Flow in small mountain and plains streams is dependent on many factors such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, topography, and geology.
The culmination of this work is now available in a new report, "A Machine Learning Approach to Modeling Streamflow with Sparse Data in Ungaged Watersheds on the Wyoming Range, Wyoming, 2012–17".
In order to understand why some streams flow perennially and why some are intermittent in an area that had little streamflow information, a new approach was needed that incorporated many different variables in a continuous geospatial design.
Quarterly streamflow data were collected at 25 sites (shown in red, right) in three small drainage basins (Dry Piney, Fogarty, and South Beaver Creeks) on the eastern side of the Wyoming Range since June 2015. Variables that affect streamflow (streamflow drivers), such as geology, topography of the stream channel, faults, precipitation, and snowpack have been assembled into a geospatial model, and statistical analyses currently underway will allow an understanding of the most important drivers of streamflow in these small basins.
These insights will help our USGS/University of Wyoming co-investigators interpret the aquatic species distribution data, as well as describe mechanisms of sustaining small streams in the upper parts of watersheds. The new methodology may provide a framework to analyze other watersheds, in particular small headwater basins, where streamflow data do not exist. Many small streams such as these can be critical for survival of native species, and increasing our understanding of what controls streamflow will support resource management decisions in the study area.
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The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)
A machine learning approach to modeling streamflow with sparse data in ungaged watersheds on the Wyoming Range, Wyoming, 2012–17
- Overview
Flow in small mountain and plains streams is dependent on many factors such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, topography, and geology.
The culmination of this work is now available in a new report, "A Machine Learning Approach to Modeling Streamflow with Sparse Data in Ungaged Watersheds on the Wyoming Range, Wyoming, 2012–17".
In order to understand why some streams flow perennially and why some are intermittent in an area that had little streamflow information, a new approach was needed that incorporated many different variables in a continuous geospatial design.
The 25 small stream sites used for the geospatial model are shown as red dots on the map. (Public domain.) Quarterly streamflow data were collected at 25 sites (shown in red, right) in three small drainage basins (Dry Piney, Fogarty, and South Beaver Creeks) on the eastern side of the Wyoming Range since June 2015. Variables that affect streamflow (streamflow drivers), such as geology, topography of the stream channel, faults, precipitation, and snowpack have been assembled into a geospatial model, and statistical analyses currently underway will allow an understanding of the most important drivers of streamflow in these small basins.
These insights will help our USGS/University of Wyoming co-investigators interpret the aquatic species distribution data, as well as describe mechanisms of sustaining small streams in the upper parts of watersheds. The new methodology may provide a framework to analyze other watersheds, in particular small headwater basins, where streamflow data do not exist. Many small streams such as these can be critical for survival of native species, and increasing our understanding of what controls streamflow will support resource management decisions in the study area.
Back to main Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative: Water Resources page
- Science
See all the work that the WLCI project is doing throughout the USGS
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses effects of land-use and climate changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. In partnership with twelve Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, and non-governmental organizations– FORT and ten other USGS centers are conducting dozens of integrated science projects to assess the status of Southwest Wyoming’s natural...Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)
The WLCI is a long-term science based effort to enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats at a landscape scale in Southwest Wyoming, while facilitating responsible development. - Publications
A machine learning approach to modeling streamflow with sparse data in ungaged watersheds on the Wyoming Range, Wyoming, 2012–17
Scant availability of streamflow data can impede the utility of streamflow as a variable in ecological models of aquatic and terrestrial species, especially when studying small streams in watersheds that lack streamgages. Streamflow data at fine resolution and broad extent were needed by collaborators for ecological research on small streams in several ungaged watersheds of southwestern Wyoming, wAuthorsRyan R. McShane, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller