About Groundwater Velocity Calculator (Formula)
The Groundwater Velocity Calculator is a tool that allows users to estimate the velocity of groundwater flow in a horizontal aquifer. Groundwater velocity is an important parameter in hydrogeology as it helps determine the rate at which groundwater moves through subsurface formations. This information is crucial for various applications, including understanding contaminant transport, designing groundwater remediation systems, and managing water resources.
The calculator utilizes the following formula to calculate groundwater velocity:
Vgw = K * L / n
Where: Vgw represents the groundwater velocity, K denotes the horizontal conductivity of the aquifer, L represents the horizontal hydraulic gradient, and n represents the effective porosity of the aquifer.
The horizontal conductivity (K) represents the ability of the aquifer to transmit water horizontally. It is a measure of how easily water can flow through the subsurface materials. It is usually given in units of length per time (e.g., meters per day).
The horizontal hydraulic gradient (L) is the change in hydraulic head over a given distance in the direction of groundwater flow. It represents the slope or inclination of the water table or piezometric surface. The hydraulic head is a measure of the potential energy of the groundwater and is typically measured in units of length (e.g., meters).
Understanding Groundwater Velocity Components:
The effective porosity (n) represents the percentage of the total volume of the aquifer that is available for water storage and flow. It accounts for the void spaces within the subsurface materials that can hold water. It is dimensionless and typically expressed as a fraction or percentage.
By inputting the values for horizontal conductivity, horizontal hydraulic gradient, and effective porosity into the calculator, users can obtain an estimate of the groundwater velocity.
It is important to note that the calculated velocity is an approximation and may not account for all factors affecting groundwater flow, such as heterogeneity of the aquifer, variations in hydraulic conductivity, or other complex hydrogeological conditions.