Updating initial states of the HBV hydrological model by means of an Ensemble Kalman Filter to improve discharge forecasting – 2014

The report illustrates the potential of data assimilation to improve discharge forecasting by means of the HBV hydrological model in two tributaries of the Rhine. In the process, both observed discharge values are assimilated into the applied hydrological model as well as spatially distributed data of the snow water equivalent and soil moisture. The data assimilation process provides so-called updated initial conditions for discharge forecasts and evaluates the quality of the forecasts by means of objective and aggregated criteria.