Discussion of 'Parameter Estimation of the Nonlinear Muskingum Flood-Routing Model Using a Hybrid Harmony Search Algorithm'

摘要

The discusser would like to thank the authors for using a hybrid harmony search algorithm to estimate the parameters of the nonlinear Muskingum model and would like to draw attention to some points. An accurate solution method is essential to the parameter estimation (calibration) of the nonlinear Muskingum model (Vatankhah 2010). It is clear that accurate and standard methods used in simulation stage will generate similar acceptable results. Many researchers used Tung's method [reported by Geem (2006), Mohan (1997), Kim et al. (2001), and others] to solve the nonlinear Muskingum model (simulation stage) and then used robust optimization methods to estimate the parameters (calibration stage). Tung's method is similar to Euler's method (Vatankhah 2010). Euler's method which is adopted by most researchers is not very accurate and results in inaccurate simulations based on the nonlinear Muskingum model and should not be used by the robust optimization methods for parameter estimation (Vatankhah 2010).