Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130380
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Comparing a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network with a physically-based hydrological model for streamflow forecasting over a Canadian catchment
Author Sabzipour, B.; Arsenault, R.; Troin, M.; Martel, J.-L.; Brissette, F.; Brunet, F.; Mai, J.
Source Titel Journal of Hydrology
Year 2023
Department CHS
Volume 627, Part A
Page From art. 130380
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0022169423013227-mmc1.docx
Keywords Long short-term memory (LSTM); hydrological forecasting; data assimilation; ensemble forecasting; deep learning
Abstract Streamflow forecasting is crucial in water planning and management. Physically-based hydrological models have been used for a long time in these fields, but improving forecast quality is still an active area of research. Recently, some artificial neural networks have been found to be effective in simulating and predicting short-term streamflow. In this study, we examine the reliability of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning model in predicting streamflow for lead times of up to ten days over a Canadian catchment. The performance of the LSTM model is compared to that of a process-based distributed hydrological model, with both models using the same weather ensemble forecasts. Furthermore, the LSTM’s ability to integrate observed streamflow on the forecast issue date is compared to the data assimilation process required for the hydrological model to reduce initial state biases. Results indicate that the LSTM model forecasted streamflows are more reliable and accurate for lead-times up to 7 and 9 days, respectively. Additionally, it is shown that the LSTM model using recent observed flows as a predictor can forecast flows with smaller errors in the first forecasting days without requiring an explicit data assimilation step, with the LSTM model generating a median value of mean absolute error (MAE) for the first day of lead-time across all forecast issue dates of 25 m3/s compared to 115 m3/s for the assimilated hydrological model.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28102
Sabzipour, B., Arsenault, R., Troin, M., Martel, J.-L., Brissette, F., Brunet, F., Mai, J. (2023):
Comparing a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network with a physically-based hydrological model for streamflow forecasting over a Canadian catchment
J. Hydrol. 627, Part A , art. 130380 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130380