River flow forecast for reservoir management through neural networks

River flow forecasts are required to provide basic information for reservoir management in a multipurpose water system optimisation framework. An accurate prediction of flow rates in tributary streams is crucial to optimise the management of water resources considering extended time horizons. Moreover, runoff prediction is crucial in protection from water shortage and possible flood damages. In this paper, a neural approach is used to model the rainfall-runoff process when different time step durations have to be considered in reservoir management. Numerical comparisons with observed data are provided for runoff prediction in the Tirso basin at the S.Chiara section in Sardinia (Italy). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.