9.0 Model Output ================ This chapter provides information on the following: - Reading, - Visualizing, - Exporting, and - Working with model outputs. Different options to display, customize, and export the simulation results are described in the following sections. 9.1 Read Results and Export Results as Text File ------------------------------------------------ The “\ *Read Results*\ ” function is used to read the simulated-head output file. The simulated heads are stored in a file with a .PLB extension in binary format. The “\ *Read Results”* function reads the results for simulated time steps. To visualize and export the simulation results, click “\ *Results*\ ” from the Main Menu and then choose “\ *Read Results*.” Select the .PLB file from the folder where **MINEDW** was executed. There is another option for result files (e.g., a .PLT file) in the “\ *Open Result File*\ ” dialog box. The .PLT file is an older text-file format used by previous versions of **MINEDW**. The .PLT file is no longer created by **MINEDW** during a model run but can be created using the *“Export Results as Text File*\ ” function. When using the “\ *Export Results as Text File”* function, a .PLB file can be converted to a .PLT file. First, the .PLB file must be imported using the “\ *Read Results”* function. Then, using the “\ *Export Results as Text File”* function, a .PLT file can be created. To view model results at a desired time step, enter the time step in the variable field of the time-step slider or move the time-step slider to the desired time step. 9.2 Observations ---------------- Observation locations can be defined using the “\ *Observations*\ ” function. This information is used to create the hydrographs for user-specified locations. In **MINEDW**, observations are input as either “\ *Monitoring Boreholes*\ ” with screened intervals or as “\ *Piezometers*\ ” with measurements at discrete *x*, *y*, and *z* locations. “\ *Piezometers*\ ” differ from “\ *Monitoring* *Boreholes*\ ” because results are extracted from a discrete *x*, *y*, and *z* location, whereas “\ *Monitoring Boreholes*\ ” extract results that have been averaged along a screened vertical interval. To add a new monitoring borehole, select the “\ *Monitoring Borehole*\ ” tab and then click “\ *Add*\ ” at the right of the dialog box. A new entry is added. Enter the name of the monitoring borehole and the corresponding “\ *X*\ ” and “\ *Y*\ ” as well as *“Screen Top”* and *“Screen Bottom”* information. The information required for monitoring wells is described below. The “\ *Add*,” “\ *Insert*,” and “\ *Delete*\ ” buttons on the right of the “\ *Monitoring Borehole*\ ” tab add or delete monitoring boreholes. .. figure:: media/figure_9_1_manual.png :width: 3.60184in :height: 4.62500in :align: center Figure 9.1 The “\ *Edit Observations*\ ” dialog box Name: The name (or other identifier) of the monitoring borehole. X: The *x* coordinate of the monitoring borehole (m or ft). Y: The *y* coordinate of the monitoring borehole (m or ft). Screen Top: Elevation at the top of the screen (m or ft). Screen Bottom: Elevation at the bottom of the screen (m or ft). To add a new piezometer, select the “\ *Piezometer*\ ” tab and then click “\ *Add*\ ” at the top of the dialog box. This adds a new “\ *Piezometer*\ ” group to the model, but no observations can be extracted unless individual piezometers are added to the group. Under each piezometer, different measurement points can be input (e.g., multi-level piezometers). To add individual measurement points, click “\ *Add*\ ” on the lower right of the “\ *Edit Observations*\ ” dialog box and a new blank entry is added. Enter the name of the piezometer and the corresponding *x*, *y*, and *z* location. To navigate between different piezometers, a drop-down menu is available at the top. The “\ *Add*,” “\ *Insert*,” and “\ *Delete*\ ” buttons at the top of the “\ *Piezometer*\ ” tab add or delete piezometer groups. The information required for a piezometer is described below. .. figure:: media/figure_9_2_manual.png :width: 3.59501in :height: 4.61458in :align: center Figure 9.2 The “\ *Edit Observations*\ ” dialog box Name: The name (or other identifier) of the piezometer. X: The *x* coordinate of the piezometer (m or ft). Y: The *y* coordinate of the piezometer (m or ft). Z: The *z* coordinate of the piezometer (m or ft). At the base of the “\ *Edit Observation*\ ” menu, the user can import or export observation files using the “\ *Import”* and *“Export”* buttons. 9.3 Hydrograph -------------- To create hydrographs from simulation results, use the “\ *Hydrograph*\ ” function under the “\ *Results*\ ” drop-down menu. Ensure that model results have been imported from the .PLB file. In the “\ *Create Hydrograph File”* dialog box that opens, choose a directory to export the hydrograph file to and enter a name, then click *“Save.”* The groundwater-head data from monitoring boreholes and piezometers are then exported to a .DAT file. This file will include time steps, corresponding dates, well identification (ID), and corresponding groundwater-head data for all of the time steps. If the monitoring location becomes dewatered during the simulation, i.e., the groundwater head drops below the monitoring level, the hydrograph file will contain *“unsat”* appended to the head value. Also, if the monitoring location is mined out during the simulation, the hydrograph file will contain *“mined”* appended to the head value for that location. Data from this file can easily be plotted using Microsoft Excel\ :sup:`TM` or another plotting software, as shown in Figure 9.3. .. figure:: media/figure_9_3_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 3.60178in :align: center Figure 9.3 Plotting hydrograph data from *MINEDW* 9.4 Particle Tracking --------------------- The particle tracking function (Figure 9.4) in **MINEDW** allows the user to investigate potential capture zones for pumping wells or the general movement of groundwater in the system. Particle tracks are calculated after a model run is completed using data stored in the .PLB file. The information required for particle tracking simulations is described below. .. figure:: media/figure_9_4_manual.png :width: 4.18750in :height: 4.70983in :align: center Figure 9.4 The “\ *Particle Tracking”* dialog box in *MINEDW* Start/End Time: Defines the start or end date and time for particle tracking. If *“Forward”* is selected as the *“Tracking Direction,”* this represents the start date time of the particle. Conversely, if *“Backward”* is selected, it represents the end date time. Tracking Time (days): Defines the period through which particle tracking is conducted. Step Size (m): Defines the distance particles traverse in each step. Tracking Direction: Defines the direction (forward or reverse in time) in which particle tracks are calculated. Add: Adds an entry in the window to the left where the starting or ending XYZ data can be defined for a particle. Delete: Deletes the currently selected entry in the window to the left. Import: Imports a particle-tracking file that contains all of the necessary information for a particle-tracking calculation. Export: Exports a particle-tracking file that contains the necessary information for a particle-tracking calculation. OK: Calculates particle tracks if all parameters are defined and closes the “\ *Particle Tracking*\ ” dialog box. Cancel: Closes the *“Particle Tracking”* dialog box. Results Output: Specifies the location and file name of the particle-tracking file that is to be created. X: The *x* coordinate of the starting or ending position of the particle. Y: The *y* coordinate of the starting or ending position of the particle. Z: The *z* coordinate of the starting or ending position of the particle. Advanced: Opens the *“Advanced Options”* dialog box (Figure 9.5). .. figure:: media/figure_9_5_manual.png :width: 2.45833in :height: 1.61458in :align: center Figure 9.5 The “\ *Advanced Options*\ ” dialog box Variogram Model: Allows the user to select *“Exponential,”* *“Spherical,”* or *“Gaussian”* variograms for interpolation of head data from a triangular mesh to a rectangular mesh. Variogram Range: Defines the range to use for the chosen variogram. Number of Neighbors: Defines the number of points to use in the interpolation. OK: Saves the changes and closes the *“Advanced Options”* dialog box. Cancel: Discards any changes and closes the *“Advanced Options”* dialog box. To use the particle-tracking function, first import the .PLB file using the *“Read Results…”* function under the *“Results”* menu. Next, open the *“Particle Tracking”* dialog box by clicking on *“Particle Tracking…”* under the *“Results”* menu. In the open dialog box, define the *“Start/End Time”* for particle tracking, the amount of time to track the particles in the box next to *“Tracking Time (days),”* and the *“Step Size (m).”* Choose “\ *Forward”* or “\ *Backward*\ ” for the type of particle tracking. To add particles, click *“Add,”* which is to the right of the *“Particle Tracking”* dialog box. This creates an entry where the *x*, *y*, and *z* location of the start or end of the particle track can be defined. When all the particles have been added, click the button next to “\ *Result Output*\ ”; this opens the *“Particle-Tracking Results”* dialog box. Using this dialog box, choose the location to save the particle-track file and enter a name for the file, then click “\ *Save.”* Finally, click “\ *OK”* to create the particle-tracking file. To visualize the particle tracks created in the preceding steps, navigate to the *“Post Processing”* plot items on the *“List”* tab of the *“Control Panel”* Pane and add a *“Particle Tracking”* plot item. Click the icon next to *“File”* on the “\ *Attribute”* tab to open the *“Select Particle-Tracking File”* dialog box. Using this dialog box, navigate to the location where the particle-tracking file was saved; select it and click *“Open.”* The particle tracks appear in the View Pane. The options described in Section 3.4.1.10 can be used to customize the particle tracks as needed. 9.5 Section Flux ---------------- This function calculates groundwater flux across a cross-sectional area defined by the user. The inputs, as displayed in Figure 9.6, are *x* and *y* coordinates of the start and end points of the cross-sectional area as well as the *z* coordinates of the top and bottom of the area across which flux will be calculated. When *“Calculate”* is pressed, **MINEDW** will calculate the flux in m\ :sup:`3`/day or ft\ :sup:`3`/day and display the result in the bottom of the dialog box. Click *“OK”* to close the *“Section Flux”* dialog box. .. figure:: media/figure_9_6_manual.png :width: 2.84415in :height: 2.86498in :align: center Figure 9.6 The “\ *Section Flux”* dialog box 9.6 Seepage Component to Pit ---------------------------- **MINEDW** provides the user with a function to compute seepage to the pit and a plot item to view the locations where seepage is occurring. Seepage to the pit is recorded in a file with an .SEP extension. Seepage recorded in this file includes seepage during mining operations and seepage during pit-lake formation. Seepage is recorded for each time step at each node that forms the open pit. Using the “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*\ ” function and the .SEP file, the user can compute seepage to the pit by geological unit or by another user-specified division. This output can be plotted or used in geochemical modeling for pit-lake chemistry predictions. With the “\ *Pit Flux”* plot item and the .SEP file, the user can visualize the locations and relative magnitude of seepage that is occurring at any time step after the start of mining. This output may be used to assess future dewatering needs and optimum locations for in-pit dewatering solutions. The “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*\ ” function and “\ *Flux”* plot item are explained in the following sections. 9.6.1 Calculating Seepage to the Pit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*\ ” function computes the total seepage to the pit and contributions of each geologic unit to total seepage through time. To compute seepage to the pit, click “\ *Results*\ ” on the Main Menu banner, and then choose “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*.” The “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*\ ” dialog box appears (Figure 9.7). Select the .SEP file from the folder where **MINEDW** was executed. Choose “\ *Geological Units*\ ” to determine the seepage rate from each geologic unit. To define an output name and location, click the button at the bottom right box. The “\ *Save Pit Flow File*\ ” dialog box appears (Figure 9.8). .. figure:: media/figure_9_7_manual.png :width: 3.62551in :height: 1.70857in :align: center Figure 9.7 The “\ *Seepage Component to Pit*\ ” dialog box .. figure:: media/figure_9_8_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 4.18750in :align: center Figure 9.8 The “\ *Save Pit Flow File*\ ” dialog box Type a name at the bottom of the window and click “\ *Save*.” In the following dialog box, click “\ *OK*.” The seepage file is then created. The created file can be imported to Microsoft Excel\ :sup:`TM` or other graphing software in which total seepage versus time (Figure 9.9) and seepage from each geologic unit through time (Figure 9.10) can be plotted. .. figure:: media/figure_9_9_manual.png :width: 4.92782in :height: 3.07128in :align: center Figure 9.9 Total seepage to the pit through time .. figure:: media/figure_9_10_manual.png :width: 5.03860in :height: 3.13153in :align: center Figure 9.10 Seepage rate from each geologic unit through time 9.6.2 Visualizing Seepage and Drains ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As previously mentioned, it is possible to visualize the location where seepage to the pit is occurring, as shown in Figure 9.11. To do this, expand the *“Post Processing”* item under the *“List”* tab in the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane. Add a *“Flux”* plot item to the View Pane by double-clicking it. On the *“Attributes”* tab for the *“Flux”* plot item, select “\ **+**\ ” next to the *“File”* attribute. In the *“Select Flux File”* dialog box that opens, change the type of file to *“Seepage Flux Files (mdw\_output.SEP)”* using the drop-down list next to *“Files of Type.”* Now navigate to the location where the model was executed and select the file ending in .SEP. The nodes where seepage to the pit occurred are visible as colored squares. The colors indicate the magnitude of seepage occurring at the node forming part of the open pit. The size and color ramp can be modified on the attributes tab of the “\ *Flux”* plot item. .. figure:: media/figure_9_11_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 3.60320in :align: center Figure 9.11 Visualizing seepage locations within the open pit The *“Flux”* plot item can also be used to visualize the magnitude of flow through *“Drain”* boundary conditions. Seepage nodes that form the pit shell are considered drains and are automatically created when a mine plan is created (Section 7.6). *“Drains,”* in contrast, are created by the user and can be used to simulate sinks such as underground excavation, sub-horizontal drains, and sumps. The workflow for visualizing “\ *Drains”* is similar to the workflow for seepage, with one exception: instead of choosing “\ *mdw\_output.SEP,”* select the “\ *mdw\_output.DRN”* option if it is not already selected, then navigate to the .DRN file and select it. Flow through user-created drains is displayed in the View Pane. The size and color of the drain nodes can be altered using the “\ *Contour”* and “\ *Point”* attributes. 9.7 Pit Node Elevation and Water Table -------------------------------------- **MINEDW** enables the user to plot pit node elevations and the water table beneath the pit over time. Click “\ *Results*\ ” from the Main Menu banner, and then choose “\ *Pit Node Elevation and Water Table*.” The “\ *Elevation of Pit Node*\ ” dialog box appears (Figure 9.12). Enter the “\ *Node Number*\ ” on the left and click “\ *View*.” For the specified node, the changes in the water table beneath the node and the pit-surface elevation are plotted as shown in Figure 9.12. .. figure:: media/figure_9_12_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 3.83013in :align: center Figure 9.12 The “\ *Elevation of Pit Node*\ ” dialog box If multiple nodes are to be plotted, click “\ *Add*\ ” and insert additional node numbers. Then click “\ *View.*\ ” 9.8 Export State ---------------- Data from **MINEDW** simulations can be exported for all of the nodes to a .DAT file. 2-D data, which include “\ *X*,” “\ *Y*,” “\ *Elevation*,” “\ *Head*,” “\ *Pressure*,” “\ *Water* *Table*,” “\ *Drawdown*,” and “\ *Head* *Difference,*\ ” can be exported for each model layer. For 3-D data, the options are 1) “\ *X*,” 2) “\ *Y*,” 3) “\ *Elevation*,” 4) “\ *Head*,” 5) “\ *Pressure*,” and 6) “\ *Head* *Difference.*\ ” To export these data in 2-D or 3-D, choose “\ *Export State*\ ” from the “\ *Results*\ ” drop-down menu. Using the “\ *Choose Export Items*\ ” dialog box (Figure 9.13), select the appropriate data set in *“2-D”* or *“3-D”* and then click *“OK”* to generate the file. Note, if neither the *“X”* nor *“Y”* box is checked, the data are exported as a list of values. The coordinates associated with these values correspond to the nodes in the model for the selected time step. They are ordered using the same order as nodes in the “node.fem” file (i.e., 1 to *n*) generated by **MINEDW**. Alternatively, checking the boxes next to *“X,” “Y,”* and “\ *Elevation*\ ” adds coordinates for each of the exported data values. .. figure:: media/figure_9_13_manual.png :width: 2.34375in :height: 2.47917in :align: center Figure 9.13 The “\ *Choose Export Items*\ ” dialog box with “\ *2D*\ ” selected 9.9 Exporting Pore Pressure --------------------------- To export the pore pressures in 3-D, click “\ *Results*\ ” from the Main Menu banner and then choose “\ *Export Pore Pressure*.” The “\ *Output Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box appears (Figure 9.14). .. figure:: media/figure_9_14_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 4.03910in :align: center Figure 9.14 The “\ *Output Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box Select the folder and type a file name at the bottom of the “\ *Output Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box, and then click “\ *Save.*\ ” The “\ *Grid-Export Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box opens. Choose the interpolation method (Inverse Distance or Kriging) and define the related parameters (Figure 9.15). The options for this menu are described below. Inverse Distance: Option to use the inverse-distance method for interpolation. Kriging: Option to use the kriging method for interpolation. Number of Points to Search: Data points to use in the kriging or inverse-distance method. Power: Power used in the inverse-distance method. Range: Range used in the kriging method. X Direction (Minimum, Maximum): The region defined along the x-axis to include in the export. Y Direction (Minimum, Maximum): The region defined along the y-axis to include in the export. Z Direction (Minimum, Maximum): The region defined along the z-axis to include in the export. # of Lines (X, Y, Z): The grid spacing in the *x*, *y*, and *z* directions. Save: Option to save a file with the parameters for exporting pore pressures. Open: Opens a saved parameter file. Define the minimum and maximum *x*, *y*, and *z* coordinates and the number of lines (the number of lines defines the grid space), then click “\ *OK*.” .. figure:: media/figure_9_15_manual.png :width: 4.97200in :height: 3.53125in :align: center Figure 9.15 The “\ *Grid – Export Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box The pore pressures are interpolated to the defined grid and saved in a .DAT file. The .DAT file includes *x*, *y*, and *z* coordinates as well as pore pressures. 9.10 Export Cross-Section Pore Pressure --------------------------------------- **MINEDW** can export the pore pressures in both 2-D and 3-D to a .DAT file with a specified grid space and dimensions for geomechanical models. To export the pore pressures in a cross section (2-D), click “\ *Results*\ ” from the Main Menu banner and then choose “E\ *xport Cross-Section Pore Pressure.*\ ” The “\ *Output Cross-Section Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box appears (Figure 9.16). .. figure:: media/figure_9_16_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 4.03910in :align: center Figure 9.16 The “\ *Output Cross-Section Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box Select the folder and type a file name at the bottom of the “\ *Output Cross-Section Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box and click “\ *Save*.” The “\ *Grid – Export Cross-Section Pore Pressure*\ ” dialog box appears. Choose the interpolation method (Inverse Distance or Kriging) and define the related parameters (Figure 9.17). The options for this menu are described below. Inverse Distance: Option to use the inverse-distance method for interpolation. Kriging: Option to use the kriging method for interpolation. Number of Points to Search: Data points to use in the kriging or inverse-distance method. Power: Power used in the inverse-distance method. Range: Range used in the kriging method. Vertical (Minimum, Maximum): The height (Minimum Z, Maximum Z) of the cross section to be exported. Start X/Y: The starting location of the cross section. End X/Y: The ending location of the cross section. # of Lines (Horizontal, Vertical): The discretization in the *x* and *y* directions. .. figure:: media/figure_9_17_manual.png :width: 4.77705in :height: 3.53125in :align: center Figure 9.17 The “Grid – Export Cross-Section Pore Pressure” dialog box Define the minimum and maximum *x* and *y* coordinates of the cross section and the number of lines (changing the number of lines changes the grid space), then click “\ *OK*.” The pore pressures are interpolated to the defined grid and are saved in a .DAT file. The .DAT file includes *x* and *y* coordinates as well as pore pressures. 9.11 Drawdown-Base Time Step ---------------------------- The “\ *Drawdown-Base Time Step*\ ” option enables users to select a date from which drawdown is calculated. In most cases, the initial date is the first time step of the simulation. If the drawdown is to be calculated using a different time step, then the date for the first time step should be entered. Select “\ *Drawdown-Base Time Step*\ ” from the “\ *Results*\ ” drop-down menu to open the “\ *Define Drawdown Initial Date/Time*\ ” dialog box (Figure 9.18). .. figure:: media/figure_9_18_manual.png :width: 3.26087in :height: 1.07307in :align: center Figure 9.18 The “\ *Define Drawdown Initial Time/Date*\ ” dialog box 9.12 Visualizing the Results ---------------------------- **MINEDW** offers different options for presenting the simulation results graphically. The “\ *Control Panel*\ ” options can be used to display the results. Choose the “\ *Node*\ ” plot items under the “\ *List*\ ” tab in the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane to produce both 2-D and 3-D contours. Using “\ *2D Contour”* plot items, 2-D color floods of head, pore pressure, head difference, water table, and drawdown can be produced. Using “\ *3D Contour”* plot items, 3-D contours of head, pore pressure, and head difference can be created. The display for each of these plots can be customized using the *“Attributes”* tab in the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane (Chapter 3). The figures below are examples of the 2-D and 3-D plots (Figures 9.19 and 9.20). .. figure:: media/figure_9_19_manual.png :width: 5.75in :height: 4.29in :align: center Figure 9.19 Sample 2-D contour plots .. figure:: media/figure_9_20_manual.png :width: 5.74in :height: 4.12in :align: center Figure 9.20 Sample 3-D contour plots To create a 3-D pore-pressure plot, select the “\ *List*\ ” tab from the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane, expand the “\ *Node*\ ” item, and then double-click the “\ *3D Contour*\ ” option (Figure 9.21). Next, select the “\ *Attribute*\ ” tab from the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane and select “\ *Pressure*\ ” from the “\ *Color By*\ ” setting. Pore pressures are visible in the View Pane. By changing the time step on the time-step slider, the desired time step can be viewed. .. figure:: media/figure_9_21_manual.png :width: 3.66718in :height: 4.49021in :align: center Figure 9.21 Attributes of the “\ *3D Contour*\ ” plot item To export an image of the 3-D pore-pressure plot, ensure that the desired time step is selected, then choose “\ *Export Base*\ ” from the “\ *File*\ ” item on the Main Menu banner and select “\ *Bitmap*.” The exported bitmap is shown in Figure 9.22. .. figure:: media/figure_9_22_manual.png :width: 5.53604in :height: 3.50000in :align: center Figure 9.22 Screen display of head distribution in 3-D 9.13 Cross Sections ------------------- Cross sections are useful because they allow the user to visualize different types of data together at any point within the model domain. For example, a user may wish to view a cross section of the open pit showing geological units overlaid by contours of pore pressure, head, or head difference. This can be achieved by using the “\ *3D Element*,” “\ *Isosurface,”* and “\ *Plane”* plot items. To draw a cross section, the first step is to plot the desired “\ *3D Contour*\ ” (*Elevation*, *Head*, *Pressure,* or *Head Difference*) or “\ *3D Element*\ ” plot item. Model geology and pore pressures are used as an example; however, similar steps can be followed to plot a cross section of any other model results. To view model geology and pore pressures, select the “\ *List*\ ” tab from the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane, expand the “\ *Element”* item, and double-click *“3D Element.”* Now, add an “\ *Isosurface*\ ” plot item (be sure to import results) by expanding the “\ *Node*\ ” item and double-clicking *“Isosurface”* (Figure 9.23). On the *“Attributes”* tab for the *“Isosurface”* plot item, select “\ *Pressure*\ ” as the “\ *Color By*\ ” attribute. A 3-D color flood of model geology with *“Isosurfaces”* of pore pressures appears in the View Pane, but the *“Isosurfaces”* are not visible, as they are hidden by the *“3D Element*.” Select the desired time step to view with the time-step slider. .. figure:: media/figure_9_23_manual.png :width: 3.56597in :height: 5.57569in :align: center Figure 9.23 The “\ *3D Element*\ ” and “\ *Isosurface*\ ” plot items The easiest method for creating a cross section is to use the *“Plane”* tool located on the Toolbar. To use it, click on it, then select two points on the displayed *“3D Element*\ ” plot item. The *“3D Element”* and *“Isosurface”* plot items will be cut by a plane that passes through the two points that were selected. Alternatively, create a cross section by selecting the “\ *List*\ ” tab from the “\ *Control Panel*\ ” Pane, expanding “\ *Cutting Planes,*\ ” and double-clicking “\ *Plane*\ ” (Figure 9.24). .. figure:: media/figure_9_24_manual.png :width: 3.52847in :height: 4.34931in :align: center Figure 9.24 The *“Plane”* plot item On the “\ *Attributes*\ ” tab, define the origin, dip, and dip direction of the plane (Figure 9.25). .. figure:: media/figure_9_25_manual.png :width: 3.50972in :height: 3.79236in :align: center Figure 9.25 The attributes of the “\ *Plane*\ ” plot item For both methods of creating a cross section, display the front or back sections that have been cut (i.e., to turn a 2-D item into a 3-D item) by selecting “\ *3D Element*\ ” from the list in the “\ *Plot Items*\ ” pane and checking the box for “\ *Front*\ ” or “\ *Back*\ ” under “\ *Cutplane*\ ” on the “\ *Attributes*\ ” tab (Figure 9.26). .. figure:: media/figure_9_26_manual.png :width: 3.56597in :height: 5.60347in :align: center Figure 9.26 The attributes of the “\ *3D Element*\ ” plot item The cross section will display model geology through the open-pit area overlaid by contours of pore pressure (Figure 9.27). To export the plot as a bitmap, select “\ *Export Base*\ ” under the “\ *File*\ ” menu and choose the “\ *Bitmap*\ ” option. .. figure:: media/figure_9_27_manual.png :width: 6.00000in :height: 3.79332in :align: center Figure 9.27 Screen display of output from the model run 9.14 Pit Lake – Water Level vs. Time ------------------------------------ The water-level change in a pit lake can be computed in **MINEDW** if a pit lake is simulated in a model. To plot pit-lake level changes over time, import the .LAK file (Appendix B) from the folder where **MINEDW** was executed to *Microsoft Excel* :sup:`TM` or other plotting software (Figure 9.28). The .LAK file also contains other useful information about the pit lake. This file contains the net flux to the pit lake as well as seepage to and from the pit lake. Evaporative losses, volume, and lake area are also recorded in this file. Note that these data are only recorded in time steps during which a pit lake is active. If seepage to the pit occurs during mining operations, it is not recorded in the .LAK file. This seepage data can be located in the .SEP file (Section 9.6). .. figure:: media/figure_9_28_manual.png :width: 4.50000in :height: 2.77083in :align: center Figure 9.28 Pit-lake water level with time 9.15 Pumping Well – Discharge vs. Time -------------------------------------- Pumping rates are reported in the output file with an .FLW extension. This file also contains the flux for each of the constant-head groups defined in the “\ *Constant-Head Boundary*\ ” dialog box. The .FLW file reports extraction of groundwater from the model as negative numbers and addition of groundwater as positive numbers. Flux into or out of the model domain is reported for each time step.