ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT

AZOJETE June 2020. Vol. 16(2):285-292

Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818
www.azojete.com.ng

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

AN OVERVIEW OF SOME HYDROLOGICAL MODELS IN WATER RESOURCES
ENGINEERING SYSTEMS

U. A. Ibrahim1* and S. Dan’azumi2

(1Department of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Maiduguri
2Departmentof Civil Engineering, Bayero University Kano)
*Corresponding author’s email address: uaibrahim@unimaid.edu.ng

ARTICLE INFORMATION ABSTRACT

Submitted 16 May, 2019 Researches in hydrological modelling are aimed to the understanding
Revised 25 February, 2020 of the behavior of hydrologic systems in an attempt to make better
predictions and to address the major challenges in water resources
Accepted 28 February, 2020
systems. Hydrological modelling concept is concerned with the
relationship of water, climate, soil and land use. Hydrological models
are classified either as: conceptual or physical, lumped or distributed,
Keywords: deterministic or stochastic. Hydrological models are the main tools that
Hydrology hydrologist use with different purposes such as water resources
Modeling management, storm water management, reservoir system analysis,
Prediction flood prediction, climate change assessment and among others. Many
climate change hydrological models have been developed for different purposes. The
water methodology for using hydrological models include: definition of the
problem and specifying the objectives, studying the data available,
specifying the economic and social constraints, choosing a particular
class of hydrological models, selecting a particular type of model from
the given class, calibrating and validating the model, evaluating the
performance of the model, and finally using the model for the specified
purpose. Some recently developed, frequently used, and powerful
hydrological models including WEAP, SWMM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and
HEC-ResSim were herein assessed taking into cognizance their
applications in solving challenges in water resources engineering
systems.

© 2020 Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. All rights reserved.

1.0 Introduction
The science of hydrology deals with the occurrence and movement of water on and over the
surface of the earth. It also deals with the various forms of moisture that occur, and the
transformation between the liquid, solid, and gaseous states in the atmosphere and in the
surface layers of land masses (Wilson, 1990). Water-related challenges are large and are likely to
increase in the future (Tundisi, 2008). Current and future water-related challenges are location
and time specific and these include wide myriad of issues such as fluvial hydraulics, reservoir
operations, water quality issues in rivers, and the impact of climate change among others. In
response to these challenges, hydrological models have been developed to understand, analyze,
and explore sustainable solutions to water resources management.

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Ibrahim and Dan’azumi: An Overview of Some Hydrological Models in Water Resources Engineering Systems.
AZOJETE,16(2):285-292. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Hydrological models are simplified conceptual representation of a part of the hydrologic cycle,
and are primarily used for hydrologic prediction and understanding of the hydrologic and water
resources systems (Gayathri et al., 2015). With the advancements in the field of hydrology and
water resources coupled with the application of computers in the field, institutions and
scientists are prompted to develop variety of softwares for designing and modelling of water
resources systems. Some of these models include but not limited to Water Evaluation and
Planning (WEAP), Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), Hydrologic Engineering Center-
Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS), Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System,
(HEC-RAS), and Hydrologic Engineering Center-Reservoir System Simulation (HEC-ResSim) to
achieve speedy and accurate modelling compared to the traditional methods.
This paper reviewed some hydrological models and presents a number of available public
domain (free) and commercial softwares that are used in hydrologic and water resources
systems modelling.

2. Hydrological Modelling
Modelling is a simplified representation of a complex system. Thus, most hydrologic systems are
extremely complex and their behaviors cannot be understood in detail, but through experience,
scientists were able to model and predict the behavior of environmental change (Chong-yu,
2002).The best model is the one which gives results close to reality with the use of least
parameters and model complexity. Models were designed to aid generation of synthetic
sequences of hydrologic data for facility design or for use in forecasting potential impacts of
changes in landuse or climate (Chong-yu, 2002; Gayathri et al., 2015).

2.1 Classification of Hydrological Models

Hydrological models may be classified as conceptual or physically-based models according to
the description of the physical processes, which considers the physical laws but in highly
simplified form; lumped or distributed models according to the spatial description of catchment
processes, which considers the homogeneity of a process; deterministic or stochastic models
according to the information about the physical processes involved, which considers probability
distribution of the process (Gayathri et al., 2015).

2.2 Selection of a Hydrological Model

Hydrological practice would be improved if models are objectively chosen on the basis of
making the best use of the information available and following some systematic procedure of
selection and verification. However, the choice of the best model depends to a large extent on
the prevailing problem and should incorporate accuracy of prediction, simplicity of the model,
consistency of parameter estimates and sensitivity of results to changes in parameter values.

2.3 Model Calibration and Validation

For any chosen model, there are some constants used to represent the physical process. These
constants are called parameters of the model, and must be assigned fixed numerical values
before the model may be used for prediction (Stadnyk et al., 2013). Calibration is a process of
adjusting the parameters of the model to appropriately simulate historical observations.
Calibrating a model involves both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the hydrologic
response of the catchment.

Validation of a model after the parameter values were estimated is the third level of model
analysis. Model validation is also referred to as "diagnostic checking". As no model is perfect,

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Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June, 2020; Vol. 16(2) 285-292. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

verification requires both subjective and objective judgments on many aspects to determine
whether the results provide adequate information for answering the question facing the
decision-makers (Stadnyk et al., 2013).Faulty results may stem from a variety of causes, such as
errors in the data used in calibration, use of a period of record that does not contain enough
events of the physical processes and inadequate or misrepresentation of hydrological processes
in the model.

2.4 Model Performance Evaluation

The evaluation of model performance is indispensable to examine both accuracy and reliability
of models (Pachepsky et al., 2016). The common model evaluation statistical indices used in
hydrology include the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency, NSE (Nash and Sutcliffe, 1970; Bai et al., 2009),
the Percent Bias, PBIAS (Leong and Lai, 2017), and the coefficient of determination, R2
(Pachepsky et al., 2016; Leong and Lai, 2017) among others.
The Nash-Sutcliffe model Efficiency (NSE) assesses the predictive power of a hydrological model
and indicates how well the plot of observed versus simulated data fits the 1:1 line (Leong and
Lai, 2017). It is given by Eqn. 1

n 2
Qobs −Qsim
NSE = 1 − i=1
n
i i
2 (1)
i=1 Qobs
i
−Qobs
where:
Qobs
i
= ith observed data
Qsim
i
= ith simulated data
Qobs = mean of observed data
NSE ranges between −∞ and 1.0 (1 inclusive). When; NSE = 1 it implies a perfect match of
simulated to the observed data (optimal value). NSE Values between 0.0 and 1.0 are generally
viewed as acceptable levels of performance, whereas values < 0.0 indicates that the mean
observed value is a better predictor than the simulated value, which indicates unacceptable
performance. Essentially, the closer the NSE is to 1, the more accurate is the model.

Percent Bias (PBIAS) measures the average tendency of the simulated data to be larger or
smaller than their observed counterparts. The optimal value of PBIAS is 0.0, with low values
indicating accurate model simulation. Positive values indicate model underestimation bias, and
negative values indicate model overestimation bias (Leong and Lai, 2017). PBIAS is expressed as
Eqn. 2;

n
Qobs −Qsim × 100
PBIAS = i=1 i
n
i
obs (2)
i=1 Qi
where:
Qobs
i
= ith observed data
Qsim
i
= ith simulated data

The coefficient of determination (R2) outlines the degree of co-linearity between simulated and
observed data. It further describes the proportion of the variance in measured data explained by
the model. Its value ranges from 0 to 1, higher values indicating less error variance. Values that
are greater than 0.5 are considered acceptable (Santhi et al., 2001). The computation of R2 is
shown as Equation 3:

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Ibrahim and Dan’azumi: An Overview of Some Hydrological Models in Water Resources Engineering Systems.
AZOJETE,16(2):285-292. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

n
Qsim −Qsim Qobs −Qobs
R2 = i=1 i
2
i
2
(3)
n n
i=1 Qsim
i
−Qsim i=1 Qobs
i
−Qobs

where:
Qsim
i
= ith simulated data
Qobs
i
= ith observed data
Qsim = mean of simulated data
Qobs = mean of observed data

3. Brief Description of some Hydrological Models and their Applications

3.1 WEAP
WEAP was developed by Stockholm Environment Institute, USA for integrated water resources
planning. It provides a comprehensive, flexible and user-friendly framework for analysis. The
software of this model is commercial available, but it is free for students and academic
organizations in developing countries for a period of one year only. WEAP attempts to assist
rather than substitute for the skilled planner. As a database, WEAP provides a system for
maintaining water demand and supply information. As a forecasting tool, WEAP simulates
climate change impacts on water demand, supply, flows, storage and pollution generation,
treatment and discharge. As a policy analysis tool, WEAP evaluates a full range of water
development and management options, and takes account of multiple and competing uses of
water systems.

Operating on the basic principle of a water balance, WEAP is applicable to municipal and
agricultural systems, single catchments or complex trans-boundary river systems. Moreover,
WEAP can address a wide range of issues, such as sectoral demand analyses, water conservation,
water rights and allocation priorities, groundwater and stream-flow simulations, reservoir
operations, hydropower generation, pollution tracking, ecosystem requirements, vulnerability
assessments, and project benefit-cost analyses (SEI, 2016). One of the advantages of the model
over others is that it places the demand side of the water balance equation on equivalence with
the supply side, and proffer solutions to some problems of water decision support systems.
However, the model rely solely on the development of scenarios that can be quantified, placing
less concern over their development for which some are outside the system architecture.

In assessing the effects of climate change on river systems, Kumar et al. (2018) evaluates the
future stress of Pasig-Marikina River, Manila, Philippines, due to combined effect of climate
change and rapid urbanization. In their studies, Pasig-Marikina River was analysed for current
and future timescale using population growth, land use change, wastewater production and
treatment scenarios, for three indicators of aquatic ecosystem health; Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Nitrate (NO3). The results clearly indicate
that the water quality in the future will rapidly deteriorate and will not be suitable for any
aquatic life in terms of water quality. Hence, it called for immediate and inclusive action by
policy makers. Thus, the model was able to inform decision makers on the need for
implementation of integrated sewerage and seepage management programme on priority
basics considering population density and growth changes for both short and long term
measures.

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e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

3.2 HEC-HMS
HEC-HMS is a product of the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) within the United States
Army Corps of Engineers. It is a public domain software and was designed to simulate the
complete hydrologic processes of dendritic watershed systems. The software of this model
includes many traditional hydrologic analysis procedures such as event infiltration, unit
hydrographs, and hydrologic routing. It also includes procedures necessary for continuous
simulation such as evapotranspiration, snowmelt, and soil moisture accounting. It also features a
completely integrated work environment including a database, data entry utilities, computation
engine, and results reporting tools. It is a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the user
seamless movement between the different parts of the software. As a numerical model, it can
predict runoff volumes, peak flows and timing of flows by simulating the behavior of the entire
watershed. The model offers a number of advantages over other hydrological models because it
can be applied to watersheds of varying size, shape and parameters. Also, calibration is
performed using optimization algorithm. More so, it is compatible with other HEC-programs
due to common data storage system. However, it cannot model back water in a stream network,
and no support is provided for users other than U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Simulation
results are stored in HEC-DSS (Data Storage System) and can be used in conjunction with other
software for studies of water availability, urban drainage, flow forecasting, future urbanization
impact, reservoir spillway design, flood damage reduction, floodplain regulation, and systems
operation (USACE, 2002).

Abdullah et al., (2018), used HEC-HMS 4.1 software to predict the runoff and sediment load
inflow to Hemrin reservoir, in Baghdad for the period of 1981 – 2014. The calibration processes
were performed using field measurement data for flow of water from Diyala River. The result
obtained showed that the load of sediment entering the reservoir is directly affected by the
precipitation received by the basin. This occurs during the peak precipitation period which is
normally November every year accounting to 94% of sediment entering the reservoir. Thus,
management strategies need to be implemented to control sediment deposit in the river.

3.3 SWMM
SWMM is a public domain software developed by Water Supply and Water Resources Division
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Risk Management Research Laboratory.
The software of this model is a dynamic rainfall-runoff simulation model used for single event or
long-term (continuous) simulation of runoff quantity and quality from primarily urban areas. The
runoff component of SWMM operates on a collection of sub catchment areas that receive
precipitation and generate runoff and pollutant loads. The routing portion of SWMM transports
this runoff through a system of pipes, channels, storage/treatment devices, pumps, and
regulators. SWMM tracks the quantity and quality of runoff generated within each sub
catchment, and the flow rate, flow depth, and quality of water in each pipe and channel during a
simulation period comprised of multiple time steps (Lewis, 2015). The model simulate pollutant
loading and is capable of importing world coordinate files and exporting DXF files. However, the
software is analytical and not design tool, and cannot model manhole or inlet loss directly.

Urban flood modelling evaluates storm drain capacities, blockage of storm drains, climate
change and improper storm network planning. A study conducted by Swathi et al. (2018)
evaluated the applicability of SWMM in analyzing storm network flooding at Birla Institute of
Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani-Hyderabad Campus, India. The model was calibrated for
2006 rainfall event using Horton and Dynamic wave methods for Infiltration and flow routing of

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Ibrahim and Dan’azumi: An Overview of Some Hydrological Models in Water Resources Engineering Systems.
AZOJETE,16(2):285-292. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

the watershed respectively. The results showed that there were no nodes flooded and no
overflow sections in the entire catchment. Thus, it was concluded that the campus storm
network system has been well planned and has sufficient carrying capacity to cater the
simulated rainfall event.

Bedient et al., (2007) modeled urban flood using two softwares HEC-HMS and SWMM. They
created hydrographs in HEC-HMS which were treated as input to nodes for storm drain network
in SWMM. The results obtained from study clearly demonstrated usefulness and understanding
of the storm network.

3.4 HEC-RAS
HEC-RAS was developed by the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC). HEC-RAS is a public
domain software designed for interactive use in a multi-tasking environment. The system is
comprised of a graphical user interface (GUI), separate analysis components, data storage and
management capabilities, graphics and reporting facilities. It was designed to perform one-
dimensional steady flow; and one and two-dimensional unsteady flow calculations for a full
network of natural and constructed channels, overbank/floodplain areas, levee protected areas,
sediment transport/mobile bed computations, and water temperature/water quality modeling
(USACE, 2016). The software has the ability to import data from other software’s like MIKE II
cross section. Also, all its components use a common geometric data representation and
common geometric and hydraulic computation routines. However, modelling skews of hydraulic
structures is limited to zero, and cannot currently account for steep slopes above 10% inside the
model.

Estimating the magnitude of flash flood including water velocity and depth for a river system
can be simulated using HEC-RAS. Ezz (2017) used ArcGIS and HEC-RAS tools to model the water
depths and velocities along a flood path on Assiut Plateau in Egypt using estimated peak
discharge flows developed from high rainfall events uniformly over the Plateau. The predicted
water levels were compared with the proposed road level passing through the flood path for
two rainfall events scenarios. Both scenarios showed that the water levels in the flood path is
safely lower from the proposed road. Yet, it was recommended to install a proper flood
protection system at the intersection of the tributaries with the main flood path under the
proposed road. This could help the decision makers in protecting the proposed road and to
minimize flood hazards.

3.5 HEC-ResSim
HEC-ResSim is a public domain software developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Institute for Water Resources, Hydrologic Engineering Center. It is used to model reservoir
operations at one or more reservoirs for a variety of operational goals and constraints. The
software simulates reservoir operations for flood management, low flow augmentation and
water supply for planning studies, detailed reservoir regulation plan investigations, and real-
time decision support. HEC-ResSim can represent both large and small scale reservoirs and
reservoir systems through a network of elements (junctions, routing reaches, diversion, and
reservoirs) that the user builds. The software can simulate single events or a full period of record
using available time-steps (USACE, 2013). The software models improvement, efficiency and
effectiveness of existing reservoir. However, it does not model water quality and, streamflow
hydrographs are generated elsewhere and imported to the model.

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Simulation of reservoir systems using HEC-ResSim was applied by Calvo-Gobbetti (2017) for
evaluating of different projects for new water sources in the Panama Canal. The model was used
to evaluate the discharges in spillways during the rainy months, hydroelectric generation at
Gatun and Alhajuela Lakes, volumes available for navigation, municipal and industrial
consumption at Gatun Lake and volumes supplied at Alhajuela Lake for municipal and industrial
use. Comparison was made to the storage–yield relationships of the reservoir systems
developed by Vogel et al., (1999).The results indicated the generality of storage–yield curves,
which are similar to those developed by Vogel et al., (1999), and can be used as guides for the
development of new water source projects.

4. Conclusion
Five hydrological models were reviewed: WEAP, HEC-HMS, SWMM, HEC-RAS and HEC-ResSim.
Each model has its unique features and corresponding applications. Some of them are
comprehensive in using hydrological processes distributed over space and time. The models are
used for flood forecasting, water resource systems planning, watershed management, reservoir
simulation, erosion and sedimentation, life loss and economic changes, land use and climate
change etc. Furthermore, three different statistical performance evaluation criteria were
discussed for model assessment and identifying its accuracy in simulation.

A proper knowledge of hydrologic processes and characteristics is necessary otherwise it will

create adverse effect on model calibration. However, researches are still going on to make
better predictions and to face major challenges.

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