Application of the model metq for hydrological calculations

Abstract

In this study, a conceptual rainfall-runoff METQ model, version METQ2007BDOPT, to simulate daily runoff was applied. The model structure and parameters were fundamentally the same as in the METQ98 model with some additional improvement and semi-automatical calibration performance. The model has proved to be successful for both small (the Vienziemite Brook, 5.92 km2) and large (the Daugava River, 81 000 km2) drainage basins. The model METQ2007BDOPT was calibrated to the six different size river basins (the Perse, the Malta, the Nerina, the Imula, the Malmuta and the Iecava). These pilot river basins are characterised by one or two prevailing natural conditions such as hilly agricultural lands, agricultural lowlands, sandy lowlands, forested areas, swamps or lakes. The results of calibration showed good coincidence between the measured and simulated daily discharges. The Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient NSE varies from 0.52 to 0.78 and Pearson correlation coefficient r from 0.65 to 0.88 for the six river basins with calibration and validation period from 1956 to 2015. In this study, we found some relationships between the model parameter values and physiographic sub-catchment characteristics.