Tool for flexible model architecture in hydrological modelling

Appropriate modelling of hydrological processes requires flexible tools which are able to adapt to a system’s dominant characteristics and to the requirements of specific applications. However, current modelling practice is largely based on the application of fixed model architectures based on prior perceptions. As we shall illustrate, this hampers the progress of research and limits the effectiveness of practical applications. Our purpose is to develop a flexible modelling approach that can help hydrologists to understand the behaviour of a system, and practitioners to develop tailored solutions for specific problems. This approach will result in a toolbox where different model architectures can be created and tested with the available data. These architectures should be able to vary in complexity and encompass a large variety of hydrological conditions. We expect that this tool will allow us to address fundamental research questions for hydrological science, while at the same time it will be a practical tool for professional applications. Possible applications include the determination of an appropriate balance between model complexity and data availability, the understanding of the value of data for modelling, the investigation of appropriate ways to incorporate distributed information in the modelling process. Email: h.h.g.savenije@tudelft.nl

P: 6