Evaluation of Infiltration Modeling in the Cisadane Watershed in Indonesia: Existing and New Approach Equation

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of semi-empirical models for determining infiltration based on the existing equations (Horton, Kostiakov and Kostiakov–Lewis) and a new form equation with optimized parameters which has good accuracy (lowest RMSE and MBE), sufficient linearity (highest R2), and a Willmott index close to 1. The location of this study was the Cisadane watershed, which is a priority watershed in Indonesia. The lowest values of average RMSE and MBE and highest values of R2 and Willmott index are given by Equation 1, which indicated that the model was closest to the field infiltration conditions. The distribution of the RMSE values for all survey points using Equation 1 resulted in small RMSE values ranging from 0.09 to 1.83. The distribution of R2 values for all survey points using Equation 1 yielded R2 values close to 1 (high linearity) with values ranging from 0.96 to 1. Based on these results, it can be concluded that Equation 1 is the most accurate infiltration model for the Cisadane watershed compared to the existing infiltration rate equation. This research can be used as an initial idea to create the infiltration rate model using other forms of equations with optimization parameters to produce a more representative model with field data.