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  • Coupled machine learning and the limits of acceptability approach applied in parameter identification for a distributed hydrological model
Title: Coupled machine learning and the limits of acceptability approach applied in parameter identification for a distributed hydrological model
Abstract. Monte Carlo (MC) methods have been widely used in uncertainty analysis and parameter identification for hydrological models. The main challenge with these approaches is, however, the prohibitive number of model runs required to acquire an adequate sample size, which may take from days to months – especially when the simulations are run in distributed mode. In the past, emulators have been used to minimize the computational burden of the MC simulation through direct estimation of the residual-based response surfaces. Here, we apply emulators of an MC simulation in parameter identification for a distributed conceptual hydrological model using two likelihood measures, i.e. the absolute bias of model predictions (Score) and another based on the time-relaxed limits of acceptability concept (pLoA). Three machine-learning models (MLMs) were built using model parameter sets and response surfaces with a limited number of model realizations (4000). The developed MLMs were applied to predict pLoA and Score for a large set of model parameters (95 000). The behavioural parameter sets were identified using a time-relaxed limits of acceptability approach, based on the predicted pLoA values, and applied to estimate the quantile streamflow predictions weighted by their respective Score. The three MLMs were able to adequately mimic the response surfaces directly estimated from MC simulations with an R2 value of 0.7 to 0.92. Similarly, the models identified using the coupled machine-learning (ML) emulators and limits of acceptability approach have performed very well in reproducing the median streamflow prediction during the calibration and validation periods, with an average Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency value of 0.89 and 0.83, respectively.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2013047 1713901
NSF-PAR ID:
10382948
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Volume:
24
Issue:
9
ISSN:
1607-7938
Page Range / eLocation ID:
4641 to 4658
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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