Uncertainty estimates by Bayesian method with likelihood of AR (1) plus Normal model and AR (1) plus Multi-Normal model in different time-scales hydrological models

SummaryBayesian revision is widely used in hydrological model uncertainty assessment. With respect to model calibration, parameter estimation and analysis of uncertainty sources, various regression and probabilistic approaches have been used in different models calibrated for either daily or monthly time step. None of these applications however includes a comparison of uncertainty analysis in hydrological models with respect to the time periods, at which the models are operated. This study pursues a comprehensive inter-comparison and evaluation of uncertainty assessments by Bayesian revision using the Metropolis Hasting (MH) algorithm with the hydrological model WASMOD with daily and monthly time step. In the daily step model three likelihood functions are used in combination with Bayesian revision: (i) the AR (1) plus Normal time period independent model (Model 1), (ii) the AR (1) plus Multi-Normal model (Model 2), and (iii) the AR (1) plus Normal time period dependent model (Model 3). In addition an index called the percentage of observations bracketed by the Unit Confidence Interval (PUCI) was used for uncertainty evaluation. The results reveal that it is more important to consider the autocorrelation in daily WASMOD rather than monthly WASMOD. Firstly, the resulting goodness of fit of the daily model vs. observations as measured by the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency value is comparable with that calculated by the optimization algorithm in monthly WASMOD. Secondly, the AR (1) model is not sufficiently adequate to estimate the distribution of residuals in daily WASMOD since PUCI shows that Model 2 outperforms Model 1. Furthermore, the maximum Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency value of Model 2 is the largest. Thirdly, Model 3 performs best over the entire flow range, while Model 2 outperforms Model 3 for high flows. This shows that additional statistical parameters reflect the statistical characters of the residuals more efficiently and accurately. Fourthly, by considering the difference in terms of application and computational efficiency it becomes evident that Model 3 performs best for daily WASMOD. Model 2 on the other hand is superior for daily time step WASMOD if the auto-correlation of parameters is considered.

► A inter-comparison and evaluation of uncertainty assessments by Bayesian revisions in monthly and daily WASMOD.
► It is more necessary to consider the autocorrelation in daily than monthly WASMOD.
► The AR (1) plus Multi-Normal model performs best for high flows in daily WASMOD.
► The AR (1) plus Normal time period dependent model is the best for daily WASMOD by considering computational efficiency.
► A new index (PUCI) for uncertainty assessment.