GROUNDWATER MODELING FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

The Upper Delaware Watershed of Sparta, Andover, and Lafayette Township of Sussex County, New Jersey is used as a case study for characterization and assessment of aquifers found within these municipalities. A portion of the watershed falls within the Highlands Preservation and Planning Areas and includes a current non-active Limecrest Quarry that discontinued pumping 5 – 7 million gallons/day of groundwater to the Paulins Kills approximately 5 years ago. In order to promote sustainable use of the water resources, the hydrologic data were incorporated into a GIS with the primary objectives to determine the municipality’s water budget, groundwater storage quantity, recharge potential and the interaction of the Limecrest Quarry with Germany Flats aquifer under various scenarios.

The initial stages for GIS analysis include:

* Acquiring well data to create a layer showing well distribution in Upper Delaware Watershed.

* Acquiring climatic data and create a chloropeth map to show precipitation pattern over the townships.

* Developing an organized geologic/soil map and include information about the soil (porosity, saturation, etc.).

* Creating a layer to map out the water table based on well data.

* Creating another visual element using hydraulic conductivity to show flow rate and flow direction.

These output results will then be used for creating a groundwater simulation model to show aquifer yield values to support in future development of the area.