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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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Water |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00247-5 |
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| author | Elias Fiseha Mekonnen Gebremariam Adane Getu |
| author_facet | Elias Fiseha Mekonnen Gebremariam Adane Getu |
| author_sort | Elias Fiseha Mekonnen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e72eef79800d482eafd2f35a6493e72d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2730-647X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Water |
| spelling | doaj-art-e72eef79800d482eafd2f35a6493e72d2025-08-20T04:01:36ZengSpringerDiscover Water2730-647X2025-07-015111910.1007/s43832-025-00247-5Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basinElias Fiseha Mekonnen0Gebremariam Adane Getu1Meteorological Research, Education and Training Lead Executive Office, Ethiopian Meteorology InstituteIntegrated Sector Oriented Meteorological Service Lead Executive Office, Ethiopian Meteorology InstituteAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00247-5Borkena River Sub-basinHydrological sensitivityWEAP modelCalibrationWater resource management |
| spellingShingle | Elias Fiseha Mekonnen Gebremariam Adane Getu Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin Discover Water Borkena River Sub-basin Hydrological sensitivity WEAP model Calibration Water resource management |
| title | Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin |
| title_full | Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin |
| title_fullStr | Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin |
| title_short | Hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the Borkena River Sub-basin |
| title_sort | hydrological parameter sensitivity analysis for water evaluation and planning model calibration in the borkena river sub basin |
| topic | Borkena River Sub-basin Hydrological sensitivity WEAP model Calibration Water resource management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00247-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eliasfisehamekonnen hydrologicalparametersensitivityanalysisforwaterevaluationandplanningmodelcalibrationintheborkenariversubbasin AT gebremariamadanegetu hydrologicalparametersensitivityanalysisforwaterevaluationandplanningmodelcalibrationintheborkenariversubbasin |