Tidal-level forecasting and filtering by neural network model

This paper presents an application of the neural network (NN) model for forecasting and filtering problems. Instead of using the gradient descent method as used by the standard back-propagation network, the present study adopted the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. It was shown that the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm tends to reach termination criteria more quickly making the searches employing the full model less time consuming. In the first part of forecasting problem, multilayer feedforward (MLFF) network was constructed by trials to forecast the tidal-level variations at the Chao Phraya river mouth in Thailand. Unlike the well-known conventional harmonic analysis, the neural network model uses a set of previous data for learning and then forecasting directly the time series of tidal levels. It was found that lead time of 1 to 24 hourly tidal levels can be successfully predicted using only a short-time hourly learning data. In the second part of filtering problem, the MLFF network was also used to establish a stage-discharge relationship for tidal river. Comparisons were made among conventional methods, i.e. by using multivariate functions (Linear and power models) and the NN model. The NN model was found to be able to model the transfer function too much higher accuracy than multiple regression analysis. The root mean square errors (RMSE) and the mean relative error (MRE) for the NN model are about 8 cm and 6.4% whereas the same errors for multiple regression analysis are 16 cm and 12%, respectively. The efficiency index for the linear, power, and NN models is 0.4, 0.7, and 0.9, respectively. In addition, the obtained stage-discharge relationship by the NN model can indicate reasonably important behavior of the tidal influences, i.e. there are stronger influences of tide during the dry period than the flood period.