Metro Model 3

Metro Model 3 (MM3) is used on a regional basis to assess groundwater withdrawal, groundwater availability, and identify areas possibly facing future water supply limitations. MM3 is a regional model and should not be used as packaged for local assessments; the model should be refined with local data and smaller grid sizing.

• Inclusion of four neighboring counties

• Updated software for groundwater flow, developed by USGS

• New ability to simulate change over time

• New data and improved approaches for defining the relationship between different aquifers and confining layers

• Implementation of new software to calculate recharge to the water table

No, this does not mean Metro Model 2 was wrong. Metro Model 2 was built using the data and software available at the time. Now that we have more data and more computationally intense software, an update to Metro Model 2 was necessary. It is like using Excel-95 when Excel-2007 is available for use. Both versions enable you to get your job done, but using the most recent version has more tools and data, has incorporated user feedback, and has increased capabilities.

You can find Metro Model 3 documentation below or you can contact Lanya Ross (Lanya.Ross@metc.state.mn.us or 651.602.1803) with questions or comments.

On request, these publications will be made available in alternative formats to people with disabilities. Call Metropolitan Council at 651-602-1140 or TTY 651-291-0904.

Metro Model 3 Report (2 MB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Report Figures (62 MB), PDF 
Metro Model 3 Appendix A Updated Daily Soil Water Balance (SWB) Model (37 MB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Appendix B Parameter Sensitivities (920 KB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Appendix C Measured and Simulated Head Change at Minnesota DNR Observation Wells 1995 to 2011 (37 MB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Appendix D Well Identification for MNW2 Package (2 MB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Appendix E Geologic Data Sources (3 MB), PDF
Metro Model 3 Appendix F Stratigraphic Column of Paleozoic and Middle Proterozoic Bedrock in Southeast Minnesota (5 MB), PDF

Metro Model 3 Vistas (1.08 GB), zipped Groundwater Vistas (Version 6) model files
Note: the model employs MODFLOW-NWT

Metro Model 3 text-based files (30 MB), zipped MODFLOW-NWT text based files

Boundary Conditions (1.75 MB) zipped Arc GIS (Version 10.1) ArcGIS point and polygon features of Groundwater Vistas model boundary conditions (No-Flow, Constant Head, and River)

Calibration Targets (4.99 MB) zipped Arc GIS (Version 10.1) ArcGIS point features of static water level, aquifer test, and baseflow calibration targets. Dataset includes model residuals

Hydrogeologic Property Grids (12.91 MB) zipped Arc GIS (Version 10.1)

Model Layer Elevations (9.68 MB) zipped Arc GIS (Version 10.1) ArcGIS point and polygon features defining the elevation of each model layer.

Metro Model 3 User Manual (3 MB), PDF

Metro Model 3 User Manual Tutorials (8 GB), Zipped Groundwater Vistas (Version 6) model files