Roy Sando is a remote sensing and GIS specialist working with the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center and is based out of Helena, Montana. He started working with the USGS in 2011 after getting his Master's degree in Geography at Kansas State University (2011). Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor's degree, majoring in both Geography and GIS, at South Dakota State University (2008).
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
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
The Implications of Stream Fragmentation for Climate Change Resilience of Northern Prairie Fishes
Development of a Surface Water Index of Permanence (SWIPe) Database to Assess Surface Water Availability for Ecohydrological Refugia
Using Satellite Imagery to Estimate Consumptive Water Use from Irrigated Lands in the Milk River Basin, United States and Canada
Building a framework to compute continuous grids of basin characteristics for the conterminous United States
Geospatial Research and Development to Understand Hydrologic Processes
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Development of Recommended Practices and Workflow for Publishing Digital Data through ScienceBase for Dynamic Visualization
Identifying Resilient Headwater Streams to Mitigate Impacts of Future Drought in the Northwest
Science and Products
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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 change. TheThe 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 species. This pDevelopment 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 will be genUsing 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, particularly inGeospatial Research and Development to Understand Hydrologic Processes
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.Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
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. PROSPER is a project initiated to better understand what causes these fluctuations in...Development of Recommended Practices and Workflow for Publishing Digital Data through ScienceBase for Dynamic Visualization
The purpose of this project was to document processes for USGS scientists to organize and share data using ScienceBase, and to provide an example interactive mapping application to display those data. Data and maps from Chase and others (2016a, b) were used for the example interactive maps. Principal Investigator : Katherine J Chase, Andy Bock, Thomas R Sando Accomplishments The accomplishmentIdentifying Resilient Headwater Streams to Mitigate Impacts of Future Drought in the Northwest
Streams are classified as perennial (flowing uninterrupted, year-round) or intermittent (flowing part of the year) or ephemeral (flowing only during rainfall events). The classifications of “streamflow permanence” were primarily established in the middle 20th century and are often outdated and inaccurate today if they were not adjusted for changes in land use, wildfires, or climate.Understanding w... - Data
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