Evaluating the accuracy of gridded water resources reanalysis and evapotranspiration products for assessing water security in poorly gauged basins

Abstract. Achieving water security in poorly gauged basins is critically hindered by a lack of situ river discharge data to assess past, current, and future evolution resources. To overcome this challenge, there has been shift toward the use freely available satellite reanalysis products. However, due inherent bias uncertainty, these secondary sources require careful evaluation ascertain their performance before being applied basins. The objectives study were evaluate evapotranspiration estimates from eight gridded resources (WRR), six satellite-based (ET) products, ET derived complimentary relationship (CR–ET) across located Central–West Africa. Results highlight strengths weaknesses different WRR simulating dynamics Likewise, products also show some strength monthly ET. Our results further revealed that models strongly influenced model structure, input data, spatial resolution. Considering all hydrological criteria, FLDAS-Noah, Lisflood, AWRAL, Terra among best performing while for estimates, Terra, GLEAM3.5a 3.5b, PMLV2 outperformed rest Given plethora available, it imperative representative identify can be each region. choice particular product will depend on application user requirements. Taking together, suggest are useful source assessing