Hydrologist

What is a hydrologist? A hydrologist studies the dynamic nature of water, the forces that cause water to move around and what effects this movement has on the surrounding environment.

Hydrologists examine issues such as precipitation pathways, the relationship between rainfall and runoff, and the effects of precipitation on soils and various landscapes. They are also involved in projects to determine and promote sustainable usage of water sources and water conservation.

At a Glance

Imagine you are standing in a new and exclusive residential development high on a ridge overlooking the river valley.

You are a hydrologist for an environmental consulting firm that has been hired by the City to study the impact of residential development on the local environment.

Dozens of developers have approached the City for permits to build more houses along the ridge. Before the City approves more building in the area, it wants to make certain this community isn't negatively affecting the environment, including the river’s water quality.

The City has hired your firm's team of geologists, biologists, toxicologists, and hydrologists. As the team's lead hydrologist, you will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating water quality around the area to detect any changes that might be a result of this new community.

As a hydrologist, you specialize in the physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of water. How urbanization affects water resources, is one of your particular interests, making this project very exciting.

First, you identify issues that might arise from a residential development, for example contamination in surface runoff. The houses along the ridge all have yards that slope toward the valley, so when it rains, excess rainwater flows into the river.

As part of your study, you will collect samples of the surface runoff to analyze water quality. You're concerned that the runoff might pick up hazardous chemicals from the development and carry them into the river.

Each lot has a well-tended backyard, which often means the lawns and flowerbeds are treated with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These chemicals can be picked up by rainwater and carried in runoff to the river.

Area homeowners also use the river for recreation. This means you’ll monitor the water carefully to make sure that rafters, swimmers, and sport fishers aren't negatively affecting water quality.

Your evaluation of the development's impact on the area’s water quality will be a significant part of the team's report to the City. It will help planners make wise decisions with respect to further residential development.

Job Duties

Duties vary significantly from job to job, but the following list includes typical job duties one might encounter as a hydrologist:

Monitor water supply and usage
Contribute to the planning of water resource development by forecasting and monitoring water usage and precipitation level
Use computer models to determine the most effective ways of managing available water in particular areas
Analyze the effects of environmental and land-use changes on water flow
Conduct research on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of bodies of water
Respond to water flow situations, for example, droughts and floods, and evaluate different methods to address issues
Develop integrated water and drainage management plans
Develop hydroelectric power plants and irrigation systems
Assist in minimizing the environmental impacts of pollution, water-borne diseases, erosion and sedimentation
Prepare technical reports and studies
Coordinate and supervise the work of technicians, technologists, and students
Conduct climate impact studies with respect to various hydrological applications
Study public and industrial water supply, water quality, wastewater, and their impacts on the habitats of fish and wildlife
Conduct environmental impact assessments of resource projects and study the effects of natural disturbances on water quantity, quality and aquatic ecology
Conduct seismic surveys and study the formation of ocean basins

Work Environment

Hydrologists work in a variety of locations, including:

In the field:

Collecting samples
Gathering Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data
Performing statistical analyses
Setting up monitoring stations
Conducting field experiments

In the office:

Analyzing data and preparing reports
Interpreting hydrological data
Creating and utilizing computer models
Preparing research proposals and designing experiments
Communicating on the phone and in meetings with clients, colleagues, government departments, and the general public

In the lab:

Processing and analyzing samples
Conducting bench experiments

Where to Work

There are a number of places hydrologists can find employment. They include:

Environmental and engineering consulting firms
Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal government departments
Colleges, universities, and research institutes
Not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations

Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Boad

Education and Skills

If you are a high school student considering a career as a hydrologist, you should have strong marks or an interest in:

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics

In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as a hydrologist is a university undergraduate degree. If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as a hydrologist, the following programs are most applicable:

Environmental Science
Earth Science
Hydrology
Marine Biology
Water Resources Engineering

Currently, there is no mandatory certification needed in order to work as a hydrologist. However, you may find our Environmental Professional (EP) designation useful for your career and personal development.

Skills

Hard/ Technical Skills (obtained through formal education and training programs)

Resource management
Health, safety, and environmental regulations
Data collection
Flood control and mitigating risk
Design hydraulic structures
Erosion and sedimentation control
Quality assurance

Soft Skills (personal attributes and characteristics)

Analytical and critical thinking
Time management
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Physical stamina

Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.

Education and Skills

Kristin Hanson

I was attracted to the science of hydrology because it combines many disciplines and allows me to meet practical goals. It isn't realistic to expect I can save the entire world, however, each project I accomplish helps improve a small part of the world. The best advice I ever received was to gain experience in a variety of areas and types of projects. This allowed me to challenge myself. I started out as a research assistant and then returned to school for graduate work before progressing into more senior roles.

I have accumulated 12 years of diverse experience in planning, executing and managing environmental audits, conducting site investigations and remediating contaminated sites. My experience includes everything from collecting samples in the field to giving technical presentations and training to clients. Types of organizations that might hire hydrologists include consulting companies, municipal planning/public works departments, government regulatory agencies and industrial companies.

Jobs are most commonly found in urban centers. Things are constantly changing and I read journals and take short courses regularly. I also learn from my experiences managing diverse projects, and from interacting with the other talented professionals in my company. I am a member of the National Groundwater Association, the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and the Canadian Geotechnical Society. The industry needs talent. I predict that salaries will continue to go up as skilled professionals and the advice that they provide to the industry become more sought after.

Corporately, industries will begin to see environmental needs as something to be planned and addressed in a preventative way, rather than in a reactionary way. Air is a fast-growing area right now. Pharmaceuticals are a new contaminant being investigated. As we learn more about our environment and human health, things will continue to change rapidly. I recommend a strong background in geology and chemistry for entering this type of work. There is such diversity in this profession that you can choose the opportunity you want to match your lifestyle.

It is important to manage all aspects of your life. Don't let your personal life slip so that you work all the time. You have to achieve a balance. I have many projects on the go and typically work 40-60 hours/wk, mostly in the office. My work doesn't have typical 9-5 hours. The day isn't over until deadlines are met and reports are delivered. I never find the work boring and have different challenges each day. I manage projects, staff, schedules, clients and data, review reports and provide input to the work of others.

I am constantly juggling priorities to meet the client's expectations. I interact with clients, engineers and lawyers who have different areas of knowledge and expertise. It is important that I can communicate effectively and explain technical information in a non-technical way. My greatest work accomplishment so far has been remediation of a hazardous waste site in a residential neighborhood. This project was special because I was able to use existing laws to get the waste de-listed from hazardous to non-hazardous, which allowed my client to get the work done sooner. This ability to bridge the gap between the environment and environmental law is a unique contribution that gives me a sense of satisfaction.

Your Impact

As a hydrologist, you analyze the influence water has on its surrounding environment and how potential disruptions in the environment directly impact the quantity and quality. Climate change and gobal warming have led hydrologists to study areas where water supply is at risk due to increased temperatures or excess water from flooding.

The two most common categories of hydrologists are groundwater and surface water hydrologists.

The difference between a groundwater hydrologist and a surface water hydrologist is that the former studies water below the earth’s surface and the latter studies water above ground.

Groundwater hydrologists focus on contaminated sites or water supply and may even be consulted on where to build waste disposal sites or manufacturing sites to avoid the potential of water contamination.

Surface water hydrologists study water above ground such as rivers, lakes, rainfall, or runoff. The information from these sites can them be used to predict future water levels or the likelihood of droughts or floods. This can then be used to develop flood management strategies or calculate where to build reservoirs to management current water supplies.

Hydrologists play a critical role in protecting Canada’s water resources. Their most important duty is to analyze how water directly affects the surrounding environment and how changes to the environment influence the quality and quantity of water.

One of our most important resources, water is needed in practically every aspect of our daily lives. In economically developed countries we generally don’t give our water usage much thought. We don’t consider whether it’s clean, or whether there will be enough for our daily tasks.

A hydrologist’s role is even more important in countries without reliable access to clean water. In these countries, the agrarian system may be in use which has a heavy reliance on water management and irrigation.

Hydrologists can help improve conservation efforts in countries with unreliable, or low, water supplies by creating reservoirs.

If a reservoir is built to generate hydroelectric power, hydrologists would be consulted for their expertise during the decision-making process. Computer modelling would likely be used to predict the potential success of various operating strategies.

Although there is plenty of water on earth, it is not always in the right place at the right time or of the right quality.

Another area a hydrologist would work is in how improper disposal of chemical waste affects the water supply and surrounding ecosystems.

As the earth changes, so do the challenges facing hydrologists. It's not a simple and straightforward occupation, but it is one where you can make positive long-term impacts on the environment and the sustenance of the earth.

Occupational Classification

Individuals employed as hydrologists may be classified in one or more of the following occupational groupings:

NOC Code: 2113- Geoscientists and Oceanographers

What is a NOC Code?

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data, describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.

The NOC is developed and updated in partnership with Statistics Canada to coincide with the 5- year census cycles. It is based on in-depth occupational research and consultations conducted across Canada, to reflect changes in the Canadian labour market.

Hydrologist

At a Glance

Job Duties

Work Environment

Where to Work

Education and Skills

Skills

Education and Skills

Kristin Hanson

Your Impact

Occupational Classification

What is a NOC Code?

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