Metro Model 3 (MM3) is used on a regional basis to assess ground water 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.
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.