The runoff formation process is believed to be highly non-linear, time varying, spatially distributed, and not easily described by simple models. Considerable time and effort has been directed to model this process, and many hydrologic models have been built specifically for this purpose. All of them, however, require significant amounts of data for their respective calibration and validation. Using physical models raises issues of collecting the appropriate data with sufficient accuracy. In most cases it is difficult to collect all the data necessary for such a model.
By using data driven models such as genetic programming (GP), one can attempt to model runoff on the basis of available hydrometeorological data. This work addresses use of genetic programming for creating rainfall-runoff models on the basis of data alone, as well as in combination with conceptual models (i.e taking advantage of knowledge about the problem domain).
