Comparative Assessment of Methods for Coupling Regional and Local Groundwater Flow Models: A Case Study in the Beijing Plain, China

A coupled regional and local model is required when groundwater flow solute transport are to be simulated in areas of interest with a finer grid while aquifer boundary major stresses should retained coarser grid. The also maintain interactions between the systems. In Beijing Plain (China), assessment managed recharge (MAR), pollution caused by rivers, capture zone well fields, land subsidence at cone depression requires model. This study evaluates three methods for coupling models simulating MAR Chaobai River catchment Plain. These conventional refinement (CGR) method, (LGR) method unstructured (USG) method. included comparison complexity construction, goodness fit computed observed heads, consistency budgets, filed influenced site. results indicated that CGR based on MODFLOW-2005 easiest implement model, capable reproducing heads budget, already density viscosity dependent codes simulation. However, inherits shortcomings finite difference grids create multiple inefficient computing efforts. USG MODFLOW-USG has advantage creating multi-scale flexible simulate wells, irregular boundaries, heterogeneities it more difficult construct grids, therefore, good graphic user interface necessary efficient construction. LGR MODFLOW-LGR can used uniform So far, little effort been devoted upgrade complex structures develop models.