Integrating geographic data and the SCS-CN method with LSTM networks for enhanced runoff forecasting in a complex mountain basin

Introduction: In complex mountain basins, hydrological forecasting poses a formidable challenge due to the intricacies of runoff generation processes and the limitations of available data. This study explores the enhancement of short-term runoff forecasting models through the utilization of long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. Methods: To achieve this, we employed feature engineering (FE) strategies, focusing on geographic data and the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method. Our investigation was conducted in a 3,390 km² basin, employing the GSMaP-NRT satellite precipitation product (SPP) to develop forecasting models with lead times of 1, 6, and 11 h. These lead times were selected to address the needs of near-real-time forecasting, flash flood prediction, and basin concentration time assessment, respectively. Results and discussion: Our findings demonstrate an improvement in the efficiency of LSTM forecasting models across all lead times, as indicated by Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency values of 0.93 (1 h), 0.77 (6 h), and 0.67 (11 h). Notably, these results are on par with studies relying on ground-based precipitation data. This methodology not only showcases the potential for advanced data-driven runoff models but also underscores the importance of incorporating available geographic information into precipitation-ungauged hydrological systems. The insights derived from this study offer valuable tools for hydrologists and researchers seeking to enhance the accuracy of hydrological forecasting in complex mountain basins.