AI application of the outlier-robust extreme learning machine (ORELM) model in river discharge prediction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Computer Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Department of Water Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

3 Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the Outlier-robust extreme learning machine (ORELM) model in predicting the discharge of the Qarasu River at the Pol Kohneh hydrological station in Kermanshah.
 
Method: The study focuses on the Pol Kohneh watershed along the Qarasu River, which originates from Sarab Ravansar, 50 kilometers northwest of Kermanshah. This study applies ELM to predict rainfall and river discharge using hydrological and meteorological data. ELM’s ability to handle complex, nonlinear relationships makes it suitable for forecasting, especially in real-time applications. To improve accuracy, outlier removal is performed before training. The model efficiently predicts future discharge values, offering a scalable solution for water resource management and flood risk assessment.
 
Results: The RMSE values for a one-month lag (t-1) were recorded as 12.22 and 4.14 for the training and testing phases, respectively. The findings of this study highlight the potential of artificial intelligence-based models like ORELM in hydrological forecasting. Unlike traditional methods, these models require significantly less time and computational effort while delivering accurate predictions. By leveraging machine learning techniques, water resource managers can efficiently forecast river discharge trends, aiding in effective decision-making for flood management, irrigation planning, and water allocation during dry and wet periods.
 
Conclusions:  The ability of ORELM to handle long-term discharge predictions with minimal input data makes it a valuable tool for hydrological studies, particularly in data-scarce regions where conventional models face limitations.

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