholders.

D. Integration with groundwater models

One of the main advantages of Groundwater Desktop is its compatibility with numerical groundwater models, in particular:

• MODFLOW (the most widely used groundwater flow model)
• MT3DMS/MT3D-USGS (solute transport models)
• MODPATH (particle tracking)
• SEAWAT (Density-dependent flow and transport)

Users can prepare model inputs, visualize model networks, and display simulation results such as hydraulic contour lines, water level drop maps, or concentration columns directly in the GIS environment.

E. Time data management

Groundwater Desktop can manage time series data for the following:

• Groundwater level
• Pumping rate
• Rainfall and nutrition data
• Pollutant concentration

Time series graphs and animations can be produced to show changes in groundwater conditions over time.

F. Importing and exporting data

This software supports a wide range of data formats:

• GIS formats: Shapefile, GeoTIFF, ASCII grid
• Model formats: MODFLOW, MT3D, MODPATH input/output files
• Database and spreadsheet formats: CSV, Excel, Access

This flexibility allows for easy data exchange between GWD, modeling tools, and GIS platforms such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

 

3. Applications

Groundwater Desktop is used in many fields of hydrogeology and environmental science, including:

• Groundwater resource assessment: Mapping of groundwater aquifers, recharge areas, and well discharge.
• Pollutant transport studies: visualization and modeling of pollutant gases.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Assessing the effects of land use or development on groundwater systems.
• Water supply management: Monitoring well fields and groundwater levels.
• Research and Education: Teaching hydrogeological concepts and modeling techniques.

4. Benefits

• Modeling and GIS integration: Eliminates the need to switch between different programs.
• User-friendly interface: Designed for hydrogeologists without the need for advanced GIS skills.
• Comprehensive visualization: Supports 2D and 3D representations of groundwater systems.
• Efficiency: Reduces data preparation time for models and improves understanding of results.
• Transparency: Makes it easier to communicate groundwater model results to non-experts and decision-makers.

5. Limitations

While Groundwater Desktop is powerful, it also has some limitations:

• Requires a good understanding of hydrogeological principles and groundwater modeling concepts.
• Its performance may degrade with very large datasets or complex 3D models.
• Although it integrates with many groundwater models, it does not perform numerical simulations itself – it primarily acts as a pre- and post-processing environment.

6. Typical workflow

A typical workflow in Groundwater Desktop might include the following:

• Data import: Upload borehole, surface and GIS data.
• Visualization: Display maps, contour lines, and cross sections.
• Conceptual model development: definition of aquifer boundaries, layers, and hydraulic properties.
• Setting up the numerical model: creating a MODFLOW mesh and exporting the model files.
• Model execution: Run the model externally (e.g. in MODFLOW).
• Analyze results: Import results into GWD for visualization and interpretation.

7. Importance in hydrogeology

Groundwater Desktop has become an essential tool for hydrogeological analysis due to its capacity to link data management, spatial analysis, and model interpretation. The software improves the quality and efficiency of groundwater studies by providing an integrated platform for data visualization and communication.

This software is especially valuable in projects where spatial context is essential – such as regional aquifer assessments, pollution mapping, or water resources planning.

Conclusion

Groundwater Desktop is a powerful and accessible platform that brings together essential tools for modeling, visualizing, and analyzing groundwater data. GWD increases the productivity and accuracy of groundwater studies by integrating MODFLOW and related simulation codes into a single, intuitive user interface. Its powerful visualization capabilities and support for GIS data make it a valuable resource for academic research and professional hydrogeological applications. Overall, Groundwater Desktop is a reliable, efficient, and modern solution for understanding and managing groundwater systems