Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin
Abstract Accurate parameterization of hydrological models is essential for simulating water availability and managing water resource sustainably, especially in regions with limited data and those vulnerable to climate change. This study assesses the sensitivity of critical hydrological parameters an...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Water |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00247-5 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Accurate parameterization of hydrological models is essential for simulating water availability and managing water resource sustainably, especially in regions with limited data and those vulnerable to climate change. This study assesses the sensitivity of critical hydrological parameters and identifies optimal ranges using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model in the Borkena River Sub-basin of the Awash Basin in Ethiopia. In addition to the spatial data of the sub-basin, meteorological and hydrological data from 1991 to 2020 were utilized for model calibration in this study. Through a manual sensitivity analysis, eight key hydrological parameters were examined to determine their influence on streamflow simulations. The model performance was evaluated using metrics such as Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Percentage of Bias (PBIAS), and Coefficient of Determination (R2). The Runoff Resistance Factor (RRF) and Soil Water Capacity (SWC) were identified as the most sensitive parameters. By identifying optimal parameter ranges, the model’s reliability was enhanced, resulting in model performance improved significantly with NSE = 0.83, RMSE = 14.56, PBIAS = − 2.93, and R2 = 0.98. This study enhances hydrological modeling practices by advancing calibration methods for the WEAP model, which has significant implications for regional water resource management. |
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| ISSN: | 2730-647X |