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Sensors prioritisation for hydrological forecasting based on interpretable machine learning

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Manuel HerreraORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

The digitalisation of the hydrological sector introduces new challenges related to IoT network implementation, extensive data management, and real-time analysis while offering significant opportunities to improve hydrological forecasts. Reliable information is crucial for managing hydrogeological risks and optimising water usage, particularly in the current era of climate change, marked by frequent and severe extreme events such as intense precipitation and prolonged droughts. This study aims to enhance short-term hydrological predictions by prioritising sensors based on interpretable machine learning. We propose an evaluation framework that involves tuning machine learning-based hydrological models for different horizons, applying leave-one-out cross-validation to simulate sensor failures and evaluate their significance, and defining sensor priority levels. Conducted in the South Tyrol watershed (northern Italy), this study uses data from streamflow gauges and weather stations. The results show that specific sensors significantly impact forecasting accuracy, and prioritisation improves the reliability of hydrological predictions. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining critical sensors and provide a data-driven methodology for optimising resource allocation in monitoring system maintenance, ultimately enhancing the robustness of hydrological forecasting and risk mitigation strategies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Menapace A, Ferreira Rodrigues A, Dalla Torre D, Larcher M, Herrera M, Brentan BM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Hydrology

Year: 2025

Volume: 663

Issue: Part A

Print publication date: 01/12/2025

Online publication date: 08/09/2025

Acceptance date: 01/08/2025

Date deposited: 08/09/2025

ISSN (print): 0022-1694

ISSN (electronic): 1879-2707

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134015

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134015

ePrints DOI: 10.57711/mg93-xk96

Data Access Statement: Data will be made available on request.


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