Short-term streamflow time series prediction model by machine learning tool based on data preprocessing technique and swarm intelligence algorithm

Accurate streamflow prediction information is of great importance for water resource planning and management. The goal of this research is to develop a hybrid model for forecasting short-term runoff time series, where the variational mode decomposition (VMD) is first used to decompose the original nonlinear natural streamflow into numerous subcomponents with different frequencies and resolutions. Second, the extreme learning machine (ELM) is used to excavate the complicated input-output relationship hidden in each subcomponent, and the emerging sine cosine algorithm (SCA) is used to determine the suitable network parameter for each ELM model. Finally, the forecasting results of all the modelled subcomponents are summarized to form the forecasting result for original streamflow. Based on several statistical evaluation measures, the feasibility of the hybrid method is investigated in runoff forecasting for Danjiangkou Reservoir in China. The results indicate that the hybrid method can produce superior forecasting results compared to several control methods, providing accurate streamflow prediction information for operators.