Geospatial Research and Development to Understand Hydrologic Processes
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By Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
March 20, 2018
All natural phenomena have a spatial component. Remote sensing, GIS, and geostatistical methods can be used to evaluate the spatial components of hydrologic phenomena and understand characteristics, such as water quality, streamflow, and hydraulics.
Studies completed and currently in progress by the GeoRAD team include:
- Using satellite imagery to estimate consumptive water use from irrigated lands in the Milk River Basin, United States and Canada
- Using Flow-Conditioned Parameter Grids as a way of storing the upstream average of datasets, such as precipitation or land cover type, for all points on the landscape.
- Determining the probability of streamflow permanence using a cailbrated geospatial model
- Using basin characteristics to estimate peak-flow frequencies at ungaged streams
- Determining streamflow drivers for small streams in the Wyoming Range
- Estimating nutrient input into a small watershed
- Building a three-dimensional geohydrologic framework for the Williston and Powder River Basins
Below are geospatial data associated with this project.
Streamflow Observation Points in the Pacific Northwest, 1977-2016
This dataset includes spatial locations in the Pacific Northwest where streamflow observations were recorded. For the purpose of this investigation, all streamflow observations were converted into wet or dry indicator values.
Estimated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Input to Fish Creek Watershed, Teton County, Wyoming
Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant and animal growth and nourishment, but the overabundance of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in water can cause adverse health and ecological effects. It is generally accepted that major increases in the primary production of surface-water bodies due to high inputs of nutrients is now the most important polluting...
Below are publications associated with this project.
Predicting alpine headwater stream intermittency: a case study in the northern Rocky Mountains
This investigation used climatic, geological, and environmental data coupled with observational stream intermittency data to predict alpine headwater stream intermittency. Prediction was made using a random forest classification model. Results showed that the most important variables in the prediction model were snowpack persistence, represented by average snow extent from March through...
Authors
Roy Sando, Kyle W. Blasch
Using remote sensing to characterize and compare evapotranspiration from different irrigation regimes in the Smith River Watershed of central Montana
According to the 2005 U.S. Geological Survey national water use compilation, irrigation is the second largest use of fresh water in the United States, accounting for 37%, or 484.48 million cubic meters per day, of total freshwater withdrawal. Accurately estimating the amount of water withdrawals and actual consumptive water use (the difference between water withdrawals and return flow)...
Authors
Roy Sando, Rodney R. Caldwell, Kyle W. Blasch
Estimating current and future streamflow characteristics at ungaged sites, central and eastern Montana, with application to evaluating effects of climate change on fish populations
A common statistical procedure for estimating streamflow statistics at ungaged locations is to develop a relational model between streamflow and drainage basin characteristics at gaged locations using least squares regression analysis; however, least squares regression methods are parametric and make constraining assumptions about the data distribution. The random forest regression...
Authors
Roy Sando, Katherine J. Chase
Estimated nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the Fish Creek watershed, Teton County, Wyoming, 2009–15
Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant and animal growth and nourishment, but the overabundance of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in water can cause adverse health and ecological effects. It is generally accepted that increased primary production of surface-water bodies because of high inputs of nutrients is now the most important polluting effect in...
Authors
Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Roy Sando, Michael J. MacDonald, Carlin Girard
Methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in Montana based on data through water year 2011: Chapter F in Montana StreamStats
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, completed a study to update methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in Montana based on peak-flow data at streamflow-gaging stations through water year 2011. The methods allow estimation of peak-flow frequencies (that is, peak-flow magnitudes, in...
Authors
Roy Sando, Steven K. Sando, Peter McCarthy, DeAnn M. Dutton
Hydrogeologic framework of the uppermost principal aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins, United States and Canada
The glacial, lower Tertiary, and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins within the United States and Canada are the uppermost principal aquifer systems and most accessible sources of groundwater for these energy-producing basins. The glacial aquifer system covers the northeastern part of the Williston structural basin. The lower Tertiary and...
Authors
Joanna N. Thamke, Gary D. LeCain, Derek W. Ryter, Roy Sando, Andrew J. Long
All natural phenomena have a spatial component. Remote sensing, GIS, and geostatistical methods can be used to evaluate the spatial components of hydrologic phenomena and understand characteristics, such as water quality, streamflow, and hydraulics.
Studies completed and currently in progress by the GeoRAD team include:
- Using satellite imagery to estimate consumptive water use from irrigated lands in the Milk River Basin, United States and Canada
- Using Flow-Conditioned Parameter Grids as a way of storing the upstream average of datasets, such as precipitation or land cover type, for all points on the landscape.
- Determining the probability of streamflow permanence using a cailbrated geospatial model
- Using basin characteristics to estimate peak-flow frequencies at ungaged streams
- Determining streamflow drivers for small streams in the Wyoming Range
- Estimating nutrient input into a small watershed
- Building a three-dimensional geohydrologic framework for the Williston and Powder River Basins
Below are geospatial data associated with this project.
Streamflow Observation Points in the Pacific Northwest, 1977-2016
This dataset includes spatial locations in the Pacific Northwest where streamflow observations were recorded. For the purpose of this investigation, all streamflow observations were converted into wet or dry indicator values.
Estimated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Input to Fish Creek Watershed, Teton County, Wyoming
Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant and animal growth and nourishment, but the overabundance of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in water can cause adverse health and ecological effects. It is generally accepted that major increases in the primary production of surface-water bodies due to high inputs of nutrients is now the most important polluting...
Below are publications associated with this project.
Predicting alpine headwater stream intermittency: a case study in the northern Rocky Mountains
This investigation used climatic, geological, and environmental data coupled with observational stream intermittency data to predict alpine headwater stream intermittency. Prediction was made using a random forest classification model. Results showed that the most important variables in the prediction model were snowpack persistence, represented by average snow extent from March through...
Authors
Roy Sando, Kyle W. Blasch
Using remote sensing to characterize and compare evapotranspiration from different irrigation regimes in the Smith River Watershed of central Montana
According to the 2005 U.S. Geological Survey national water use compilation, irrigation is the second largest use of fresh water in the United States, accounting for 37%, or 484.48 million cubic meters per day, of total freshwater withdrawal. Accurately estimating the amount of water withdrawals and actual consumptive water use (the difference between water withdrawals and return flow)...
Authors
Roy Sando, Rodney R. Caldwell, Kyle W. Blasch
Estimating current and future streamflow characteristics at ungaged sites, central and eastern Montana, with application to evaluating effects of climate change on fish populations
A common statistical procedure for estimating streamflow statistics at ungaged locations is to develop a relational model between streamflow and drainage basin characteristics at gaged locations using least squares regression analysis; however, least squares regression methods are parametric and make constraining assumptions about the data distribution. The random forest regression...
Authors
Roy Sando, Katherine J. Chase
Estimated nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the Fish Creek watershed, Teton County, Wyoming, 2009–15
Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant and animal growth and nourishment, but the overabundance of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in water can cause adverse health and ecological effects. It is generally accepted that increased primary production of surface-water bodies because of high inputs of nutrients is now the most important polluting effect in...
Authors
Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Roy Sando, Michael J. MacDonald, Carlin Girard
Methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in Montana based on data through water year 2011: Chapter F in Montana StreamStats
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, completed a study to update methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in Montana based on peak-flow data at streamflow-gaging stations through water year 2011. The methods allow estimation of peak-flow frequencies (that is, peak-flow magnitudes, in...
Authors
Roy Sando, Steven K. Sando, Peter McCarthy, DeAnn M. Dutton
Hydrogeologic framework of the uppermost principal aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins, United States and Canada
The glacial, lower Tertiary, and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins within the United States and Canada are the uppermost principal aquifer systems and most accessible sources of groundwater for these energy-producing basins. The glacial aquifer system covers the northeastern part of the Williston structural basin. The lower Tertiary and...
Authors
Joanna N. Thamke, Gary D. LeCain, Derek W. Ryter, Roy Sando, Andrew J. Long