Selection of Probabilistic Model of Extreme Floods in Benue River Basin, Nigeria

The selection of optimum probabilistic model of extreme floods as a crucial step for flood frequency analysis has remained a formidable challenge for the scientific and engineering communities to address. Presently, there is no scientific consensus about the choice of probability distribution model that would accurately simulate flood discharges at a particular location or region. In practice, several probability distributions are evaluated, and the optimum distribution is then used to establish the design quantile - probability relationship. This paper presents the evaluation of five probability distributions models; Gumbel (EV1), 2-parameter lognormal (LN2), log Pearson type III (LP3), Pearson type III(PR3), and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) using the method of moments (MoM) for parameter estimation and annual maximum series of four hydrological stations in Benue River Basin in Nigeria. Additionally, Q-Q plots were used to compliment the selection process. The choice of optimum probability distribution model was based on five statistical goodness – of – fit measures; modified index of agreement (Dmod), relative root mean square error (RRMSE), Nash – Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Percent bias (PBIAS), ratio of RMSE and standard deviation of the measurement (RSR). Goodness – of – fit assessment reveals that GEV is the best – fit distribution, seconded by PR3 and thirdly, LP3. In comparison with WMO (1989) survey of countries on distribution types currently in use for frequency analysis of extremes of floods shows that GEV is standard in one country, while PR3 is a standard in 7 countries, and LP3 is standard in 7 countries. It is recommended that GEV, PR3 and LP3 should be considered in the final selection of optimum probability distribution model in Nigeria.