Careers in Hydrology

Hydrology is the science of the movement of water through the atmosphere, on the land surface, and underground. It includes the study of the physical, chemical, and biological interaction of water with the rocks and minerals of the Earth, as well as its critical interaction with living organisms.

Hydrologists work on projects as varied as the collection and analysis of water-related data; soil erosion; drought and flood analysis; water chemistry; sediment transport; river channel development; watershed (basin) management; groundwater resource evaluation; waste disposal; computer modeling; environmental protection; ecosystem studies; and construction of dams and roadways. Hydrologists find career opportunities in private business and industry; consulting firms; local, state, and federal agencies; agriculture; forestry; academia; and research-related institutions.

Water management issues, whether related to availability of water or the protection of water quality, have evolved to a more comprehensive view of the relationship between land use and water use. Hydrologists play a key role through fundamental data collection and analysis, resource evaluation, and participation in developing regional or watershed water resource management plans.

Academic preparation for a career in hydrology should include mathematics and science in high school. At the university level, hydrology courses are usually taught in the geology, geography, or civil engineering departments. In addition to these disciplines, academic training in biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science is desirable. Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in hydrology. The completion of a graduate degree in hydrology will continue to offer the greatest career opportunities.

see also Chemical Analysis of Water; Data, Databases, and Decision-Support Systems; Drought Management; Ecology, Fresh-Water; Erosion and Sedimentation; Floodplain Management; Groundwater; Groundwater Supplies, Exploration for; Hydrogeologic Mapping; Lake Health, Assessing; Modeling Groundwater Flow and Transport; Modeling Streamflow; Stream Hydrology.

Dennis O. Nelson

Bibliography

Doyle, Kevin, Tanya Stubbs, and Sam Heizen. The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the Twenty-First Century. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1998.

Internet Resources

Careers in Hydrology. Universities Council on Water Resources. <http://www.uwin.siu.edu/ucowr/hydro/h13.html>.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: Environmental Scientists and Geoscientists. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos050.htm>.