HWR Undergraduate Program

What is Environmental Hydrology?
Hydrology is the science that deals with the waters of the earth, their occurrence, circulation, distribution, and chemical and physical properties, as well as their interaction with the global environment.  These waters include surface waters in lakes, rivers and streams and subsurface water which occurs at varying depths beneath the land surface.

Environmental hydrology is the applied science that investigates and characterizes the environmental state of our water resources.  Environmental hydrology also gives us the tools to develop the actions needed to protect and rehabilitate these resources.

What Do Hydrologists Do?
As an applied science, environmental hydrology is concerned with solutions to society’s problems with water, generally characterized as too much, too little, too dirty.  Typical solutions the hydrologist might recommend for these problems include flood control options to minimize effects from an overabundance of water; water supply alternatives to make water available to those without; and pollution control measures to prevent contamination of water supplies and to assist in cleanup of polluted water resources.
As the basis for their specific recommendations, hydrologists conduct field studies to obtain data and laboratory experiments to investigate specific hydrological processes.  Field studies include characterizing the underlying geology, collecting water samples for chemical analysis, measuring rainfall intensity and distribution, measuring the flow of streams and rivers, evaluating the extent, availability, and quality of unseen groundwater resources, determining evaporation and infiltration rates, and ascertaining the environmental factors affecting the hydrologic cycle.  In the office, the hydrologist organizes, analyzes, and interprets the data, using quantitative scientific hydrologic analysis.  Computers are used to store data, formulate and set up hydrologic models, simulate hydrologic processes, and calculate and display the analytic results.
Finally, the hydrologist considers the administrative and managerial aspects of solutions to water problems, taking into account concepts of economic efficiency, water rights, environmental sustainability, political accountability and organizational behavior.

What Type of Projects Will a Hydrologist Encounter?
Water resource projects are often designed to serve more than one purpose. 
Typical multipurpose projects include the construction of reservoirs to accomplish:
• flood damage reduction
• water supply for agricultural and urban needs
• generation of hydropower
• recreation enhancement

Surface water projects include:

• floodplain management and flood forecasting and warning
• designation of wild and scenic rivers
• wildlife preservation by identifying pollution sources and quantifying in-stream water rights
• environmental impact studies
• low flow augmentation for navigation and pollution reduction

Typical groundwater resource objectives and projects to accomplish them are:

• water supply through the construction of well fields 
• assessment of water quality through the placement of monitoring wells for tracking contaminant plumes
• remediation of polluted groundwater sources using a reclamation well field
• assessment of risk associated with a contaminant source using public health criteria
• impact of groundwater production on surface water and the environment

Currently, many hydrologists work in the area of water pollution.  In this capacity, the hydrologist determines the magnitude, type, and extent of pollution, compares the effectiveness of proposed cleanup measures, and then recommends the best action.

Employment Prospects:
Most hydrologists work either for local, state, or national government agencies or for private consulting firms.  Those working for the government usually deal with water quality, water supply or flood protection.  Government agencies often employ consulting firms when they need special expertise.  Large corporations normally handle their water-related problems by employing consultants as well.  As a result, those hydrologists working for consultants get a wide range of experience, working on many types of problems for a wide variety of clients.  More advanced graduate study can lead to careers in high-level research in national laboratories/agencies, environmental law, and teaching at the college or university level.

The Environment:
Environmental problems often affect water.  Urbanization and deforestation reduce water holding capacity and increase flooding.  Excessive diversion of streams and rivers and excessive pumping of groundwater eliminate aquatic habitat and imperil wildlife.  Uncontrolled dumping of wastes and use of chemicals result in polluted water.  Water is an important factor in global climate change, both in its extent and in its effect on people.
Hydrologists must be knowledgeable and innovative in handling environmental projects.  They need broadly based knowledge in the environmental sciences and mathematics and in depth knowledge of hydrology.  Since hydrology is an applied science, they must understand water policy and social sciences.  They must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and regulatory agencies.  For difficult environmental problems, specialized knowledge is required.

The Curriculum:
The current program for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources is listed at right.  It will change as educational requirements for hydrologists change.  During the first two years, a student obtains the basic environmentally important mathematics, science, and engineering background.  Two years of concentrated studies in hydrology and water resources follow.  A broad general education gives the graduate the background necessary to successfully apply the principles of hydrology and water resources to societal needs.
 

Many of the courses in the program have laboratory and field sessions, so that the student can experience hands-on application of fundamental theories.  The freshman year is identical with all other programs in the College of Engineering and Mines; equivalent courses are taught at most community colleges and universities in Arizona.  Electives allow specialization in hydrometeorology, environmental chemistry, environmental hydrology, water resources engineering, and water resources administration.

Internships:
Cooperative education programs and research internships on and off-campus are available.  By the end of their senior year, most students have had experience as hydrologic interns.
The wide variety of environmental science courses taken in the first two years provide the basis for the concentration in hydrology and water resources in the junior and senior years.  Water-related environmental application is stressed.  Graduates are sought by consulting firms, government agencies, and industry for entry-level positions because they have broad environmental backgrounds coupled with  advanced course work, both theoretical and applied, in water resources.

The Department:
There are currently fifteen full-time faculty and approximately one hundred fifty undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources.  This small size allows students to get to know each other and the faculty.  As one student put it:  “The Hydrology and Water Resources Department has a small, friendly atmosphere with an excellent academic program.”  Additionally, students have contact with the research staff, professors from other departments with joint appointments, as well as with professionals from the community who serve as adjunct professors.  There are active student chapters of the American Water Resources Association and the National Ground Water Association.

For More Information:
For information concerning the program in Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources, contact the Undergraduate Advisor, Dr. Donald Davis, or the Academic Advisor, Ms. Terrie Thompson:

Department of Hydrology and Water Resources
The University of Arizona
1133 E. North Campus Drive
Harshbarger Building, Room 122
P.O. Box 210011
Tucson, AZ 85721-0011

Visits are invited and encouraged.  You may contact the department by telephone at (520) 621-5082.

To obtain an undergraduate application for admission, write to:
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
The University of Arizona
Robert Nugent Building
P.O. Box 210040
Tucson, AZ 85721-0040