Replication Study: Enhancing Hydrological Modeling with Physics-Guided Machine Learning

Abstract

Current hydrological modeling methods combine data-driven Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and traditional physics-based models to address their respective limitations incorrect parameter estimates from rigid physics-based models and the neglect of physical process constraints by ML algorithms. Despite the accuracy of ML in outcome prediction, the integration of scientific knowledge is crucial for reliable predictions. This study introduces a Physics Informed Machine Learning (PIML) model, which merges the process understanding of conceptual hydrological models with the predictive efficiency of ML algorithms. Applied to the Anandapur sub-catchment, the PIML model demonstrates superior performance in forecasting monthly streamflow and actual evapotranspiration over both standalone conceptual models and ML algorithms, ensuring physical consistency of the outputs. This study replicates the methodologies of Bhasme, P., Vagadiya, J., & Bhatia, U. (2022) from their pivotal work on Physics Informed Machine Learning for hydrological processes, utilizing their shared code and datasets to further explore the predictive capabilities in hydrological modeling.