Useful Equations

A working index of classic analytical groundwater equations

This page presents a curated collection of well-established, back-of-the-envelope analytical equations that engineers and geoscientists use for early-stage estimates and conceptual checks. These equations are distinct from the analytic element modeling approach on which Anaqsim is based.

Most of the equations link to an information card which provides the equations, how to use them, and what limitations are associated with each approach. Some also include case-studies to show how these analytical equations perform on real projects.

* This table is best viewed from your laptop/desktop rather than a mobile!

Additional Tools

ApplicationsConceptual Model
How to size a groundwater pump

Calculate the total dynamic head that your pump must deliver at your design flow. You can then choose a pump that meets that duty point on the manufacturer’s pump curve.

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How to estimate well efficiency

Estimate well efficiency from a step-rate test without requiring graphing or knowing aquifer transmissivity or storativity.

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Estimating Maximum Injection Pressures

Estimate the maximum allowable formation (aquifer) pore pressure during injection in order to reduce the risk of ground heave and avoid damage to infrastructure and buried utilities.

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Estimating extreme groundwater levels

Use this method to estimate groundwater flooding potential from historical datasets of groundwater elevations.

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Estimating aquifer recharge

Use this method when you need to estimate aquifer recharge and only have groundwater level data. A reasonable estimate of specific yield is required, and it is only applicable where groundwater levels show distinct recharge events.

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Estimating Specific Storage

Use this equation when you need an estimate of aquifer storage coefficient but do not have pumping test results. Applicable to both confined or semi-confined aquifers.

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Estimating Specific Yield

Use this graph to estimate specific yield from hydraulic conductivity when site-specific yield data is not available. This is only an estimate and should not be a substitute for site-specific testing.

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Estimating the pressure required for Induced Fracture Remediation

Estimate the saturated formation (“aquifer”) pressure increase needed to intentionally initiate fractures in silty and sandy-silt, to temporarily increase permeability and improve amendment delivery for remediation

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Estimating seepage through sheet pile joints

Use this calculation to estimate leakage through Steel Sheet Pile wall interlocks when the wall toe extends into a low-permeability layer

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Estimating drainage pipe spacing – Hooghoudt Equation

Use this equation for a first pass drain spacing estimate where groundwater is mainly supplied by distributed infiltration from above.

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