TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jan 1, 1987

Combining Hydrologic Forecasts

Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 113, Issue 1

Abstract

Forecasts of river flows are useful in optimizing the operation of multipurpose reservoir systems. Using two case studies, the usefulness of combination techniques for improving forecasts is examined. In the first study, a transfer function‐noise model, a periodic autoregressive model, and a conceptual model are employed to forecast quarter‐monthly river flows. These models all approach the modeling and forecasting problem from three different perspectives, and each has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. The forecasts generated by the individual models are combined in an effort to exploit the strengths of each model. The results of this case study indicate that significantly better forecasts can be obtained when forecasts from different types of models are combined. In the second study, periodic autoregressive models and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models are used to forecast monthly river flows. Combining the individual forecasts from these two statistical time series models does not result in significantly better forecasts.

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Go to Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 113Issue 1January 1987
Pages: 29 - 41

History

Published online: Jan 1, 1987
Published in print: Jan 1987

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Authors

Affiliations

A. Ian McLeod
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
Donald J. Noakes
Research Scientist, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Keith W. Hipel
Prof., Dept. of Systems Design Engrg., Univ. of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Robert M. Thompstone
Asst. Superintendent, Supply Services, Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd., Jonquière, Québec, Canada

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