ABSTRACT
The analytic element method is an approximate modeling approach based on superposition of analytic functions. These analytic functions, analytic elements, are chosen such that they can be used to model aquifer features such as boundaries of inhomogeneities in aquifer properties, rivers and narrow streams, slurry walls, fissures, infiltration areas, leakage induced by rivers or streams, and lakes.

The analytic element method does not require discretization of the domain. Discharge vectors, velocity vectors, and leakage are computed analytically; these functions are obtained by analytic differentiation.

Regional models are formulated in terms of the discharge vector and discharge potential, which represents the integrated specific discharge over the aquifer. The discharge vector is generally an accurate representation of the integrated fluxes, as will be demonstrated. The analytic element method is applicable to three-dimensional regional modeling, where three-dimensional features are added by superposition.

One application will be presented in detail, concerning the National Groundwater Model (NAGROM) of The Netherlands, which is currently in use for groundwater management in that country, and is based upon the analytic element model MLAEM.