Optimizing parameter estimation in hydrological models with convolutional neural network guided dynamically dimensioned search approach

Abstract

Hydrological model calibration plays a crucial role in estimating optimal parameters for accurate simulation. Estimation of parameters is inevitable in hydrological modeling due to the challenge of directly measuring them, as most parameters are conceptual descriptions of physical processes. Modelers commonly employ optimization algorithms for calibrating hydrological models. However, these algorithms often pose computational challenges, especially when dealing with complex physics-based and distributed models. To address these challenges, our study introduces a novel approach called hydroCNN+DDS. By leveraging the strengths of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and the Dynamically Dimensioned Search (DDS) algorithm, hydroCNN+DDS simplifies the model calibration process in complex physics-based models. This approach enables to capture the general patterns and relationships between discharge time series and parameters without compromising the underlying physics. We use hydroCNN+DDS to estimate parameters in the highly parameterized hydrological model, Structure for Unifying Multiple Modeling Alternatives (SUMMA) using hourly observed discharge. Notably, hydroCNN quickly generates sub-optimal parameters, serving as a good initial solution for DDS. This initialization aids DDS in converging faster towards an optimal solution. One of the notable advantages of the hydroCNN+DDS approach is its potential for spatial and temporal transferability. This feature proves valuable in dynamic systems and regions with limited historical data, expanding the applicability of the methodology. Furthermore, our proposed methodology is versatile and can be applied to any simple or complex models, accommodating any variables of interest. The best practices of good model calibration are followed in our approach.