Interactive Calibration Program (ICP)

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Reasonable initialization of parameters is essential to successful calibration.
While some discussion is made for initial parameter estimates, recent work has added to this knowledge.
Methodology and techniques for establishing reasonable parameters prior to beginning the calibration process is essential.
Physical attributes of a basin, as well as historical hydrologic data, serve as the basis for determining initial parameter values.

V.Koren, M.Smith, Q,Duan,"Hydrologic Model Calibration in the NWS", Advances in Calibration of Watershed Models, Chap 18, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, December 15-19, 2000, San Francisco, CA, EROS Transactions, AGU, 81 (48)

Some helpful rules were suggested for estimating of initial values of SAC-SMA parameters using hyetograph-hydrograph analysis.
These initial estimates play a key role in the manual calibration procedure of the National Weather Service River Forecast System (NWSRFS).

Burnash, 1995

Finally, Dr. Eric Anderson, formerly with the NWS Office of Hydrology published a very comprehensive and detailed manual on calibration of NWSRFS based on his many years of experience with this system.

Eric Anderson,"Calibration of Conceptual Hydrologic Models for Use in River Forecasting" Workshop Manual , section 7-5 of which goes through analysis of daily hydrographs and soil descriptions for determining initial SAC SMA parameter values.