Track: Environmental Management
Making a Wetland Modeler's Life Easier with GIS
Lizabeth StoieffAngela Montoya , Jayantha Obeysekera
Wetland modeling in South Florida is very difficult due to the complex groundwater/surface water interactions and the influence of canals and sloughs. The popular USGS groundwater model MODFLOW has been widely used in South Florida but until recently did not have the capability to simulate the unique hydrology of South Florida. A new wetlands module to MODFLOW has been developed to account for vegetation characteristics, simulation of surface flow routing, export and import of water, and evapotranspiration from wetlands. As with all widely used models, a GIS interface is useful as a means for automated input of large amounts of data as well as a postprocessor for extensive model output. The GUI, or graphical user interface, is programmed in Avenue to utilize ArcView GIS output display capabilities. Input parameters will be entered while in Avenue and converted to ASCII file format. The model's FORTRAN program will be called and the output ASCII files will be converted to coverages and shapefiles and viewed in ArcView GIS. The interface was a useful tool in managing the extensive input required for calibrating the wetlands model.
Lizabeth Stoieff
South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33461
USA
Telephone: 561-6876744
Fax:
E-mail: lizabeth.stoieff@SFWMD.gov