Predicting catchment flow in a semi‐arid region via an artificial neural network technique

A model of rainfall–runoff relationships is an essential tool in the process of evaluation of water resources projects. In this paper, we applied an artificial neural network (ANN) based model for flow prediction using the data for a catchment in a semi‐arid region in Morocco. Use of this method for non‐linear modelling has been demonstrated in several scientific fields such as biology, geology, chemistry and physics. The performance of the developed neural network‐based model was compared against multiple linear regression‐based model using the same observed data. It was found that the neural network model consistently gives superior predictions. Based on the results of this study, artificial neural network modelling appears to be a promising technique for the prediction of flow for catchments in semi‐arid regions. Accordingly, the neural network method can be applied to various hydrological systems where other models may be inappropriate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long‐lead seasonal rainfall forecasting using time‐delay recurrent neural networks: a case study

A temporal artificial neural network‐based model is developed and applied for long‐lead rainfall forecasting. Tapped delay lines and recurrent connections are two different components that are used along with a static multilayer perceptron network to design a time‐delay recurrent neural network. The proposed model is, in fact, a combination of time‐delay and recurrent neural networks. The model is applied in three case studies of the Northwest, West, and Southwest basins of Iran. In addition, an autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model is used as a baseline in order to be compared with the time‐delay recurrent neural networks developed in this study. Large‐scale climate signals, such as sea‐level pressure, that affect the rainfall of the study area are used as the predictors in the models, as well as the persistence between rainfall data. The results of winter‐spring rainfall forecasts are discussed thoroughly. It is demonstrated that in all cases the proposed neural network results in better forecasts in comparison with the statistical ARMAX model. Moreover, it is found that in two of three case studies the time‐delay recurrent neural networks perform better than either recurrent or time‐delay neural networks. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can significantly improve the long‐lead forecast by utilizing a non‐linear relationship between climatic predictors and rainfall in a region. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Real‐time recurrent learning neural network for stream‐flow forecasting

Various types of neural networks have been proposed in previous papers for applications in hydrological events. However, most of these applied neural networks are classified as static neural networks, which are based on batch processes that update action only after the whole training data set has been presented. The time variate characteristics in hydrological processes have not been modelled well. In this paper, we present an alternative approach using an artificial neural network, termed real‐time recurrent learning (RTRL) for stream‐flow forecasting. To define the properties of the RTRL algorithm, we first compare the predictive ability of RTRL with least‐square estimated autoregressive integrated moving average models on several synthetic time‐series. Our results demonstrate that the RTRL network has a learning capacity with high efficiency and is an adequate model for time‐series prediction. We also investigated the RTRL network by using the rainfall–runoff data of the Da‐Chia River in Taiwan. The results show that RTRL can be applied with high accuracy to the study of real‐time stream‐flow forecasting networks. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prediction and modelling of rainfall–runoff during typhoon events using a physically-based and artificial neural network hybrid model

Abstract

The accurate prediction of hourly runoff discharge in a watershed during heavy rainfall events is of critical importance for flood control and management. This study predicts n-h-ahead runoff discharge in the Sandimen basin in southern Taiwan using a novel hybrid approach which combines a physically-based model (HEC-HMS) with an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Hourly runoff discharge data (1200 datasets) from seven heavy rainfall events were collected for the model calibration (training) and validation. Six statistical indicators (i.e. mean absolute error, root mean square error, coefficient of correlation, error of time to peak discharge, error of peak discharge and coefficient of efficiency) were employed to evaluate the performance. In comparison with the HEC-HMS model, the single ANN model, and the time series forecasting (ARMAX) model, the developed hybrid HEC-HMS–ANN model demonstrates improved accuracy in recursive n-h-ahead runoff discharge prediction, especially for peak flow discharge and time.     

Using recurrent neural networks to reconstruct rainfall‐runoff processes

Many novel techniques for reconstructing rainfall‐runoff processes require hydrometeorologic and geomorphologic information for modelling. However, certain information is not always measurable. In this paper, we employ a special recurrent neural network to reconstruct the rainfall‐runoff process by using collected rainfall data. In addition, we propose an indirect system identification to overcome the drawback of a traditional, time‐consuming trial‐and‐error search. The indirect system identification is an efficient method to recognize the structure of a recurrent neural network. The unit hydrograph can be derived directly from the weights of the network due to a state‐space form embedded in the recurrent neural network. This improves the link between the weights of the network and the physical concepts that most neural networks fail to connect. The case studies of 41 events from 1966 to 1997 have been implemented in Taiwan's Wu‐Tu watershed, where the runoff path‐lines are short and steep. Two recurrent neural networks and one state‐space model are utilized to simulate the rainfall‐runoff processes for comparison. The results are validated by four criteria: coefficient of efficiency; peak discharge error; time to peak arrival error; total discharge volume error. The resulting data from the recurrent neural network reveal that the neural network proposed herein is appropriate for hydrological systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Classified real-time flood forecasting by coupling fuzzy clustering and neural network

This paper presented a new classified real-time flood forecasting framework by integrating a fuzzy clustering model and neural network with a conceptual hydrological model. A fuzzy clustering model was used to classify historical floods in terms of flood peak and runoff depth, and the conceptual hydrological model was calibrated for each class of floods. A back-propagation (BP) neural network was trained by using real-time rainfall data and outputs from the fuzzy clustering model. BP neural network provided a rapid on-line classification for real-time flood events. Based on the on-line classification, an appropriate parameter set of hydrological model was automatically chosen to produce real-time flood forecasting. Different parameter sets was continuously used in the flood forecasting process because of the changes of real-time rainfall data and on-line classification results. The proposed methodology was applied to a large catchment in Liaoning province, China. Results show that the classified framework provided a more accurate prediction than the traditional non-classified method. Furthermore, the effects of different index weights in fuzzy clustering were also discussed.     

Improvement of artificial neural networks to predict daily streamflow in a semi-arid area

ABSTRACT

The application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) has been widely used recently in streamflow forecasting because of their ?exible mathematical structure. However, several researchers have indicated that using ANNs in streamflow forecasting often produces a timing lag between observed and simulated time series. In addition, ANNs under- or overestimate a number of peak flows. In this paper, we proposed three data-processing techniques to improve ANN prediction and deal with its weaknesses. The Wilson-Hilferty transformation (WH) and two methods of baseflow separation (one parameter digital filter, OPDF, and recursive digital filter, RDF) were coupled with ANNs to build three hybrid models: ANN-WH, ANN-OPDF and ANN-RDF. The network behaviour was quantitatively evaluated by examining the differences between model output and observed variables. The results show that even following the guidelines of the Wilson-Hilferty transformation, which significantly reduces the effect of local variations, it was found that the ANN-WH model has shown no significant improvement of peak flow estimation or of timing error. However, combining baseflow with streamflow and rainfall provides important information to ANN models concerning the flow process operating in the aquifer and the watershed systems. The model produced excellent performance in terms of various statistical indices where timing error was totally eradicated and peak flow estimation significantly improved.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor Y. Gyasi-Agyei     

Extreme learning machine for the displacement prediction of landslide under rainfall and reservoir level

Landslide prediction is always the emphasis of landslide research. Using global positioning system GPS technologies to monitor the superficial displacements of landslide is a very useful and direct method in landslide evolution analysis. In this paper, an EEMD–ELM model [ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) based extreme learning machine (ELM) ensemble learning paradigm] is proposed to analysis the monitoring data for landslide displacement prediction. The rainfall data and reservoir level fluctuation data are also integrated into the study. The rainfall series, reservoir level fluctuation series and landslide accumulative displacement series are all decomposed into the residual series and a limited number of intrinsic mode functions with different frequencies from high to low using EEMD technique. A novel neural network technique, ELM, is employed to study the interactions of these sub-series at different frequency affecting landslide occurrence. Each sub-series extracted from accumulative displacement of landslide is forecasted respectively by establishing appropriate ELM model. The final prediction result is obtained by summing up the calculated predictive displacement value of each sub. The EEMD–ELM model shows the best accuracy comparing with basic artificial neural network models through forecasting the displacement of Baishuihe landslide in the Three Gorges reservoir area of China.     

Updating Real-Time Flood Forecasting Using a Fuzzy Rule-Based Model/Mise à Jour de Prévision de Crue en Temps Réel Grâce à un Modèle à Base de Règles Floues

Abstract

An updating technique is a tool to update the forecasts of mathematical flood forecasting model based on data observed in real time, and is an important element in a flood forecasting model. An error prediction model based on a fuzzy rule-based method was proposed as the updating technique in this work to improve one- to four-hour-ahead flood forecasts by a model that is composed of the grey rainfall model, the grey rainfall—runoff model and the modified Muskingum flow routing model. The coefficient of efficiency with respect to a benchmark is applied to test the applicability of the proposed fuzzy rule-based method. The analysis reveals that the fuzzy rule-based method can improve flood forecasts one to four hours ahead. The proposed updating technique can mitigate the problem of the phase lag in forecast hydrographs, and especially in forecast hydrographs with longer lead times.     

Nonlinear multivariate rainfall–stage model for large wetland systems

Wetland restoration is often measured by how close the spatial and temporal water level (stage) patterns are to the pre-drainage conditions. Driven by rainfall, such multivariate conditions are governed by nonstationary, nonlinear, and nonGaussian processes and are often simulated by physically based distributed models which are difficult to run in real time due to extensive data requirements. The objective of this study is to provide the wetland restorationists with a real time rainfall–stage modeling tool of simpler input structure and capability to recognize the wetland system complexity. A dynamic multivariate Nonlinear AutoRegressive network with eXogenous inputs (NARX) combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was developed. An implementation procedure was proposed and an application to Florida Everglade’s wetland systems was presented. Inputs to the model are time lagged rainfall, evapotranspiration and previously simulated stages. Data locations, preliminary time lag selection, spatial and temporal nonstationarity are identified through exploratory data analysis. PCA was used to eliminate input variable interdependence and to reduce the problem dimensions by more than 90% while retaining more than 80% of the process variance. A structured approach to select optimal time lags and network parameters was provided. NARX model results were compared to those of the linear Multivariate AutoRegressive model with eXogenous inputs. While one step ahead prediction shows comparable results, recursive prediction by NARX is far more superior to that of the linear model. Also, NARX testing under drastically different climatic conditions from those used in the development demonstrates a very good and robust performance. Driven by net rainfall, NARX exhibited robust stage prediction with an overall Efficiency Coefficient of 88%, Mean Square Error less than 0.004 m², a standard error less than 0.06 m, a bias close to zero and normal probability plots show that the errors are close to normal distributions.     

Spatial rainfall model using a pattern classifier for estimating missing daily rainfall data

Missing data in daily rainfall records are very common in water engineering practice. However, they must be replaced by proper estimates to be reliably used in hydrologic models. Presented herein is an effort to develop a new spatial daily rainfall model that is specifically intended to fill in gaps in a daily rainfall dataset. The proposed model is different from a convectional daily rainfall generation scheme in that it takes advantage of concurrent measurements at the nearby sites to increase the accuracy of estimation. The model is based on a two-step approach to handle the occurrence and the amount of daily rainfalls separately. This study tested four neural network classifiers for a rainfall occurrence processor, and two regression techniques for a rainfall amount processor. The test results revealed that a probabilistic neural network approach is preferred for determining the occurrence of daily rainfalls, and a stepwise regression with a log-transformation is recommended for estimating daily rainfall amounts.     

Wavelet analysis residual kriging vs. neural network residual kriging

 This paper deals with the problem of spatial data mapping. A new method based on wavelet interpolation and geostatistical prediction (kriging) is proposed. The method – wavelet analysis residual kriging (WARK) – is developed in order to assess the problems rising for highly variable data in presence of spatial trends. In these cases stationary prediction models have very limited application. Wavelet analysis is used to model large-scale structures and kriging of the remaining residuals focuses on small-scale peculiarities. WARK is able to model spatial pattern which features multiscale structure. In the present work WARK is applied to the rainfall data and the results of validation are compared with the ones obtained from neural network residual kriging (NNRK). NNRK is also a residual-based method, which uses artificial neural network to model large-scale non-linear trends. The comparison of the results demonstrates the high quality performance of WARK in predicting hot spots, reproducing global statistical characteristics of the distribution and spatial correlation structure.     

A comparative study of extensive machine learning models for predicting long-term monthly rainfall with an ensemble of climatic and meteorological predictors

Rainfall prediction is of vital importance in water resources management. Accurate long-term rainfall prediction remains an open and challenging problem. Machine learning techniques, as an increasingly popular approach, provide an attractive alternative to traditional methods. The main objective of this study was to improve the prediction accuracy of machine learning-based methods for monthly rainfall, and to improve the understanding of the role of large-scale climatic variables and local meteorological variables in rainfall prediction. One regression model autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) and five state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms, including artificial neural networks, support vector machine, random forest (RF), gradient boosting regression, and dual-stage attention-based recurrent neural network, were implemented for monthly rainfall prediction over 25 stations in the East China region. The results showed that the ML models outperformed ARIMA model, and RF relatively outperformed other models. Local meteorological variables, humidity, and sunshine duration, were the most important predictors in improving prediction accuracy. 4-month lagged Western North Pacific Monsoon had higher importance than other large-scale climatic variables. The overall output of rainfall prediction was scalable and could be readily generalized to other regions.     

New fuzzy neural network–Markov model and application in mid- to long-term runoff forecast

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a mid- to long-term runoff forecast model is developed using an ideal point fuzzy neural network–Markov (NFNN-MKV) hybrid algorithm to improve the forecasting precision. Combining the advantages of the new fuzzy neural network and the Markov prediction model, this model can solve the problem of stationary or volatile strong random processes. Defined error statistics algorithms are used to evaluate the performance of models. A runoff prediction for the Si Quan Reservoir is made by utilizing the modelling method and the historical runoff data, with a comprehensive consideration of various runoff-impacting factors such as rainfall. Compared with the traditional fuzzy neural networks and Markov prediction models, the results show that the NFNN-MKV hybrid algorithm has good performance in faster convergence, better forecasting accuracy and significant improvement of neural network generalization. The absolute percentage error of the NFNN-MKV hybrid algorithm is less than 7.0%, MSE is less than 3.9, and qualification rate reaches 100%. For further comparison of the proposed model, the NFNN-MKV model is employed to estimate (training and testing for 120-month-ahead prediction) and predict river discharge for 156 months at Weijiabao on the Weihe River in China. Comparisons among the results of the NFNN-MKV model, the WNN model and the SVR model indicate that the NFNN-MKV model is able to significantly increase prediction accuracy.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor Y. Gyasi-Agyei     

A hybrid neural network model for typhoon-rainfall forecasting

A hybrid neural network model is proposed in this paper to forecast the typhoon rainfall. Two different types of artificial neural networks, the self-organizing map (SOM) and the multilayer perceptron network (MLPN), are combined to develop the proposed model. In the proposed model, a data analysis technique is developed based on the SOM, which can perform cluster analysis and discrimination analysis in one step. The MLPN is used as the nonlinear regression technique to construct the relationship between the input and output data. First, the input data are analyzed using a SOM-based data analysis technique. Through the SOM-based data analysis technique, input data with different properties are first divided into distinct clusters, which can help the multivariate nonlinear regression of each cluster. Additionally, the topological relationships among data are discovered from which more insight into the typhoon-rainfall process can be revealed. Then, for each cluster, the individual relationship between the input and output data is constructed by a specific MLPN. For evaluating the forecasting performance of the proposed model, an application is conducted. The proposed model is applied to the Tanshui River Basin to forecast the typhoon rainfall. The results show that the proposed model can forecast more precisely than the model developed by the conventional neural network approach.     

Modeling and Prediction of Monthly Total Ozone Concentrations by Use of an Artificial Neural Network Based on Principal Component Analysis

In the work discussed in this paper we considered total ozone time series over Kolkata (22°34′10.92″N, 88°22′10.92″E), an urban area in eastern India. Using cloud cover, average temperature, and rainfall as the predictors, we developed an artificial neural network, in the form of a multilayer perceptron with sigmoid non-linearity, for prediction of monthly total ozone concentrations from values of the predictors in previous months. We also estimated total ozone from values of the predictors in the same month. Before development of the neural network model we removed multicollinearity by means of principal component analysis. On the basis of the variables extracted by principal component analysis, we developed three artificial neural network models. By rigorous statistical assessment it was found that cloud cover and rainfall can act as good predictors for monthly total ozone when they are considered as the set of input variables for the neural network model constructed in the form of a multilayer perceptron. In general, the artificial neural network has good potential for predicting and estimating monthly total ozone on the basis of the meteorological predictors. It was further observed that during pre-monsoon and winter seasons, the proposed models perform better than during and after the monsoon.     

基于鲸鱼优化算法的长短期记忆模型水库洪水预报

洪涝灾害是世界主要自然灾害之一,优化洪水预报方案对防洪决策至关重要,然而传统水文模型存在参数多、调参受人为因素影响,泛化能力弱等问题。针对上述问题,本文提出基于改进的鲸鱼优化算法和长短期记忆网络构建自动优化参数的WOA-LSTM模型,通过优化神经网络结构进一步增强该模型的稳定性和精确度,并且建立不同预见期下的洪水预报模型来分析讨论神经网络结构与预报期之间的关系。以横锦水库流域1986—1997年洪水资料为例,其中以流域7个雨量站点的降雨以及横锦站水文资料为输入,不同预见期下洪水过程作为输出,以1986—1993年作为模型的率定期,1994—1997年作为模型的检验期,研究结果表明:(1)以峰现时差、确定性系数、径流深误差和洪峰流量误差作为评价指标,相比较于LSTM模型和新安江模型对检验期的模拟结果表明WOA-LSTM模型拥有更高的精度、预报结果更稳定;(2)结合置换特征值和SHAP法分析模型特征值重要性,增强了神经网络模型的可解释性;(3)通过改变神经网络结构在一定程度避免由于预见期增加和数据关联性下降而导致的模型预报精度下降的问题,最终实验表明该模型在预见期1~6 h下都可以满足横锦水库的洪水预报要求,可以为当地的防洪决策提供依据。     

The strategy of building a flood forecast model by neuro‐fuzzy network

A methodology is proposed for constructing a flood forecast model using the adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This is based on a self‐organizing rule‐base generator, a feedforward network, and fuzzy control arithmetic. Given the rainfall‐runoff patterns, ANFIS could systematically and effectively construct flood forecast models. The precipitation and flow data sets of the Choshui River in central Taiwan are analysed to identify the useful input variables and then the forecasting model can be self‐constructed through ANFIS. The analysis results suggest that the persistent effect and upstream flow information are the key effects for modelling the flood forecast, and the watershed's average rainfall provides further information and enhances the accuracy of the model performance. For the purpose of comparison, the commonly used back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) is also examined. The forecast results demonstrate that ANFIS is superior to the BPNN, and ANFIS can effectively and reliably construct an accurate flood forecast model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of gauge and radar precipitation data for simulating an extreme hydrological event in the Severn Uplands,UK

This paper provides a comparison of gauge and radar precipitation data sources during an extreme hydrological event. November–December 2006 was selected as a time period of intense rainfall and large river flows for the Severn Uplands, an upland catchment in the United Kingdom. A comparison between gauge and radar precipitation time‐series records for the event indicated discrepancies between data sources, particularly in areas of higher elevation. The HEC‐HMS rainfall‐runoff model was selected to assess the accuracy of the precipitation to simulate river flows for the extreme event. Gauge, radar and gauge‐corrected radar rainfall were used as model inputs. Universal cokriging was used to geostatistically interpolate gauge data with radar and elevation data as covariates. This interpolated layer was used to calculate the mean‐field bias and correct the radar composites. Results indicated that gauge‐ and gauge‐corrected radar‐driven models replicated flows adequately for the extreme event. Gauge‐corrected flow predictions produced an increase in flow prediction accuracy when compared with the raw radar, yet predictions were comparative in accuracy to those using the interpolated gauge network. Subsequent investigations suggested this was due to an adequate spatial and temporal resolution of the precipitation gauge network within the Severn Uplands. Results suggested that the six rain gauges could adequately represent precipitation variability of the Severn Uplands to predict flows at an approximately equal accuracy to that obtained by radar. Temporally, radar produced an increase in flow prediction accuracy in mountainous reaches once the gauge time step was in excessive of an hourly interval. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the inter-annual variability of rainfall statistics on stochastically generated rainfall time series: part 2. Impact on watershed response variables

This study analyzes how the stochastically generated rainfall time series accounting for the inter-annual variability of rainfall statistics can improve the prediction of watershed response variables such as peak flow and runoff depth. The modified Bartlett–Lewis rectangular pulse (MBLRP) rainfall generation model was improved such that it can account for the inter-annual variability of the observed rainfall statistics. Then, the synthetic rainfall time series was generated using the MBLRP model, which was used as input rainfall data for SCS hydrologic models to produce runoff depth and peak flow in a virtual watershed. These values were compared to the ones derived from the synthetic rainfall time series that is generated from the traditional MBLRP rainfall modeling. The result of the comparison indicates that the rainfall time series reflecting the inter-annual variability of rainfall statistics reduces the biasness residing in the predicted peak flow values derived from the synthetic rainfall time series generated using the traditional MBLRP approach by 26–47 %. In addition, it was observed that the overall variability of the peak flow and run off depth distribution was better represented when the inter-annual variability of rainfall statistics are considered.