Design of a monitoring well network for the City of Independence, Missouri, well field using simulated ground-water flow paths and travel times

Abstract

The Independence, Missouri, well field supplies water from the Missouri River alluvial aquifer to about 250,000 people. Well-field expansion and commercial development near the well field have caused concerns about the potential for groundwater contamination because knowledge of the groundwater quality near the city of Independence well field is limited. Potential point and nonpoint source areas of groundwater contamination were identified. Groundwater flow simulation and particle-tracking analysis determined contributing recharge areas and groundwater travel times to the expanded well field. Contributing recharge areas defining the source area of water and time surfaces defining the outer surface of the zone of contribution were generated for 6-month and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, and 250-year groundwater travel times to the Independence well field. Locations of potential source areas of groundwater contamination, contributing recharge areas, time surfaces, and a geographic information system were used in combination to determine possible screened-interval altitudes and locations of 75 wells in 35 clusters around the Independence well field.