Application of New Hybrid Optimization Technique for Parameter Estimation of New Improved Version of Muskingum Model

Abstract

The Muskingum method is one of the most utilized lumped flood routing model in which calibration of its parameters provides an active area of research in water resources engineering. Although various techniques and versions of Muskingum model have been presented to estimate the parameters of different versions of Muskingum model, more rigorous approaches and models are still required to improve the computational precision of calibration process. In this study, a new hybrid technique was proposed for Muskingum parameter estimation which combines the Modified Honey Bee Mating Optimization (MHBMO) and Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithms. According to the conducted literature-review on the improvement of Muskingum flood routing models, a new six-parameter Muskingum model was proposed. The hybrid technique was successfully applied for parameter estimation of this new version of Muskingum model for three case studies selected from literature. The obtained results were compared with those of other methods using several common performance evaluation criteria. The new hybrid method with the new proposed Muskingum model perform the best among all the considered approaches based on most of utilized criteria. The new Muskingum model significantly reduces the SSQ value for the double-peak case study. Finally, the achieved results demonstrate that not only the hybrid MHBMO-GRG algorithm overcomes the shortcomings of both phenomenon-mimicking and mathematical optimization techniques, but also the presented Muskingum model is appeared to be the most reliable version of Muskingum model comparing with other considered models in this research.