Modeling

SSP&A is probably best known for its work in modeling. Since the company was established in 1979, SSP&A has applied modeling codes and techniques to over 300 investigations of varying complexity.

In the process, groundwater flow and solute transport modeling has become SSP&A's trademark. Whereas running a model and producing results are performed by many environmental firms, SSP&A recognizes that modeling is a tool that must be applied correctly and only with a clear understanding of the hydrologic system in order to produce meaningful results.

SSP&A's modeling services include:

Groundwater Surface Water Solute Transport
  • Simulation of groundwater flow;
  • Assessment of the effects of developing a groundwater resource;
  • Identification of the optimal design of groundwater development schemes;
  • Management of aquifer systems;
  • Evaluation of the impacts of waste disposal and mining activities on aquifer systems over time;
  • Evaluation of the use of aquifers as reservoirs for heat energy storage and for groundwater recharge.
  • Conjunctive use evaluations;
  • Simulation and analysis of storm-flow;
  • Evaluation of river/aquifer interaction in riparian zones;
  • Assessment of basin-scale river allocation;
  • Development of agricultural water-budgets;
  • Analysis of tidal mixing.
  • Simulation of contaminant flow and transport;
  • Evaluation of the movement and fate of dissolved and/or immiscible contaminants;
  • Dissolved organic and inorganic chemical interaction;
  • Assessment of the efficacy and response over time of aquifer remediation schemes;
  • Simulation of in-situ leaching;
  • Assessment of saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers.

Beyond the application of models, SSP&A provides leadership in modeling techniques and software development. SSP&A literally wrote the book on solute transport simulation (Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling – Theory & Practice). SSP&A developed and distributes the latest versions of the most widely used solute transport simulator in the world, MT3D. With its expertise in model development, SSP&A can modify codes to fit the needs of a particular site or problem. SSP&A is also involved in the continuing development of PEST, a robust and comprehensive parameter estimation software program.  Moreover, to promote the understanding and correct application of numerical modeling, SSP&A periodically provides training courses in numerical modeling to experienced environmental professionals.

Featured Projects

San Joaquin Riparian Zone Groundwater Model
California

On behalf of stakeholders with interest in the San Joaquin River, SSP&A was retained to develop a groundwater model to be integrated with existing HEC surface-water models along a 150-mile stretch of the San Joaquin River, from Friant Dam to the Merced River. This groundwater model was to be used as a tool to identify how much surface flow is needed to sustain desired hydrologic conditions in the riparian zone. To model the riparian groundwater zone of the San Joaquin River, SSP&A developed a technical approach that integrated regional groundwater conditions, surface-water model components, and a detailed lithologic profile of the shallow near-river zone. Read more...

Kodak Park Regional Groundwater Flow Model
Rochester, New York

S.S. Papadopulos & Associates developed, calibrated, and applied a regional groundwater flow model for Kodak that has been used throughout Kodak Park. This model was used to assist in understanding flow patterns and to evaluate remedial alternatives. SSP&A’s original regional model of the Kodak Park area extended over 6.3 miles wide by 12 miles long. Over the years, SSP&A refined the model to achieve more finely resolved analyses. Read more...

East Multnomah County Groundwater Flow Model
Portland, Oregon

SSP&A developed, calibrated, and applied a regional three-dimensional groundwater flow model of a complex multi-aquifer groundwater system in the southern Portland basin. The model was developed for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to aid the City of Portland in the operation of emergency public water-supply wells that were in danger of contamination by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and to aid in the development of alternatives for remediation of nearby sites. The model was developed using the computer codes MODFLOW and MT3D. Read more...

Micro Motion Groundwater Flow Model
Boulder, Colorado

SSP&A was retained to determine whether the source of a VOC plume in groundwater beneath this manufacturing facility was at the client’s facility or a neighboring facility that conducts similar manufacturing activities. Investigations included design and implementation of drilling, sampling, and hydraulic testing. Based on geochemical and hydrogeologic data from the field investigations, SSP&A was able to identify the source of the VOC plume as originating from the adjacent property. Read more...

Savannah River Site
Aiken, South Carolina

At this U.S. Department of Energy-operated site, groundwater contamination, including VOCs and other hazardous compounds and radionuclides, had the potential for migration and possible eventual discharge to surface-water bodies. SSP&A developed three-dimensional (multi-layer) numerical flow-and-transport models of the A- and M-Areas of this site. SSP&A's work involved the development of several innovative modeling techniques, including a convolution process that allows the rapid evaluation of the migration of several chemicals having varying retardation and half-life properties. Read more...