Roy Sando

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,