Development of a Stepwise-Clustered Hydrological Inference Model
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 20, Issue 10
Abstract
Flow prediction is one of the most important issues in modern hydrology. In this study, a statistical tool, stepwise-clustered hydrological inference (SCHI) model, was developed for daily streamflow forecasting. The SCHI model uses cluster trees to represent the nonlinear and complex relationships between streamflow and multiple factors related to climate and watershed conditions. It allows a great deal of flexibility in watershed configuration. The proposed model was applied to the daily streamflow forecasting in the Xiangxi River watershed, China. The correlation coefficient for calibration (1991–1995) was 0.881, and that for validation (1996–1998) was 0.771. Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies for calibration and validation were 0.768 and 0.577, respectively. The results were compared to those of a conventional process-based model, and it was found that the SCHI model had a superior performance. The results indicate that the proposed model could provide not only reliable and efficient daily flow prediction but also decision alternatives through analyzing the end nodes of the cluster tree under uncertainties. This study is a first attempt to predict daily flow using stepwise-cluster analysis.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the Natural Sciences Foundation (51190095, 51225904), the 111 Project (B14008), and the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
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Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 20 • Issue 10 • October 2015
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© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 3, 2014
Accepted: Dec 2, 2014
Published online: Jan 23, 2015
Discussion open until: Jun 23, 2015
Published in print: Oct 1, 2015
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