An approach to identify time consistent model parameters: sub-period calibration

Conceptual hydrological models rely on calibration for the identification of their parameters. As these models are typically designed to reflect real catchment processes, a key objective of an appropriate calibration strategy is the determination of parameter sets that reflect a "realistic"...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrology and earth system sciences 2013-01, Vol.17 (1), p.149-161
Main Authors: Gharari, S, Hrachowitz, M, Fenicia, F, Savenije, H. H. G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Calibration
Earth
Estimates
Hydrology
Mathematical models
Optimization
Strategy
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Summary:Conceptual hydrological models rely on calibration for the identification of their parameters. As these models are typically designed to reflect real catchment processes, a key objective of an appropriate calibration strategy is the determination of parameter sets that reflect a "realistic" model behavior. Previous studies have shown that parameter estimates for different calibration periods can be significantly different. This questions model transposability in time, which is one of the key conditions for the set-up of a "realistic" model. This paper presents a new approach that selects parameter sets that provide a consistent model performance in time. The approach consists of testing model performance in different periods, and selecting parameter sets that are as close as possible to the optimum of each individual sub-period. While aiding model calibration, the approach is also useful as a diagnostic tool, illustrating tradeoffs in the identification of time-consistent parameter sets. The approach is applied to a case study in Luxembourg using the HyMod hydrological model as an example.
ISSN:1607-7938
1027-5606
1607-7938
DOI:10.5194/hess-17-149-2013