Three-dimensional flow in the storative semiconfining layers of a leaky aquifer.

An analytical solution for three-dimensional (3D) flow in the storative semiconfining layers of a leaky aquifer fully penetrated by a production well is developed in this article to provide a method from which accurate hydraulic parameters in the semiconfining layers can be derived from aquifer test data. The analysis of synthetic aquifer test data with the 3D analytical solution in the semiconfining layers provided more accurate optimal hydraulic parameters than those derived using the available quasi-two-dimensional (2D) solution. Differences between the 3D and 2D flow solutions in the semiconfining layers become larger when a no flow boundary condition is imposed at either at the top of the upper semiconfining layer or at the bottom of the lower semiconfining layer or when the hydraulic conductivity ratio of the semiconfining layer to the aquifer is larger than 0.001. In addition, differences between the 3D and 2D flow solutions in the semiconfining layers are illustrated when the thickness ratio of the semiconfining layer to the aquifer is changed. Analysis of water level data from two hypothetical and one real aquifer test showed that the 3D solution in the semiconfining layers provides lower correlation coefficients among hydraulic parameters than the 2D solution.