Groundwater/surface-water interactions in the Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin

Using Models to Identify the Best Data: An Example from Northern Wisconsin

“…This follows hydrologic intuition that measurements near groundwater divides provide information about the distribution of flow between competing sinks. The magnitude of the data worth near the mine pit is related to both the influence of surrounding hydraulic conductivities on the amount of water captured by the proposed pit, and a lack of existing observation data in this area (Leaf et al ). Conversely, a forecast far from the mine (Figure ) shows little potential for uncertainty reduction, due to the nearby boundary condition of Lake Superior and existing water level data from wells in the vicinity of Odanah, Wisconsin.…”

“…Data worth for a forecast of base flow in the Tyler Forks River near the proposed mine. Results from the highly parameterized model (A) show clear concentrations of high data worth between the proposed mine pit and the Tyler Forks River upstream of the forecast, and near the groundwater divide between the Tyler Forks and Potato River basins (modified from figure 22 in Leaf et al ). In contrast, results from zoned model (B) show diffuse data worth.…”

“…Data worth for a forecast of head in an artesian well near Lake Superior, far from the proposed mine. Potential uncertainty reduction for this forecast is relatively low, due to the strong boundary condition of Lake Superior and proximity to known water levels in wells near the town of Odanah, Wisconsin (modified from figure 24 in Leaf et al ).…”

“…Data-worth results for two of the forecasts are shown in Figures 2 and 3. Additional results are described by Leaf et al (2015); the full suite of results can be visualized in an online mapper at http://wim.usgs.gov/ badriver/. Figure 2A shows a clear concentration of high data worth between the proposed mine pit and the Tyler Forks River upstream of the forecast, as well as a second concentration near the groundwater divide between Tyler Forks and Potato River basin to the east.…”

“…Study area location, data‐worth forecasts, and potential new monitoring well locations (modified from figure 20 in Leaf et al ).…”