A hydrogeological conceptual model is developed from the collation and interpretation of available geological and hydrogeological information as well as test results or emperical datasets. The conceptual model summarises the current understanding of the key groundwater and surface water interactions through various geological units or sequences, hydraulic cycle, dependencies and impacts on the water or groundwater resources. The essential function and behaviour of surface water and groundwater systems and their interaction is described.

The conceptual model can be presented graphically, typically in cross-section or block diagram format, with supporting descriptions. The key elements of a conceptual model are:

1. defining the boundaries of the investigation area, in terms of groundwater and surface water divides;
2. the hydrogeological framework, in terms of the general structure and properties of the aquifers, aquitards and other geological units making up the wetland or catchment;
3. the surface water framework, the configuration of streams, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, estuaries and other surface water features in the catchment landscape;
4. the hydrological framework, the key processes defining the movement of water throughout the landscape such as rainfall, evapotranspiration, run-off, stream flow and groundwater flow;
5. the ecosystem framework, the key environmental assets that have a dependency on the surface water or groundwater features such as wetland ecosystems, endangered aquatic species or important vegetation communities; and
6. the anthropogenic framework, the human-induced factors that can influence hydrological processes in terms of water quantity and quality, such as pumping, land clearing, intensive agriculture, drainage, flood mitigation works, mining etc. Also included are the social dependencies of the water resource such as heritage and cultural values.