GeoStudio Example for Surface Water Balance Analysis

This technical report presents an example of understanding the surface water balance using GeoStudio, focusing on land-climate interaction (LCI) analysis. The objective is to elucidate the moisture dynamics within a cover system and ensure the water balance is closed, meaning that the inflows and outflows of water are equal. The report details the components of the surface water balance, including rainfall, snowmelt, evaporation, and runoff, and explains how these elements interact within a small-scale hillslope model. It outlines the necessary calculations for water flux boundary conditions and describes the numerical experiments conducted to verify the surface water balance. The report also discusses specific cases, including the impact of minimum pore-water pressure and runoff scenarios, providing insights into the complexities of managing water dynamics in soil cover design and mine closure planning. The findings emphasize the importance of accurately accounting for all water fluxes to achieve a balanced water budget.