Applying soft computing approaches to river level forecasting

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Abstract
This paper assesses one of many potential enhancements to conventional flood forecasting that can be achieved through the use of soft computing technologies. A methodology is outlined in which the forecasting data set is split into subsets before training with a series of neural networks. These networks are then recombined via a rule-based fuzzy logic model that has been optimized using a genetic algorithm. The methodology is demonstrated using historical time series data from the Ouse River catchment in northern England. The model forecasts are assessed on global performance statistics and on a more specific flood-related evaluation measure, and they are compared to benchmarks from a statistical model and naive predictions. The overall results indicate that this methodology may provide a well performing, low-cost solution, which may be readily integrated into existing operational flood forecasting and warning systems.