Ratingcurve: A Python package for fitting streamflow rating curves
Hydrology
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Abstract
Streamflow is one of the most important variables in hydrology, but it is difficult to measure continuously. As a result, nearly all streamflow time series are estimated from rating curves that define a mathematical relationship between streamflow and some easy-to-measure proxy like water surface elevation (stage). Despite the existence of automated methods, most rating curves are still fit manually, which can be time-consuming and subjective. Although several automated methods exist, they vary greatly in performance because of the non-convex nature of the problem. In this work, we develop a parameterization of the segmented power law that works reliably with minimal data, which could serve operationally or as a benchmark for evaluating other methods. The model, along with test data and tutorials, is available as an open-source Python package called ratingcurve. The implementation uses a modern probabilistic machine-learning framework, which is relatively easy to modify so that others can improve upon it.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Ratingcurve: A Python package for fitting streamflow rating curves |
| Series title | Hydrology |
| DOI | 10.3390/hydrology11020014 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Central Midwest Water Science Center |
| Description | 14, 9 p. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |