Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed
Roy Sando
Roy Sando is a Supervisory Research Physical Scientist working with the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center in Helena, Montana. He started working with the USGS in 2011 after getting a Master's degree in Geography at Kansas State University (2011). Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor's degree in both Geography and GIS at South Dakota State University (2008).
Roy's research interests include understanding and modeling the mechanisms of streamflow permanence, using data mining techniques to develop novel predictors of streamflow permanence and other hydrologic phenomena, using remote sensing techniques to estimate consumptive water use from irrigation, and exploring new ways to visualize geospatial data.
Key projects Roy has worked on include:
- PRObability of Streamflow PERmanence (PROSPER)
- Primary Investigator – Develop predictive models to estimate the annual probability that a particular location along streams in the Pacific Northwest will retain year-round streamflow.
- Assessment of water use associated with unconventional oil and gas development
- Task Lead – Worked as part of the modeling team to build and publish a conceptual model for quantifying water use associated with unconventional oil and gas. Additionally, constructed statistical models to predict water use associated with unconventional oil and gas under varying conditions.
- Channel-width regression equations
- Task Lead –Develop statistical equations to predict flood frequencies at ungaged locations using remotely-sensed channel width characteristics.
- National Groundwater Availability Studies spatial data archiving
- Team member – Review spatial datasets associated with groundwater availability studies and prepare them for publication
- Spatial analysis of nutrient inputs to Fish Creek watershed, Wyoming
- Task Lead – Compile and conduct spatial analysis on datasets representing sources of nutrient inputs. Create a grid of nutrient input intensities
- Salish-Kootenai College GIS/remote sensing training
- Primary Investigator – Develop training materials for introductory through advanced GIS courses at the Salish-Kootenai College
- Estimating streamflow at ungaged locations using flood frequency regressions
- Task Lead – Develop regression equations for use in determining streamflow and flood frequency estimates at ungaged locations throughout Montana and surrounding area
- Eastern Montana future fisheries modeling
- Task Lead – Estimate streamflow at ungaged fish sampling sites throughout eastern Montana for current and future climate scenarios
- Williston and Powder River (WaPR) Basin groundwater availability
- GIS specialist for project – Major tasks included a primary role in building and visualizing the 3-dimensional hydrogeologic framework, estimating unit boundaries based on geospatial statistical analyses, and organizing and archiving multiple datasets
- Smith River watershed hydrologic budget
- Task Lead – Use remote sensing techniques to estimate evapotranspiration in the Smith River watershed of central Montana
- Predicting Alpine Headwater Stream Intermittency
- Task Lead – Collect and analyze environmental, geological,
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
Using Remote Sensing to Understand Water Use in the Milk River Basin
The U.S. and Canada share water from the Milk River that is used to support agricultural irrigation, drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat. To help managers make more informed decisions about how to divide the water between the countries, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists used satellite images and a computer model. This model provides monthly and annual estimates of actual...
Streamflow Permanence in the Pacific Northwest
Not all rivers and streams flow year-round. Understanding when and where streams flow or go dry is critical for managing land use, water quality, and water availability on landscapes. The USGS and partners are studying streamflow permanence in the Pacific Northwest. We are gathering data, developing new models, and providing data visualization and outreach tools.
Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish...
Mapping Habitat Connectivity and Climate Refugia in Headwater Ecosystems to Support Amphibian Conservation
Forests in the Pacific Northwest support an extensive network of headwater streams and critical habitats for over 50 amphibian species, but face challenges from historical resource extraction, forest management, and climate change. Researchers supported by this Northwest CASC project will identify and map climate refugia to guide conservation strategies for at-risk amphibians, producing...
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Mountain meadows in the western United States provide key habitats for many plant and wildlife species, many of which rely exclusively on these areas. Mountain meadows are also treasured by the public and provide beautiful areas to view wildflowers and wildlife on public lands such as national parks. However, mountain ecosystems are expected to be disproportionately affected by climate...
The Implications of Stream Fragmentation for Climate Change Resilience of Northern Prairie Fishes
Dry stream sections are characteristic of most prairie streams. Native fish are highly adapted to variable environments, using refuge habitats (e.g., remaining wet stream fragments) to recolonize areas after seasonal drying. However, dams and other barriers can prevent recolonization of seasonally-dry stream sections habitats known to be critical spawning and rearing areas for many...
Development of a Surface Water Index of Permanence (SWIPe) Database to Assess Surface Water Availability for Ecohydrological Refugia
Surface-water availability has been identified as one of the biggest issues facing society in the 21st century. Where and when water is on the landscape can have profound impacts on the economy, wildlife behavior, recreational use, industrial practices, energy development, and many other aspects of life, society, and the environment. Projections indicate that surface-water availability...
Using Satellite Imagery to Estimate Consumptive Water Use from Irrigated Lands in the Milk River Basin, United States and Canada
The U.S. Geological Survey, with the support of the International Joint Commission, and in cooperation with Alberta Environment and Parks, Blackfeet Nation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, is leading a project that should improve information available to apportion water between Canada and the United States in the St. Mary and...
Building a framework to compute continuous grids of basin characteristics for the conterminous United States
The proposed work will create a seamless pilot dataset of continuous basin characteristics (for example upstream average precipitation, elevation, or dominant land cover type) for the conterminous United States. Basin characteristic data are necessary for training or parameterizing statistical, machine learning, and physical models, and for making predictions across the landscape...
StreamStats in Montana and Wyoming
StreamStats is a digital, map-based tool designed to provide information about streamflow and the upstream watershed of any selected point on a stream. The tool can assist in water resources planning and management and support engineering and design projects. StreamStats is available in both Montana and Wyoming.
Geospatial Research and Development to Understand Hydrologic Processes
Geospatial Research and Development (GeoRAD) advances understanding of hydrologic processes by using tools and technologies to map, analyze, and visualize water-related data to better understand how water moves and behaves in the environment. Like all natural phenomena, hydrological phenomena occur in specific locations. Remote sensing, GIS, and geostatistical methods are tools that can be used to...
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Rivers and streams are constantly changing. Streamflows can change throughout the year and between years due to snowmelt, precipitation, diversions, and return flows. For many streams, these fluctuations determine whether a stream has year-round flow or not. PRObability of Streamflow PERmanence (PROSPER) is a project initiated to better understand what causes these fluctuations in different...
Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed
Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
Using Remote Sensing to Understand Water Use in the Milk River Basin
The U.S. and Canada share water from the Milk River that is used to support agricultural irrigation, drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat. To help managers make more informed decisions about how to divide the water between the countries, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists used satellite images and a computer model. This model provides monthly and annual estimates of actual...
Streamflow Permanence in the Pacific Northwest
Not all rivers and streams flow year-round. Understanding when and where streams flow or go dry is critical for managing land use, water quality, and water availability on landscapes. The USGS and partners are studying streamflow permanence in the Pacific Northwest. We are gathering data, developing new models, and providing data visualization and outreach tools.
Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish...
Mapping Habitat Connectivity and Climate Refugia in Headwater Ecosystems to Support Amphibian Conservation
Forests in the Pacific Northwest support an extensive network of headwater streams and critical habitats for over 50 amphibian species, but face challenges from historical resource extraction, forest management, and climate change. Researchers supported by this Northwest CASC project will identify and map climate refugia to guide conservation strategies for at-risk amphibians, producing...
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Mountain meadows in the western United States provide key habitats for many plant and wildlife species, many of which rely exclusively on these areas. Mountain meadows are also treasured by the public and provide beautiful areas to view wildflowers and wildlife on public lands such as national parks. However, mountain ecosystems are expected to be disproportionately affected by climate...
The Implications of Stream Fragmentation for Climate Change Resilience of Northern Prairie Fishes
Dry stream sections are characteristic of most prairie streams. Native fish are highly adapted to variable environments, using refuge habitats (e.g., remaining wet stream fragments) to recolonize areas after seasonal drying. However, dams and other barriers can prevent recolonization of seasonally-dry stream sections habitats known to be critical spawning and rearing areas for many...
Development of a Surface Water Index of Permanence (SWIPe) Database to Assess Surface Water Availability for Ecohydrological Refugia
Surface-water availability has been identified as one of the biggest issues facing society in the 21st century. Where and when water is on the landscape can have profound impacts on the economy, wildlife behavior, recreational use, industrial practices, energy development, and many other aspects of life, society, and the environment. Projections indicate that surface-water availability...
Using Satellite Imagery to Estimate Consumptive Water Use from Irrigated Lands in the Milk River Basin, United States and Canada
The U.S. Geological Survey, with the support of the International Joint Commission, and in cooperation with Alberta Environment and Parks, Blackfeet Nation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, is leading a project that should improve information available to apportion water between Canada and the United States in the St. Mary and...
Building a framework to compute continuous grids of basin characteristics for the conterminous United States
The proposed work will create a seamless pilot dataset of continuous basin characteristics (for example upstream average precipitation, elevation, or dominant land cover type) for the conterminous United States. Basin characteristic data are necessary for training or parameterizing statistical, machine learning, and physical models, and for making predictions across the landscape...
StreamStats in Montana and Wyoming
StreamStats is a digital, map-based tool designed to provide information about streamflow and the upstream watershed of any selected point on a stream. The tool can assist in water resources planning and management and support engineering and design projects. StreamStats is available in both Montana and Wyoming.
Geospatial Research and Development to Understand Hydrologic Processes
Geospatial Research and Development (GeoRAD) advances understanding of hydrologic processes by using tools and technologies to map, analyze, and visualize water-related data to better understand how water moves and behaves in the environment. Like all natural phenomena, hydrological phenomena occur in specific locations. Remote sensing, GIS, and geostatistical methods are tools that can be used to...
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Rivers and streams are constantly changing. Streamflows can change throughout the year and between years due to snowmelt, precipitation, diversions, and return flows. For many streams, these fluctuations determine whether a stream has year-round flow or not. PRObability of Streamflow PERmanence (PROSPER) is a project initiated to better understand what causes these fluctuations in different...
Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed
Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed
Headwaters of Clear Creek, Lower Clark Fork watershed