Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1998

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Vernon R. Schaefer

Abstract

South Dakota State University, in cooperation with the Everglades National Park in Florida, conducted a study of the Everglades to determine if the expansion of an existing rockmine near the Everglades would have an impact on the Everglades National Park. A digital computer model was developed to simulate the aquifer system. Data obtained from the United States Geological Survey, the Everglades National Park, and various other reports were used to establish aquifer parameters and water levels. The L-3 l N drainage canal separates the proposed rockmine from the Everglades National Park. Using normal year, wet season, and dry season conditions, computer simulations were conducted with and without the proposed rockmine and the differences in the summation of the cell by cell flow budget around the drainage canal and the rockrnine were compared. The flow budget under normal year conditions without the rockmine present was 12 cfs/mi, with the rockmine was 69 cfs/mi. Under wet season conditions, the flow budget without the rockmine was 22 cfs/mi and with the rockmine the flow budget was 26 1 cfs/mi. The dry season conditions were simulated and the flow budget without the rockmine was 12 cfs/mi, and with the rockmine was 65 cfs/mi, these results were much like the results under normal year conditions. The model simulations were compared to canal flow calculated using Manning's equation and estimated from hydrographs for water years 1996 and 1997. Model simulated canal losses due to the proposed rockmine vary from 14 to 60% of the canal flow, when flow was calculated using the Manning equation and 22 to 92% of canal flow when average flow conditions for water years 1996 and 1997 were used. The significance of the changes will depend on the ability to manage flows in the L-3 lN drainage canal. If no additional water is available to augment flows in the canal, the model simulations suggest that the proposed rockmine will seriously impact flows in the canal under certain model simulation scenarios. Significant lose of water from the canal could impact the Everglades National Park.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Groundwater flow -- Florida -- Dade County -- Computer simulation
Drainage -- Florida -- Dade County -- Computer simulation
Everglades National Park (Fla.)

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright