Modeling Ground‐Water Flow at Love Canal, New York
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 109, Issue 4
Abstract
A ground‐water modeling study was conducted at the Love Canal area, Niagara Falls, New York, as part of a comprehensive evaluation of contamination at the area. The hydrogeology underlying Love Canal consists of a shallow system of silts and fine sands, underlain by confining layers of lacustrine clays and glacial till, which are underlain by the Lockport Dolomite. A two‐dimensional computer model of the Lockport Dolomite was constructed to help define the ground‐water flow system. Both history matching and a sensitivity analysis were conducted. Assuming the dolomite was contaminated, Monte Carlo simulation and uncertainty analysis were used to estimate contaminant travel times to the upper Niagara River. Results indicate that travel times would average 1,000 days with less than 5% probability of less than 100 days or greater than 10,000 days. Analysis of remedial action for the Lockport Dolomite using best estimates of hydrologic parameters indicates that three interceptor wells at the south end of the canal, pumped at only should reverse the flow of ground water to the river and provide an adequate barrier to migration of potential contaminants to the river.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 109 • Issue 4 • August 1983
Pages: 924 - 942
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 ASCE.
History
Published online: Aug 1, 1983
Published in print: Aug 1983
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