If you have a passion for environmental science and the process of conducting research, you might consider becoming a hydrologist. Start by taking a deep dive into the hydrology job description that follows, and then explore environmental science degree options.
A hydrologist is a scientist who studies water and its movement around the planet. Hydrologists also study how water affects its surrounding environment and how environmental factors affect the quantity and quality of available water. One crucial concept in hydrology is the hydrologic cycle.
hydrologist
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Within the hydrology field, there are options for specializing. Hydrologists tend to specialize in a component of the hydrologic cycle or in a particular water source. For instance, some hydrologists specialize in the evaporation of water and its journey to the atmosphere.
The job of a hydrologist requires both independent and collaborative work. Hydrologists frequently coordinate their work with environmental science technicians, biologists, engineers, other scientists and public officials. For instance, a hydrologist might connect with an elected official to discuss water management plans for a city, or the hydrologist might work with a biologist to assess the effects of water pollution on local wildlife.
Hydrologists split their time between the office and the field. While in the field collecting samples and working with monitoring equipment, hydrologists may need to access hard-to-reach areas and rugged terrain. In the office, hydrologists spend a great deal of time analyzing the data they have collected.
The largest employer of hydrologists is the federal government. Other hydrologists work for state or local governments. Still others work for engineering firms and similar organizations, and there are some opportunities for hydrology professionals in institutes of higher education, where they may teach and conduct research.
Your formal education and on-the-job training will equip you to carry out the duties of a professional hydrologist. Along the way, you can actively work on cultivating the following skills and characteristics:
Sign up for as many earth science, chemistry, biology and physics classes as possible. Computer science and communications classes are also important for aspiring hydrologists. In addition, look for relevant extracurricular activities, such as a science or public speaking club.
Undergraduate degree programs in hydrology are few and far between. Instead, aspiring hydrologists can earn an environmental science degree. This degree program focuses on environmental health issues and their remediation.
Students may have the opportunity to complete a capstone project during their senior year. This is a culmination of their environmental science knowledge. Aspiring hydrologists should select a topic pertaining to water resources.
The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) is the certifying body in the U.S. To obtain a certification as a hydrologist, you will need to pass a two-part exam. You must also meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
Another factor fueling the demand for hydrologists is population growth. As the population climbs, so too does human activity. This contributes to a greater need for resources gleaned through hydraulic fracturing, construction and mining. In turn, all of these activities negatively affect the natural water cycle and clean water availability.
Additionally, population growth contributes to human expansion to locations previously uninhabited by humans. This can create water scarcity and increase the risk of damaging floods. All of these factors combined are contributing to the rising demand for skilled hydrologists and smart water management programs.
Hydrologists work in offices and in the field. In offices, hydrologists spend much of their time using computers to analyze data and model their findings. In the field, hydrologists may have to wade into lakes and streams to collect samples or to read and inspect monitoring equipment.
Despite limited employment growth, about 600 openings for hydrologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Hydrologists may use remote sensing equipment to collect data. They, or technicians whom they supervise, usually install and maintain this equipment. Hydrologists also use sophisticated computer programs to analyze the data collected. Computer models are often developed by hydrologists to help them understand complex datasets.
Most hydrologists specialize in a particular water source or a certain aspect of the water cycle, such as the evaporation of water from lakes and streams. The following are examples of types of hydrologists:
Surface water hydrologists study water from aboveground sources such as streams, lakes, and snowpacks. They may predict future water levels by tracking usage and precipitation data to help reservoir managers decide when to release or store water. They also produce flood forecasts and help develop flood management plans.
Work done by hydrologists can sometimes include topics typically associated with atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists. Scientists with an education in hydrology and a concentration in water quality are environmental scientists and specialists. Some people with a hydrology background become high school teachers or postsecondary teachers.
Hydrologists work in offices and in the field. In offices, hydrologists spend much their time using computers to analyze data and model their findings. In the field, hydrologists may have to wade into lakes and streams to collect samples or to read and inspect monitoring equipment. Hydrologists also need to write reports detailing the status of surface water and groundwater in specific regions. Many jobs require significant travel. Jobs in the private sector may require international travel.
The median annual wage for hydrologists was $84,030 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $135,170.
Demand for the services of hydrologists will stem from ongoing human activities such as mining, construction, and hydraulic fracturing. Environmental concerns, especially global climate change that may contribute to flooding and drought, are likely to increase demand for these scientists. Hydrologists will be needed to assess threats to local, state, and national water supplies and to develop comprehensive water management plans. However, the development and use of integrated technology and review systems may limit the need for some hydrologists.
Population expansion into areas that were previously uninhabited also may increase the risk of flooding, and new communities may encounter water availability issues. Although governments value hydrologists' expertise in finding sustainable solutions to managing water resources, budget constraints will limit hiring and impact growth.
The NWS employs about 300 hydrologists, who work alongside meteorologists to analyze, study, and predict river levels and flooding events. Most Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) have a Service Duty Hydrologist on staff and many other hydrologists staff the NWS's 13 River Forecast Centers (RFCs). NWS hydrologists often conduct fieldwork to collect data and install or service river gauges and equipment. Shift work is occasionally required and can include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Hydrologists in the NWS come from diverse backgrounds in the earth sciences and engineering. Federally employed hydrologists must have at least a Bachelor's degree that included 30 semester hours in any combination of physical sciences or engineering. Coursework must have included at least six semester hours in calculus and at least six semester hours in physics.
Hydrologists examine the physical characteristics, distribution, and circulation of water above and below the earth's surface. They study rainfall and other precipitation, the paths precipitation takes through the soil and rocks underground, and its return to the oceans and air. Often, they specialize in either underground water or surface water. They examine the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, its movement through the Earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. Hydrologists use sophisticated techniques and instruments. For example, they may use remote sensing technology, data assimilation, and numerical modeling to monitor the change in regional and global water cycles. Some surface-water hydrologists use sensitive stream-measuring devices to assess flow rates and water quality. The government and private industry use this information about water properties and movement patterns for a variety of purposes.
Many hydrologists assist in water conservation. The work they do is very important for environmental preservation; for instance, they may project water shortages, analyze the quality of potential water sources, or monitor the inflow and outflow of reservoirs. Some hydrologists forecast and help to prepare a region for conditions such as flooding, snowmelt, drought, and the formation and melting of river ice. Hydrologists often serve as consultants to scientists, engineers, developers, and governing bodies. They may study the feasibility of water reclamation or routing projects, or they may determine the possible effects of activities such as drilling, land development, and bridge construction on local waters. 2ff7e9595c
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