Taking 2 cases as the research object, the paper used a novel swarm intelligence algorithm -- multiple optimization (MVO) algorithm to optimize the parameters of Muskingum model, and compared the results with that of accelerating genetic algorithm and other methods in related literature.The results show that MVO algorithm is better than the other algorithm.By use of MVO algorithm to optimize the parameter of Muskingum model can get higher precision than that of related literature.The mathod can not only provide an effective method for accurate parameter estimation of Muskingum model, but also expand the application of MVO algorithm in parameter optimization of hydrological model.