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Brandon Sansom, PhD

Dr. Brandon Sansom is a Research Engineer at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

Brandon has extensive experience in biophysical hydrodynamic transport phenomena. His academic background combines Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology with a Doctorate in water resources engineering. His most recent job was with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, New York. He will be working initially on several projects including the collaboration on eDNA transport related to native mussels and aspects of pallid sturgeon age-0 dispersal.

Professional Experience

  • 2020 Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, NY

  • 2020 Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, NY

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, University at Buffalo - SUNY, 2019

  • M.S. Biology, University of Oklahoma, 2013

  • B.A. Biology, Washington and Jefferson College, 2011

Science and Products

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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services

Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services

Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
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image of eco-flume pump system

CERC Eco-flume

The CERC Eco-flume is a continuous-loop, racetrack style flume. It is housed in a 1,350 square-foot laboratory at CERC and will be used to study transport phenomena and biophysical processes in river environments.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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CERC Eco-flume

The CERC Eco-flume is a continuous-loop, racetrack style flume. It is housed in a 1,350 square-foot laboratory at CERC and will be used to study transport phenomena and biophysical processes in river environments.
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Female pallid sturgeon, PLS11-007, is released back into the Missouri River after an ultrasound evaluation

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Learn More
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Hydrologic technician Brian Anderson prepares to launch the Z-boat on the Current River

Physical Stream Dynamics and Native Mussel Habitats

Freshwater mussel conservation efforts depend on identifying habitat characteristics that are suitable for mussel reintroduction and restoration. CERC scientists are conducting research to understand how physical habitat dynamics affect the distribution of mussels and suitable habitat in streams and rivers.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Physical Stream Dynamics and Native Mussel Habitats

Freshwater mussel conservation efforts depend on identifying habitat characteristics that are suitable for mussel reintroduction and restoration. CERC scientists are conducting research to understand how physical habitat dynamics affect the distribution of mussels and suitable habitat in streams and rivers.
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USGS

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Learn More
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The rhodamine-WT dye is injected in the river uniformly across the channel.

River-Corridor Habitat Dynamics

River-Corridor Habitat Dynamics research seeks to improve the scientific basis for ecological restoration of large rivers. Emphasis is placed on understanding how hydrologic and geomorphic characteristics combine to create dynamic habitats for native and exotic fauna and flora.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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River-Corridor Habitat Dynamics

River-Corridor Habitat Dynamics research seeks to improve the scientific basis for ecological restoration of large rivers. Emphasis is placed on understanding how hydrologic and geomorphic characteristics combine to create dynamic habitats for native and exotic fauna and flora.
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USGS

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
link

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Learn More
link
Female pallid sturgeon, PLS11-007, is released back into the Missouri River after an ultrasound evaluation

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
link

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.
Learn More
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Animation showing three multibeam echosounder surveys of the Missouri River on July 15, 2015

Pallid Sturgeon Habitat Dynamics

CERC scientists apply advanced measurement and modeling approaches to quantifying habitats in large rivers. Our research has been applied to improving the understanding of the reproductive ecology of the endangered pallid sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River.
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Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Pallid Sturgeon Habitat Dynamics

CERC scientists apply advanced measurement and modeling approaches to quantifying habitats in large rivers. Our research has been applied to improving the understanding of the reproductive ecology of the endangered pallid sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River.
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Water Quality Data from the Clinton River watershed near Detroit, MI

This data release contains water quality data collected in the field during an in-situ mussel exposure. We collected dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and water depth data using a sensor silo to assess habitat conditions for a potential mussel restoration. Additionally, we collected particle count data to quantify food availability for mussels and water quality data...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

One-dimensional hydraulic and environmental DNA transport models for the Wallens Bend reach of the Clinch River, near Kyles Ford, Tennessee

This dataset includes the one-dimensional HEC-RAS model calibration files and simulation input and output files for the Wallens Bend (WB) reach on the Clinch River near Kyles Ford, Tennessee. Simulation results were used as input for environmental DNA transport models.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Detection of exogenous lake trout and endogenous spectaclecase DNA in the Big Piney River from an experimental release of lake trout slurry to study eDNA transport, September 2023 (ver.1.1, May 2025)

This dataset includes eDNA concentrations of water samples from an experimental release of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) slurry used to analyze eDNA transport in the Big Piney River, Missouri. The spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) was also included as a target species due to the proximity of a known spectaclecase population at the slurry release site. The slurry, a frozen block...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Hyperspectral image transects and field measurements of reflectance, visible dye concentration, and flow velocity acquired during a tracer experiment on the Missouri River near Lexington, MO, on May 11, 2024

This data release includes several types of remotely sensed data and field measurements acquired during a tracer experiment performed on the Missouri River near Lexington, Missouri, on May 11, 2024. One of the primary goals of this study was to assess the feasibility of inferring concentrations of a visible dye (Rhodamine WT) in a large, highly turbid natural river channel using data...
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Water Resources Mission Area

Supporting files for a Langrangian particle tracking model evaluation of sediment exposure and burial for freshwater mussels

This project contains field data and supporting files for a Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) model at a representative reach on the Osage River, Missouri. Field datasets include a topobathymetric digital elevation model (DEM) for a 5-km reach of the Osage River, water surface elevation profiles, and velocity data collected with acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). Channel...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Flow, turbulence, and bathymetric measurements of the Missouri River at Searcys Bend, near Huntsdale, Missouri September 16, 2021

This dataset includes measurements of flow, turbulence, and bathymetry generated from multibeam bathymetry for a short reach of the Missouri River at Searcys Bend (SB) near Huntsdale, Missouri. Flow and turbulence were characterized using a Signature 1000 mounted on an anchored moving boat and an Aquadopp mounted on a tripod near the bed. Repeat bathymetric measurements were made in...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Supporting files for particle tracking simulations of the May 5, 2021 dye release experiment on the Missouri River at Searcys Bend, near Columbia, Missouri

This project contains data and supporting files from hydrodynamic and particle tracking models of the Missouri River at Searcys Bend developed in conjunction with an experimental dye release at the study site on March 5, 2021. The main objectives of this effort were to develop a hydrodynamic model using topographic and flow data collected in the field for subsequent use in a particle...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Remotely sensed data and field measurements for mapping visible dye concentrations during a tracer experiment on the Missouri River near Columbia, MO, May 5, 2021

This data release includes field spectra, UAS-based RGB videos, and digital orthophotography acquired from a manned fixed-wing aircraft, as well as in situ measurements of turbidity and Rhodamine WT dye concentration acquired during a tracer experiment performed on the Missouri River near Columbia, Missouri, on May 5, 2021. One of the primary goals of this tracer experiment was to assess...
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Water Resources Mission Area, National Innovation Center

2017 Yellowstone River Dye-Trace Experiment

Data consist of geolocation, temperature, turbidity, time, and dye concentrations collected at four downstream locations from Rhodamine WT dye injection point on Yellowstone River in June 2017
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Detection and transport of environmental DNA from two federally endangered mussels

Environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a novel approach to supplement traditional surveys and provide increased spatial and temporal information on species detection, and it can be especially beneficial for detecting at risk or threatened species with minimal impact on the target species. The transport of eDNA in lotic environments is an important component in providing more informed...
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Brandon James Sansom, Dannise Vannesa Ruiz-Ramos, Nathan Thompson, Maura O Roberts, Zachary Taylor, Katie Ortiz, Jess W. Jones, Catherine A. Richter, Katy E. Klymus
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Hyperspectral Image Transects during Transient Events in Rivers (HITTER): Framework development and application to a tracer experiment on the Missouri River, USA

Rivers convey a broad range of materials, such as sediment, nutrients, and contaminants. Much of this transport can occur during or immediately after an episodic, pulsed event like a flood or an oil spill. Understanding the flow processes that influence the motion of these substances is important for managing water resources and conserving aquatic ecosystems. This study introduces a new...
Authors
Carl J. Legleiter, Victoria Mary Scholl, Brandon James Sansom, Matthew Alexander Burgess
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

A model for evaluation of sediment exposure and burial for freshwater mussels from heavy particle sedimentation

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are an ecologically important faunal group. Excessive sediments, both in suspended and deposited formats, are believed to have negative effects on survival of freshwater mussels. However, there is a lack of quantitative tools for assessing the impact of abrupt and excessive sedimentation on freshwater mussel habitats. This gap in knowledge poses...
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Binbin Wang, Brandon James Sansom, Wenyu Zhu, James L. Kunz, Christopher M. Barnhart, Henry Brown, Stephen E. McMurray, Andrew D. Roberts, Christopher Shulse, Caleb Knerr, Kathleen Trauth, Jeffery Steevens, Baolin Deng
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Performance evaluation of a channel rehabilitation project on the Lower Missouri River and implications for the dispersal of larval pallid sturgeon

In the Lower Missouri River, extensive channel modifications have altered hydraulic and morphologic conditions and reduced the river's ecological integrity. One species that has been adversely affected by these changes is the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). Mainstem dams on the Missouri River restrict the upstream migration of adults and limit the downstream dispersal of larvae...
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Brandon James Sansom, Bruce Call, Carl J. Legleiter, Robert B. Jacobson
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Turbulence near a sandbar island in the lower Missouri River

River turbulence is spatially variable due to interactions between morphology of rivers and physical mechanics of flowing water. Understanding the variation of turbulence in rivers is important for characterizing transport processes of soluble and particulate materials in these systems. We present an exploratory effort to understand ecologically relevant flow patterns using measurements...
Authors
Geng Li, Caroline M. Elliott, Bruce Call, Brandon James Sansom, Robert B. Jacobson, Binbin Wang
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Gains and gaps in knowledge surrounding freshwater mollusk ecosystem services

Ecosystems provide essential services to people including food, water, climate regulation, and aesthetic experiences. Biodiversity can enhance and stabilize ecosystem function and the resulting services natural systems provide. Freshwater mollusks are a diverse group that provide a variety of ecosystem services through their feeding habits (e.g., filter feeding, grazing), top-down and...
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Carla L. Atkinson, Garrett W. Hopper, Danielle A. Kreeger, Jonathan Lopez, Alexa N Maine, Brandon James Sansom, Astrid Schwalb, Caryn C. Vaughn
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Remote sensing of visible dye concentrations during a tracer experiment on a large, turbid river

Understanding dispersion in rivers is critical for numerous applications, such as characterizing larval drift for endangered fish species and responding to spills of hazardous materials. Injecting a visible dye into the river can yield insight on dispersion processes, but conventional field instrumentation yields limited data on variations in dye concentration over time at a few, fixed...
Authors
Carl J. Legleiter, Brandon James Sansom, Robert B. Jacobson
By
Water Resources Mission Area

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