TITLE:
Multi-Model Approach for Assessing the Influence of Calibration Criteria on the Water Balance in Ouémé Basin
AUTHORS:
Aymar Yaovi Bossa, Mahutin Aristide Oluwatobi Kpossou, Jean Hounkpè, Félicien Djigbo Badou
KEYWORDS:
Hydrological Modelling, Performance Criteria, Water Balance, Ouémé Basin
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.16 No.3,
March
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteria which choice is not straightforward. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the performance criteria on water balance components and water extremes using two global rainfall-runoff models (HBV and GR4J) over the Ouémé watershed at the Bonou and Savè outlets. Three (3) Efficacy criteria (Nash, coefficient of determination, and KGE) were considered for calibration and validation. The results show that the Nash criterion provides a good assessment of the simulation of the different parts of the hydrograph. KGE is better for simulating peak flows and water balance elements than other efficiency criteria. This study could serve as a basis for the choice of performance criteria in hydrological modelling.