Working and Careers in Water and Aquatic Science

A hydrologist studies the movement, distribution, and quality of water.

Photo credit: Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

A hydrologist tests, measures and collects water data, such as river flow rate, tidal fluctuations, dissolved oxygen, sediment load, acidity, salinity, and groundwater levels. These data help the hydrologist, and all of us learn about the oceans, surface water on land, and groundwater in our aquifers. Hydrologists write reports and prepare water maps, tables and graphs of study results, and data analyses. These are published in documents or scientific journals and can be used to support water projects or investigations. Hydrologists have at least a bachelor’s degree; many have a master’s or doctorate degree.

 

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Texas Aquatic Science is a cooperative education project sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. Additional project support came from the Ewing Halsell Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sport Fish Restoration Program. Rudolph Rosen, Ph.D. wrote and edited the Texas Aquatic Science textbook. Videos were produced by Randall Maxwell. Sandra Johnson, Ph.D. served as educational consultant and authored the accompanying Teacher’s Guide.