Sharon Bywater-Reyes

Sharon Bywater-Reyes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado, part of the College of Natural and Health Sciences. Her work bridges geoscience, hydrology, and environmental systems, with a strong emphasis on river dynamics and landscape evolution.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geosciences, University of Montana
• M.S. in Geology, University of Wyoming
• B.S. in Geology, Southern Oregon University
• B.A. in German, Southern Oregon University

Her research focuses on the interactions between hydrologic and geomorphic processes, particularly how riparian vegetation influences fluvial systems, sediment transport, and channel morphology. She integrates field observations, remote sensing (including LiDAR), and numerical modeling to study river systems in diverse settings, from the Andes to the Front Range of Colorado. Her work has important implications for river restoration, watershed management, and understanding the impacts of land use and climate change.

Her recent publications (2010–2020) reflect a consistent trajectory in fluvial geomorphology, with increasing focus on human and ecological impacts on sediment dynamics and streamflow. Key themes include the effects of forest harvesting, disease epidemics, and riparian vegetation on water and sediment fluxes in mountainous and temperate catchments.

While no scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her publications in high-impact journals such as Water Resources Research, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, and Geology indicate strong scholarly recognition.

She has advised or collaborated on research with several scientists and has ongoing field projects on the Little Thompson River and Cache la Poudre River at sites including River Bluffs Open Space, Poudre Learning Center, and Kingfisher Point Natural Area. There is no mention of grants or formal student advising in the text, but her active research portfolio suggests involvement in funded projects.

She maintains a research presence through fieldwork, data analysis, and publication, contributing to both academic knowledge and practical applications in river science and environmental management.