Groundwater Flow Simulation and its Application in Groundwater Resource Evaluation in the North China Plain, China

Abstract The purpose of this study is to establish a 3D groundwater flow modelling for evaluating groundwater resources of the North China Plain. First, the North China Plain was divided into three aquifers vertically through a characterization of hydrogeological conditions. Groundwater model software GMS was used for modeling to divide the area of simulation into a regular network of 164 rows and 148 lines. This model was verified through fitting of the observed and the simulated groundwater flow Gelds at deep and shallow layers and comparison between the observed and simulated hydrographs at 64 typical observation wells. Furthermore, water budget analysis was also performed during the simulation period (2002–2003). Results of the established groundwater flow model showed that the average annual groundwater recharge of the North China Plain during 1991 to 2003 was 256.68×108m3/yr with safe yield of groundwater resources up to 213.49×108m3/yr, in which safe yield of shallow groundwater and that of deep groundwater was up to 191.65×108m3/yr and 22.64×108m3/yr respectively. Finally, this model was integrated with proposal for groundwater withdrawal in the study area after commencement of water supply by South‐North Water Transfer Project, aiming to predict the changing trend of groundwater regime. As indicated by prediction results, South‐North Water Transfer Project, which is favorable for effective control of expansion and intensification of existing depression cone, would play a positive role in alleviation of short supply of groundwater in the North China Plain as well as maintenance and protection of groundwater.