WHAT IS HYDROLOGY?
Hydrology is the study of the properties, distribution and effects of water on the Earth's soil, rocks and atmosphere. It also encompasses the study of the hydrologic cycle of precipitation, runoff, infiltration, storage, and evaporation, including the physical, biological and chemical reaction of water with the earth and its relation to life.
Hydrologists use science and math to solve water-related problems, including problems of quantity, quality and availability. For example, they may work to find subsurface reservoirs to be used for public drinking water supplies or irrigation water for farms; they may be involved in flood control or soil erosion and sedimentation issues; or they may be involved in environmental protection efforts, such as cleaning up hazardous waste spills or locating the safest areas for disposal of waste.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Hydrology students can expect a strong emphasis in mathematics, statistics, geology, physics, computer sciences, chemistry and biology. Some programs also require an interdisciplinary background in other subjects - such as economics, public finance, environmental law, and government policy - to help experts in these fields to understand the implications of their work on hydrology. Specific course we've seen include:
- Aqueous Geochemistry
- Contaminant Transport
- Climatology
- Groundwater Hydraulics
- Vadose Zone Hydrology
- Soil Physics and Mechanics
- Water Resources Engineering
- Water Quality Analysis
- Sediment Transport and Channel Shapes
- Drought and Floods
- Modelling of Water Systems
- Land Use Change and Assessment
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Environmental Engineering
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Great Resources
on Hydrology
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- Hydrogeology
- Geophysics
- Geochemistry
- Geomorphology
- Soils and Nutrient Cycling
- Hydrothermal Systems
- Water Transport in Soils
- Geographic Information Systems
- Small Watershed Modeling
- Sediment Budgets
- Groundwater Pollution Assessment
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Hydrology graduates can expect to find career opportunities in private business, public agencies, academic and research institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Positions are likely to continue to be in demand, as water quality, supply and transport continue to be issues of concern, and graduates will find work with consulting firms, industry, environmental interest groups, the agricultural sector, government agencies, and research laboratories. Specific job titles we've seen include:
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Career Guidance
from EnviroEducation.com
 To get a complex environmental message across to the public, you need to keep it simple. Susan Seacrest, president of The Groundwater Foundation, shares her secrets on environmental communication in the field of hydrology. >>>
 Dr. Jean Bahr takes us inside her career in hydrogeology - scoping out the water trapped between rocks underground, cleaning it up, and delivering it to faucets worldwide. Click here to read more...
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- Water Quality Specialist or Analyst
- Wastewater Program Manager
- Industrial Compliance Technician
- Water-well Drilling Field Supervisor
- Oil and Gas Resource Development Investigator
- Hydrologic Power Technician
- Water Chemistry Laboratory Supervisor
- Watershed Specialist for nonprofit group
- Research Coordinator
- Sewage Manager
- Highway and Land Drainage Analyst
- Fish and Wildlife Protection Agent
- Irrigation District Assistant
- Environmental Protection Officer
- Conservation District Director
Many hydrology jobs are found in government and quasi-governmental agencies. Two examples are Hydrologic Forecaster and Service Hydrologist in the National Weather Service. Opportunities for advancement within these positions are good; often running in the government's GS-12 to GS-15 pay ranges. Salary and wage info can be found at the Federal Government's Office of Personnel Management. (Thanks to Tim Helble of the National Weather Service headquarters for his contribution!)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not include a specific category of employment for hydrologists. However, BLS reports that the median annual earnings of geoscientists (which is one closely related field) were $68,730 in 2004, with the middle 50 percent earning between $49,260 and $98,380 a year. Other sources report starting salaries for entry-level hydrologists between about $20,500 and $25,500. Check out full report from BLS here.
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