Ryan R. McShane
Ryan is a hydrologist with the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center.
His current research focuses on developing decision-support information and tools using geospatial analysis and machine learning models, from local to regional and national scales, for predicting water availability in streams experiencing extended and intensive drought (also used to model species distribution) and for predicting watershed-scale water use for multiple economic sectors, including energy development and food production.
Science and Products
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...
WLCI: Determining Streamflow Drivers in Wyoming Range Small Streams
Flow in small mountain and plains streams is dependent on many factors such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, topography, and geology.
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...
Estimating National Water Use Associated with Continuous Oil and Gas Development
Project Period: 2016-ongoing Cooperator: U.S. Geological Survey Water Availability and Use Science Program Project Chiefs: Ryan McShane and Jeremy McDowell
Science and Products
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...
WLCI: Determining Streamflow Drivers in Wyoming Range Small Streams
Flow in small mountain and plains streams is dependent on many factors such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, topography, and geology.
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...
Estimating National Water Use Associated with Continuous Oil and Gas Development
Project Period: 2016-ongoing Cooperator: U.S. Geological Survey Water Availability and Use Science Program Project Chiefs: Ryan McShane and Jeremy McDowell