# AQUAH: Automatic Quantification and Unified Agent in Hydrology

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02936 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.02936/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Multimodal and embodied agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use.
- Builds on 7 of its 27 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 4 Aug 2025.

## Placed in

- LLM agents and tool use / [Multimodal and embodied agents](https://mlsanity.com/agents/multimodal-and-embodied-agents/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 7 of 7)

- [ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.03629/) (2022)
- [HuggingGPT: Solving AI Tasks with ChatGPT and its Friends in Hugging Face](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.17580/) (2023)
- [Kosmos-2: Grounding Multimodal Large Language Models to the World](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.14824/) (2023)
- [Gemma: Open Models Based on Gemini Research and Technology](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.08295/) (2024)
- [Prithvi-EO-2.0: A Versatile Multi-Temporal Foundation Model for Earth Observation Applications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.02732/) (2024)
- [TerraMind: Large-Scale Generative Multimodality for Earth Observation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.11171/) (2025)
- [TerraMesh: A Planetary Mosaic of Multimodal Earth Observation Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.11172/) (2025)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [HydroAgent: Closing the Gap Between Frontier LLMs and Human Experts in Hydrologic Model Calibration via Simulator-Grounded RL](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.17792/) (2026)
- [An Agentic Interface for End-to-End Probabilistic Seismic Hazard and Risk Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.16249/) (2026)
- [HydroAgent: Formalizing Forecaster Expertise into Skill-Orchestrated Flood Forecasting Workflows](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.23983/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We introduce AQUAH, the first end-to-end language-based agent designed specifically for hydrologic modeling. Starting from a simple natural-language prompt (e.g., 'simulate floods for the Little Bighorn basin from 2020 to 2022'), AQUAH autonomously retrieves the required terrain, forcing, and gauge data; configures a hydrologic model; runs the simulation; and generates a self-contained PDF report. The workflow is driven by vision-enabled large language models, which interpret maps and rasters on the fly and steer key decisions such as outlet selection, parameter initialization, and uncertainty commentary. Initial experiments across a range of U.S. basins show that AQUAH can complete cold-start simulations and produce analyst-ready documentation without manual intervention. The results are judged by hydrologists as clear, transparent, and physically plausible. While further calibration and validation are still needed for operational deployment, these early outcomes highlight the promise of LLM-centered, vision-grounded agents to streamline complex environmental modeling and lower the barrier between Earth observation data, physics-based tools, and decision makers.