Hydrogeologische Systemanalyse zur Erstellung von Grundwassergleichenplänen für Braunschweig

The managed aquifer beneath the city of Braunschweig in Lower Saxony is part of a complex hydrogeosystem. Its complexity mainly results from a geologically and topographically induced focusing of groundwater flow in several channels, being locally characterized as a multi-aquifer formation with hydraulic interaction between the groundwater and rivers. We show the progress from extensive, in many cases non digital data bases (measurements and various spatial geodatasets) to the first large-scale groundwater level contour maps for the city area of Braunschweig. In addition, we present new findings from recent investigations on the hydrogeological conditions from 3D geological structure modeling with regard to the aquifer architecture and the connection of surface waters. The assumption of a regionally relevant division into separate aquifer layers can be refuted on the basis of the interpretation of the hydraulic conditions. Together with the new findings on regional hydrogeology, the groundwater contour maps serve as a basic digital map series. As a carrier of information on relevant flow boundary conditions, the maps form the prerequisite for groundwater flow modeling to estimate the potential for groundwater use as a contribution to the future urban water supply of Braunschweig.