Undergraduate Researcher return to map return to student search
Hometown:
Buhl,
ID
US
(Twin Falls County)
School:
College of Southern Idaho
Undergraduate student
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Funded by EPSCoR Award:
ICREWS | OIA-2242769
Research Location(s):
College of Southern Idaho
COUNTIES: Twin Falls
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S): District 24
Research Statement:
I’m particularly interested in utilizing geospatial tools and conducting hands-on fieldwork to help protect and better understand aquatic ecosystems, especially in agricultural areas where water quality is most important. Through drone surveys, RTK-GPS mapping, and open-source photogrammetry, I’ve been looking into streamflow dynamics and how we can visualize them more effectively. It’s exciting to see how technology can bring more understanding to environmental questions and help solve real-world problems, especially when you’re out in the field, making it all come together. During my SARE project at the College of Southern Idaho, I got to explore how drone imagery and 3D modeling can reveal changes in stream channels and flow patterns. That experience fueled my interest to keep collecting data and turning it into visuals that resonate with both scientists and local communities. I'm looking forward to continuing that work as I move into GIS-focused studies at the University of Idaho.
Research Impact:
The streamflow analysis project at the College of Southern Idaho explored the complex interactions between 1) Drone Photogrammetry, 2) stream channel morphology, and 3) hydrological shifts across rural watersheds. By using drone imagery and RTK-GPS mapping to create high-resolution topographic models, the study aimed to improve the accuracy of streamflow quantification in environments influenced heavily by human activity. The potential impacts of this research extend to agricultural producers, conservation groups, and water managers across Idaho. Enhanced stream assessments can lead to more informed land management decisions, better irrigation strategies, and stronger protections for aquatic habitats. In a state where both agriculture and ecosystem health are tightly linked, this work supports sustainable practices that benefit communities, landscapes, and water systems.