Oregon District

USER'S GUIDE FOR MODTOOLS: COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR TRANSLATING DATA OF MODFLOW AND MODPATH INTO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FILES

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 97-240

Abstract

MODTOOLS is a set of computer programs for translating data of the ground-water model, MODFLOW, and the particle-tracker, MODPATH, into a Geographic Information System (GIS). MODTOOLS translates data into a GIS software called ARC/INFO. MODFLOW is the recognized name for the U.S. Geological Survey Modular Three-Dimensional Finite-Difference Ground-Water Model. MODTOOLS uses the data arrays input to or output by MODFLOW during a ground-water flow simulation to construct several types of GIS output files. MODTOOLS can also be used to translate data from MODPATH into GIS files. MODPATH and its companion program, MODPATH-PLOT, are collectively called the U.S. Geological Survey Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking Post-Processing Programs. MODPATH is used to calculate ground-water flow paths using the results of MODFLOW and MODPATH-PLOT can be used to display the flow paths in various ways. MODTOOLS uses the particle data calculated by MODPATH to construct several types of GIS output.

MODTOOLS uses particle information recorded by MODPATH such as the row, column, or layer of the model grid, to generate a set of characteristics associated with each particle. The user can choose from the set of characteristics associated with each particle and use the capabilities of the GIS to selectively trace the movement of water discharging from specific cells in the model grid. MODTOOLS allows the hydrogeologist to utilize the capabilities of the GIS to graphically combine the results of the particle-tracking analysis, which facilitates the analysis and understanding of complex ground-water flow systems.

Method

MODTOOLS uses a set of AMLs (Arc Macro Langage) programs written for the GIS software called ARC/INFO and FORTRAN programs to construct several types of GIS output.

History

Version 6.0 98/06/01 -- Works with MODPATH 3.x

Data Requirements

Several files must be created before activating MODTOOLS. The number and types of files needed by MODTOOLS is determined by the type of GIS output produced. The minimum set of files are those required to describe the cell geometry of the finite-difference grid and cell properties. This set is commonly referred to as the "MAIN and NAME" files that are used by both MODPATH and MODTOOLS. Additional files are needed of MODFLOW and MODPATH to produce the many types of GIS output of MODTOOLS (see user manual for complete details).

Output Options

MODTOOLS produces several types of GIS output that include results from ground-water simulations of MODFLOW and particle tracking of MODPATH. This output can be in the form of files that list data for each model cell or digital files that contain both the spatial arrangement of particle pathlines or other features and characteristics about the particle or cell.

System Requirements

MODTOOLS is written in standard Fortran 77 and, generally, easily installed. MODTOOLS requires the use of ARC/INFO software to run a set of AML programs to create GIS output.

Documentation

Orzol, L.L., 1997, User's guide for MODTOOLS: Computer programs for translating data of MODFLOW and MODPATH into geographic information system files: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-240, 86 p.

Related Documentation

Harbaugh, A.W., 1990, A simple contouring program for gridded data: U.S.Geological Survey Open-File Report 90­144, 37 p.

Harbaugh, A.W., and McDonald, M.G., 1996, User's documentation for MODFLOW­96, an update to the U.S. Geological Survey modular finite-difference ground-water flow model: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96­485, 56 p.

Hinkle, S.R., and Snyder, D.T., 1997, Comparison of chlorofluorocarbon-age dating with particle- tracking results of a regional ground-water flow model of the Portland Basin, Oregon and Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2483.

McDonald, M.G., and Harbaugh, A.W., 1988, A modular three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water flow model: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 6, chap. A1, 586 p.

Orzol, L.L., and Truini, M., in press, Evaluation of factors that influence estimated zones of transport for six municipal wells in Clark County, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4224, 114 p.

Pollock, D.W.,1994, User's guide for MODPATH/MODPATH-PLOT, version 3-A particle tracking post-processing package for MODFLOW, the U.S. Geological Survey finite-difference ground-water flow model: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 94­464, [variously paged].

Snyder, D.T., Wilkinson, J.M. and Orzol, L.L., 1996, Use of a ground-water flow model with particle tracking to evaluate ground-water vulnerability, Clark County, Washington: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96­328, 71 p.

Contacts

Operation:
U. S. Geological Survey
Leonard L. Orzol
10615 S.E. Cherry Blossom Drive
Portland, OR 97216
llorzol@usgs.gov

• MODTOOLS Manual (Pdf version):
  File contains the User's guide for MODTOOLS: Computer programs for translating data of MODFLOW and MODPATH into geographic information system files: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-240, 86 p.
  1. Pdf version of Modtools report (about 0.83 Mb)

• MODTOOLS (Version 6.0):
  The code for the programs of MODTOOLS has been compiled on a SUN workstation. Any user working on a different computer system should delete the compiled programs that have the ending suffix of ".o" and re-compile the code of the programs of MODTOOLS using the make file provided within the program code subdirectory called src.
  1. Current version of MODTOOLS sample GIS problems -last update 04/05/1998 (4.5 Mb)
  2. Current version of MODTOOLS programs only -last update 01/22/2002 (about 2 Mb)

• MODTOOLS includes a module for MT3DMS (Beta version 6.1 November 18 1998):
  A MODTOOLS module has been added to create GIS output from the concentration data output by MT3DMS (A Modular Three-Dimensional Multispecies Transport Model by Chunmiao Zheng and P. Patrick Wang).
  1. Current Beta version of MODTOOLS programs only (about 1 Mb)

• MODTOOLS for Windows NT, 95, and 98 (Beta version May 11 2001):
  The programs of MODTOOLS has been compiled on a Windows NT (also worked on a Windows 98 laptop). Any user working on a different computer system should delete the compiled programs that have the ending suffix of ".o" and re-compile the code of the programs of MODTOOLS using the make file provided within the program code subdirectory called src.
  1. Current version of MODTOOLS PC exe program only (about 0.5 Mb)

• MODTOOLS for ArcView on Windows NT, 95, and 98 (Beta version May 11 2001):
  The programs of MODTOOLS has been compiled on a Windows NT for ArcView (also worked on a Windows 98 laptop). Any user working on a different computer system should delete the compiled programs that have the ending suffix of ".o" and re-compile the code of the programs of MODTOOLS using the make file provided within the program code subdirectory called src.
  1. Current ArcView version of MODTOOLS PC exe program only (about 0.5 Mb)

• MODTOOLS 2000 for ArcInfo Workstation and ArcView software on Unix, Windows NT, 95, and 98 systems (Latest version June 14, 2005):
  The programs of MODTOOLS has been compiled to use the file formats and structure of Modflow 2000. Modtools 2000 will work on the Unix or Windows operating systems using the ArcInfo Workstation or the ArcView software. Modtools uses AML programs to operate Modtools with the ArcInfo Workstation software and Modtools uses Avenue programs for ArcView software.
  Some users may need to delete the compiled programs that have the ending suffix of ".o" and re-compile the code of the programs of MODTOOLS using the make file provided within the program code subdirectory called src. Currently, only the PC version of Modtools 2000 has been compiled and has been stored in the bin subdirectory.
  1. Current version of MODTOOLS 2000 program (about 662 Kb)