This study investigates the efficiencies of machine learning models, including artificial neural network (ANN), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and random forest (RF), for reservoir water level forecasting in the Chungju Dam, South Korea. The models' efficiencies are assessed based on model efficiency indices and graphical comparison. The forecasting results of the models are dependent on lead times and the combination of input variables. For lead time t = 1 day, ANFIS1 and ANN6 models yield superior forecasting results to RF6 and GRNN6 models. For lead time t = 5 days, ANN1 and RF6 models produce better forecasting results than ANFIS1 and GRNN3 models. For lead time t = 10 days, ANN3 and RF1 models perform better than ANFIS3 and GRNN3 models. It is found that ANN model yields the best performance for all lead times, in terms of model efficiency and graphical comparison. These results indicate that the optimal combination of input variables and forecasting models depending on lead times should be applied in reservoir water level forecasting, instead of the single combination of input variables and forecasting models for all lead times.

The rainfall-runoff relationship is very difficult to predict because it is complicate factor affected by many temporal and spatial parameters of the basin. In recent, models which is based on artificial intelligent such as neural network, genetic algorithm fuzzy etc., are frequently used to predict discharge while stochastic or deterministic or empirical models are used in the past. However, the discharge data which are generally used for prediction as training and validation set are often estimated from rating curve which has potential error in its estimation that makes a problem in reliability. Therefore, in this study, water stage is predicted from antecedent rainfall and water stage data for short term using three models of neural network which trained by error back propagation algorithm and optimized by genetic algorithm and training error back propagation after it is optimized by genetic algorithm respectively. As the result, the model optimized by Genetic Algorithm gives the best forecasting ability which is not much decreased as the forecasting time increase. Moreover, the models using stage data only as the input data give better results than the models using precipitation data with stage data.