Recession Curve Analysis to Constrain Rainfall-Discharge Model Parameterisation

Abstract

This paper explores the conceptual reservoir model applied to karst aquifers. A methodology is proponed to facilitate model parameter optimisation by improving overall parameter identifiability. This approach uses recession curve analysis to determine a parameter often included in the optimisation process: the baseflow coefficient. The proposed methodology was applied to six French karst systems representing a relatively large spectrum of karst system types. The efficiency of the model’s two versions (the recession coefficient as a free parameter and the recession coefficient obtained from recession curve analysis) was similar. In addition, the analysis of the variability of the model’s parameters shows that fixing the baseflow coefficient provides better identifiability of the model’s other parameters during the optimisation procedure.