Hydrologists study the occurence, distribution, circulation and properties of water in the atmosphere, on the Earth's surface, and in soil and underlying rocks.

Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. Hydrologists often specialize in particular fields but, in general, they:

• apply scientific knowledge and mathematical/physical principles to solve water-related problems
• study the flow and storage of water in rivers, lakes, wetlands, glaciers, snowpacks, rocks and soils
• study the transport and fate of dissolved and suspended matters in water
• conduct short-term and long-term climate assessments and study effects on water flow and storage
• conduct risk analyses for floods and droughts
• develop water and drainage management plans
• assess the feasibility of developing hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems and water supplies
• assist in minimizing the environmental impacts of pollution, water-borne diseases, erosion and sedimentation
• study public and industrial water supply, water quality, wastewater, water base and recreation requirements, and their impacts on the wetland habitats of fish and wildlife 
• conduct environmental impact assessments of resource projects and study the effects of natural disturbances (for example, wildfire, mountain pine beetle) on water quantity, water quality and acquatic ecology
• gather geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing and other data, perform statistical analyses and develop hydrologic models
• prepare technical reports
• co-ordinate and supervise the work of technologists and technicians.

Hydrogeologists specialize in studying groundwater.

Hydrologists may work alone as well as with a team of professionals, technologists or technicians. They may work primarily indoors in an office environment or outdoors conducting field investigations. Hours of work can be long and field work may involve being away from home for weeks at a time while working in remote and rugged terrain in adverse conditions. Lifting up to 20 kilograms may be routinely required.

The minimum education requirement is a four year bachelor's degree in a discipline that has a strong hydrology component such as geography, civil engineering, environmental science, earth sciences, agriculture or forestry. A master's degree is required for some positions. Before enrolling in a bachelor's degree program, prospective hydrologists should discuss their education options with people currently working in the field.

Hydrologists who provide design input for water management infrastructure projects (for example, dams, canals, stormwater management, pipeline or bridge crossings) must have an engineering degree and Professional Engineer status. For more information, see the Civil Engineer and Environmental Engineer occupational profiles.

Hydrologists who provide geological input must have a degree in geology and Professional Geologist status. For more information, see the Geologist occupational profile.

For information about other suitable degree programs, see the Geographer, Environmental Auditor, Meteorologist, Agrologist and Forester occupational profiles.

Entrance requirements for suitable degree programs vary from one program and institution to another but, in general, include a competitive average (65 to 80 per cent) in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, Chemistry 30, and two other 30-level subjects (for example, Physics 30, Math 31 or Social Studies 30). For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer master's and doctoral (PhD) degree programs in hydrology:

• the University of Alberta in Edmonton
• the University of Calgary
• the University of Lethbridge.

Hydrologists are employed by:

• natural resource companies
• civil engineering, environmental and forestry consulting firms
• government departments.

Experienced hydrologists may work with Canadian consulting firms overseas or advance to water resource management positions.

Hydrologists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists. In Alberta, 93 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

Hydrologists' salaries vary considerably depending on their qualifications and the responsibilities of the position.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists occupational group earned from $15.27 to $117.79 an hour. The average wage was $55.99 an hour.

For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) website: www.apegga.org