Parameter Estimation of Linear and Nonlinear Muskingum Models

Abstract

The conventional method of parameter estimation of Muskingum flood‐routing models is based on a graphical bivariate curve‐fitting procedure. The subjectivity of this procedure may lead to problems of reproducibility. A software, called MUPERS (Muskingum parameter estimation and flood routing system) was developed for estimating the parameters of a linear or nonlinear Muskingum model of choice and for routing the flood through the river reach. Although 11 methods of parameter estimation‐eight for the linear, two for the piecewise linear, and one for the nonlinear model‐are included in the software, only six of them are discussed in this note. A linearity check of data is used to choose between linear and nonlinear forms of Muskingum models. An example is illustrated using MUPERS, which is menu‐driven and user‐friendly, with graphics capabilities. A comparison of the performance of the different parameter‐estimation methods is also discussed.