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Abstract
The Southeastern Coastal Plain in Georgia has a unique hydrologic system that sustains ecosystems, contributes to water security, and provides recreational opportunities. Important hydrologic features in the study region include the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR), the Satilla, St. Marys, and Suwannee Rivers, and the underlying surficial and Floridan aquifers. This region is also known for its heavy minerals, which have been sought by the mining industry for decades. As mining in Northeastern Florida progressed into Georgia, concerns were raised regarding large-scale mining adjacent to the federally protected ONWR, suggesting the need to conduct environmental assessments to ensure preservation of Southeast Georgia’s water resources and ecosystems. This study serves to contribute to a better understanding of the hydrologic connectivity of surface and groundwater in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida by developing a regional groundwater flow model using Visual MODFLOW Flex. The steady-state model developed for this study provides insight into regional hydrology and serves as a basis for assessing hydrologic effects from mining in Southeast Georgia.