Wallace McKay

Associate Research Scientist, Hydrology, Emeritus

Phone

775-673-7384

E-Mail

Alan.McKay@dri.edu

Campus

Reno Campus

Division

Hydrologic Sciences

Professional Interests

Mr. McKay’s research experience reflects his interest in a broad range of hydrogeologic topics. Past research interests have included: hydrogeochemical investigations of thermal springs in southern Nevada; the application of surface geophysics to groundwater studies on atoll islands; and the application of petroleum exploration methodologies to hydrogeologic problems in the eastern Great Basin. Through an interagency agreement, Mr. McKay served as a technical consultant to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on the Division’s Underground Injection Control Program for one year. Mr. McKay is currently the project manager for research projects sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency which relate to nonpoint source pollution from agricultural and mining activities in western and northern Nevada. Mr. McKay received his Master’s Degree in Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada in 1991 and is currently a doctoral candidate in the University of Nevada, Reno Hydrological Sciences Program.

Research Areas

Hydrology of the Unsaturated Zone
Integrated Watershed System

Education

Degree	Institution	Area
M.S.	University of Nevada, Reno	Hydrogeology
B.S.	University of Nevada, Reno	Geology

Publications

2013

Naranjo, R. C., Pohll, G. M., Niswonger, R. G., Stone, M. C., McKay, W. A. (2013). Using heat as tracer to estimate spatially distributed Mean Residence Times in the hyporheic zone of a riffle-pool sequence, Water Resources Research, 49 (6), 3697-3711 , 10.1002/wrcr.20306

2012

Naranjo, R. C., Niswonger, R. G., Stone, M. C., Davis, C. J., McKay, W. A. (2012). The use of multi-objective calibration and regional sensitivity analysis in simulating hyporheic exchange, Water Resour. Res., 48, W01538, 10.1029/2011WR011179

Shope, C., Constantz, J. E., Cooper, C. A., McKay, W. A., Pohll, G. M., Reeves, D. M. (2012). Influence of a large fluvial island, streambed, and streambank on surface water-groundwater fluxes and water table dynamics, Water Resources Research, 10.1029/2011WR011564

2011

Naranjo, R. C., Niswonger, R. G., Stone, M. C., McKay, W. A., Davis, C. J. (2011). The development of a longitudinal 2D heat and flow model through the hyporheic zone, Water Resources Research

2009

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Pohll, G. M., Keita, M., McKay, W. A. (2009). Sustainability of ground water in Mali, West Africa, Environmental Geology, 58, 1441-1450, 10.1007/s00254-008-1646-9

2007

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Pohll, G. M., McKay, W. A. (2007). Groundwater resource sustainability in the Nabogo Basin of Ghana, West Africa, Journal of African Earth Sciences, 49, 61-70, 10.10116/j.jafrearsci.2007.06.004

Bohm, B., Thomas, J. M., Dahan, O., Ralston, J., McKay, W. A. (2007). Ground water chemistry evolution under unsaturated zone sulfate salt dissolution in a Great Basin lacustrine aquifer, western United States, Journal of American Water Resources Association

2006

Kish, S. M., Bartlett, J. A., Warwick, J. J., McKay, W. A., Fritsen, C. H. (2006). Long-term Dynamic Modeling Approach to Quantifying Attached Algal Growth and Associated Impacts on Dissolved Oyxgen in the Lower Truckee River, Nevada, Journal of Environmental Engineering, 132 (10), 1366-1375

2005

McKay, W. A. (2005). A Brief History of Ancient Pyramid Lake, Southwest Hydrology, 4, 3, 18-19

Sada, D. W., Brock, J. T., Fritsen, C. H., Rosamond, C. L., Shope, C., Benner, S. G., McKay, W. A. (2005). Baseline Hydrologic and Biological Monitoring, McCarran Ranch Restoration Project, Lower Truckee River, Nevada (2003-2004), DRI Report No. 41220

2004

Dana, G. L., Panorska, A., Susfalk, R. B., McGraw, D. S., McKay, W. A., Dornoo, M. (2004). Suspended Sediment and Turbidity Patterns in the Middle Truckee River, CA, DRI Report No. 41196

2001

Tracy, J., Humberstone, J. A., McKay, W. A. (2001). Potential Impacts of Water Banking on Water Quality and Hydrologic Conditions Within the Walker River Basin — Volumes I, II, III, and IV, DRI Report No. 41171

Pohll, G. M., McGraw, D. S., Ralson, J., Bohm, B., Thomas, J. M., McKay, W. A., Widmer, M., Minor, T. B., Lamorey, G., Dahan, O., Carroll, R. W., Cupp, K., Jacobson, E., McDonald, E. V., Stevick, E., Huntington, J. L. (2001). Evaluation of Groundwater and Solute Transport in the Fernley-Wadsworth Area, DRI Report No. 41173

1999

McKay, W. A., Zhan, H. (1999). A Solute Transport Model of Nitrate Occurrence in Washoe Valley, Nevada, 6, DRI Report No. 41162

1995

Minor, T. B., Russell, C. E., Chesley, M., Englin, J., Sander, P., Carter, J., Knowles, R., Acheampong, S., McKay, W. A. (1995). Application of Geographic Information System Technology to Water Well Siting in Ghana, West Africa: A Feasibility Study, DRI Report No. 41145

Cockrum, D., Warwick, J. J., McKay, W. A. (1995). Characterization of the Impact of Agricultural Activities on Water Quality in the Lower Truckee River, DRI Report No. 41147

1994

Petersen, R., Pohlmann, K. F., McKay, W. A. (1994). Final Documentation Washoe Valley Groundwater Model, 39, DRI Report No. 41138

1990

Chesley, M., McKay, W. A., McKenna, S. (1990). The 1988 Truckee River Water Quality Monitoring Project Report, DRI Report No. 41128

1989

McKay, W. A. (1989). Analysis of Groundwater Quality in New Washoe City, Nevada, 37, DRI Report No. 41120

1988

McKay, W. A., Kepper, J. (1988). Estimating Hydraulic Parameters Using Wildcat Oil and Gas Data: A Feasibility Study in East-Central Nevada, 48, DRI Report No. 41117

1983

McKay, W. A., Zimmerman, D. (1983). Hydrogeochemical Investigation of Thermal Springs in the Black Canyon – Hoover Dam Area, Nevada and Arizona, 40, DRI Report No. 41092

McKay, W. A., Zhan, H. (1983). Nitrate Occurrence and Transport Model in Washoe Valley, Nevada, DRI Report No. 41160

Conference Proceedings

2011

Johnson, Z. C., Schumer, R., Warwick, J. J., McKay, W. A. (2011). Hyporheic exchange in geomorphically distinct sections of the Truckee River, NV. AGU Fall Meeting: San Francisco

2010

Naranjo, R. C., Niswonger, R. G., Stone, M. C., McKay, W. A., Davis, C. J. (2010). Using Measurements of Heat and Pressure to Characterize Hyporheic Exchange through a Riffle-Pool Sequence in the Truckee River, NV. Presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. H32C-07

McKay, W. A. (2010). The West Africa Water Initiative: Lessons Learned for University-Based Researchers. Presented, as a Plenary Speaker, at the 2010 UCOWR Meeting in Seattle

McKay, W. A. (2010). The West Africa Water Initiative: Lessons Learned for University-Based Researchers. 2010 Summer UCOWR Meeting: Seattle, WA

2009

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Keita, M., McKay, W. A. (2009). Ground Water Level Monitoring in Mali and Ghana, West Africa – Ground Water Management Under Climate Change: Implications for Developing Countries. National Ground Water Association, Ground Water Summit: Tucson, New Mexico, April 22, 2009-April 22, 2009

2007

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Pohll, G. M., Keita, M., Apambire, W. B., McKay, W. A. (2007). Ground Water Resource Sustainability in the Bani Area of Mali: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Apambire, W. B., Keita, M., McKay, W. A. (2007). Groundwater Resource Sustainability in Mali. National Ground Water Association Groundwater Summit: Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 29, 2007-May 3, 2007

2006

Bohm, B., Thomas, J. M., Dahan, O., Ralston, J., McKay, W. A. (2006). Ground water chemistry evolution under unsaturated zone sulfate salt dissolution in a Great Basin lacustrine aquifer, western United States: San Francisco, CA

2005

Shope, C., Brock, J. T., Benner, S. G., McKay, W. A., Svetich, T., Brisbin, M. (2005). Baseline hydraulic relationship and water quality of the McCarran Ranch restoration: Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Apambire, W. B., Ayamsegna, J. A., McKay, W. A. (2005). Groundwater resource sustainability in the Nabogo Basin of Northern Ghana: San Antonio, Texas

Lutz, A. D., Thomas, J. M., Apambire, W. B., Ayamsegna, J., McKay, W. A. (2005). Groundwater resource sustainability in a small watershed in northern Ghana. National Groundwater Association: San Antonio, TX

2004

Warwick, J. J., Kish, S. M., Bartlett, J. A., McKay, W. A., Fritsen, C. H. (2004). Modeling linkages between groundwater, surface water, and periphyton-driven oxygen dynamics in the lower Truckee River, Nevada: Orlando, FL