Hydrologist

Position Title

Hydrologist

Alternate Titles

Hydrogeologist, hydraulics engineer, hydrologic engineer, and water resource engineer.

Job Description

Hydrologists analyze hydrologic and geologic field data, water-level data, or instrumentation data to estimate risks and water resource availability and support engineering design and construction of hydropower infrastructure. Hydrologists also assess the potential upstream and downstream surface water, groundwater, and sedimentation impacts of hydropower plants.

Education and Training Description

Hydrologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science (such as geology, earth science, civil or environmental engineering) or a related field (such as natural resources). A master’s degree in hydrology, water resources engineering, or a related subject is sometimes preferred. Hydrologists conducting research or teaching at the postsecondary level typically need a doctoral degree.

Some employers require hydrologists to earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field and acquire a fundamentals of engineering license by passing the fundamentals of engineering exam. With a fundamentals of engineering license and 4 or more years of work experience, hydrologists can take a test to acquire a professional engineering license. Hydrologists with a professional engineering license can be technical specialists within the civil engineering discipline, oversee other engineers, develop designs and specifications, and oversee construction activities. An advanced degree, additional work experience, and a professional engineering license can lead to more job opportunities in the research and development sector and training, education, and managerial roles, as well as increased opportunity for career advancement.

Job Profile

Hydrologists in the hydropower industry evaluate the water resource availability and feasibility of hydropower developments. Hydrologists collect data on precipitation, runoff, stream flow, and snowpack within the hydropower plant watershed. Hydrologists may perform fieldwork to collect this data or use remote sensing techniques. They, or technicians they supervise, usually install and maintain field-based equipment.

Hydrologists create computer programs or models to analyze this data and understand complex data sets. Hydrologists use models to determine and forecast the water resource availability for a hydropower plant for a given year and make recommendations to the plant operators on when to release and store reservoir water or prepare for flood and drought events.

Hydrologists assess the potential upstream and downstream impacts a hydropower plant will have on surface water, groundwater, and sedimentation. They also assess the impacts of dams and reservoirs on the environment and other activities such as navigation and recreation. These assessments help project developers and policymakers understand the feasibility and potential impacts of a proposed hydropower plant site.

Hydrologists in the hydropower industry typically:

• Develop, perform, and review geologic field studies for the purpose of gathering data to evaluate the condition of existing or potential dam foundations at various project sites
• Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as volume and stream flow
• Collect water and soil samples to test for certain properties, such as the pH or pollution levels
• Analyze data on the environmental impacts of pollution, erosion, drought, and other problems
• Analyze hydrologic, geologic, water-level, and/or instrumentation data from the site to estimate dam safety risk and support engineering design and construction
• Research ways to minimize the negative impacts of erosion, sedimentation, or pollution on the environment
• Use computer models to forecast future water supplies, the spread of pollution, water qualities (e.g., temperature and pH),  floods, and other events
• Evaluate the feasibility of water-related projects, such as hydroelectric power plants
• Communicate results of data analyses to engineers, scientific team members, stakeholders, and professional communities, such as by preparing written reports and presentations of their findings, like water release plans for hydropower plant operations.

Job Skills

Hydrologists in the hydropower industry typically need:

• Analytical skills. Hydrologists need to analyze data collected in the field and examine the results of laboratory tests.
• Communication skills. Hydrologists prepare detailed reports that document their analytical methods and findings. They may have to present their findings to people who do not have a technical background, such as government officials or the general public.
• Critical-thinking skills. Hydrologists develop and use models to assess the potential risks to the water supply and hydropower plants related to pollution, floods, droughts, and other threats. They develop water management plans to handle these threats. They consider the multiple uses for the reservoir and river system, such as flood control and navigation.
• Interpersonal skills. Most hydrologists work as part of a diverse team with engineers, technicians, construction managers, and other scientists.
• Physical stamina. Some hydrologist positions involve fieldwork in remote areas accessible only on foot or by boat.

More Information

For more information on hydrologist jobs, see: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Hydrologists.

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Hydrologists