Fitting extreme value distributions to the Zambezi River flood water levels recorded at Katima Mulilo in Namibia (1965-2003)

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Date

2005

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

This study sought to identify and fit the appropriate extreme value distribution to flood data, using the method of maximum likelihood. To examine the uncertainty of the estimated parameters and evaluate the goodness of fit of the model identified. The study revealed that the three parameter Weibull and the generalised extreme value (GEV) distributions fit the data very well. Standard errors for the estimated parameters were calculated from the empirical information matrix. An upper limit to the flood levels followed from the fitted distribution.

Description

>Magister Scientiae - MSc

Keywords

Extreme value theory, Generalized extreme value distribution, QQ plots, Limit to flood levels, Annual maximum flood level, Weibull distribution, Zambezi river, Likelihood ratio testing, Empirical information matrix

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