Parameter Estimation of a Distributed Hydrologic Model using Parallel PEST: Comparison of Impacts by Radar and Ground Rainfall Estimates

In this study, we estimate parameters of a distributed hydrologic model, GRM (grid based rainfall-runoff model), using a model-independent parameter estimation tool, PEST. We implement auto calibration of model parameters such as initial soil moisture, multipliers of overland roughness and soil hydraulic conductivity in the Geumho River Catchment and the Gamcheon Catchment using radar rainfall estimates and ground-observed rainfall represented by Thiessen interpolation. Automatic calibration is performed by GRM-MP (multiple projects), a modified version of GRM without GUI (graphic user interface) implementation, and "Parallel PEST" to improve estimation efficiency. Although ground rainfall shows similar or higher cumulative amount compared to radar rainfall in the areal average, high spatial variation is found only in radar rainfall. In terms of accuracy of hydrologic simulations, radar rainfall is equivalent or superior to ground rainfall. In the case of radar rainfall, the estimated multiplier of soil hydraulic conductivity is lower than 1, which may be affected by high rainfall intensity of radar rainfall. Other parameters such as initial soil moisture and the multiplier of overland roughness do not show consistent trends in the calibration results. Overall, calibrated parameters show different patterns in radar and ground rainfall, which should be carefully considered in the rainfall-runoff modelling applications using radar rainfall.