integrated hydrologic model
The Integrated Hydrologic Model (IHM) is a sophisticated and powerful computer tool. It estimates how an action in one part of the area’s natural stream or aquifer system affects other parts of the system.
The IHM is used to study surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes streams, lakes, and wetlands. Groundwater includes the shallow aquifer, deep aquifer, and springs. IHM is especially helpful in areas where the shallow aquifer (groundwater-table) is close to land surface. This single computer model addresses all of the details of:
- rainfall
- evaporation from the land and from lakes
- transpiration from plants
- stream flows and spring flows
- surface water and groundwater conditions
- infiltration of water from land surface into the groundwater system
- water migration through the aquifer
- land type and land development features
- water pumping from wells
- water captured from rivers