Predictive performances of machine learning– and deep learning–based univariate and multivariate reservoir inflow predictions in the Chao Phraya River Basin

Abstract This study demonstrated the predictability of Machine Learning (ML)– and Deep Learning (DL)–based univariate and multivariate predictions of reservoir inflows of Bhumibol (BB) and Sirikit (SK), two major dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin. XGBoost, tree–based ensemble–, and LSTM, deep neural network–based algorithms were selected for development of daily and monthly prediction models. For univariate prediction, the inflows of the BB and SK dams were predicted separately using two individual models. In contrast, for multivariate prediction, a single model was developed to simultaneously predict the inflows of both the BB and SK dams facilitating the integrated decision–making processes. Across all prediction scenarios, ML– and DL–based models demonstrated superior performances in predicting daily reservoir inflows for BB and SK dams compared to monthly predictions, achieving NSE values of 0.86 and 0.77, respectively. Since modeling with LSTM algorithm can effectively handle larger datasets, this enables single multivariate prediction model to predict closer results to those individual univariate models performed by XGBoost and LSTM for BB and SK prediction. XGBoost models mostly outperformed LSTM when tested on the datasets for both daily and monthly univariate predictions. Among all prediction scenarios, underprediction of low reservoir inflows and overprediction of high reservoir inflows by both univariate and multivariate models had consistently existed. Therefore, extracting specific and informative insights from the results of each model type, forecasting horizon, and algorithms used can significantly enhance decision–making support for both real–time reservoir operation and long–term reservoir management planning.