Hydrology

Welcome to Hydrology, Hydraulics and Watershed

B.S. in Hydrology, Hydraulics and Watershed

Since the beginning, human beings have been dealing with water-related issues of flooding, drought, utilization, and protection. In the ancient civilization countries (e.g., China), technical administrators, who were assigned by and directly reported to emperors, had the authorization to redeploy the nations' resources to prevent natural disasters caused by flooding and drought. Over 2500 years ago, as the pioneer of flood control, Yu Da created a successful flood control system that is still functioning today along the Yellow River in China.

In the modern civilization countries (e.g., the United States), hydrology professionals use both the matured means practiced by the ancient people and advanced technologies such as Doppler radar, satellite-based remote sensing, computer simulation models, and geographic information system (GIS), to tackle problems related to water management.

Water is vital to the human race, the ecosystem, and the environment. However, one third of the world's population is suffering from a lack of adequate drinking water. In the United States, it has been estimated that 17 out of 21 water resources regions, including Regions 11, 12, and 13 (within which the state of Texas is located) are suffering from inadequate water supply, flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and the pollution of rivers, lakes, and/or aquifers. Successful solutions to these problems call for concerted efforts among stakeholders, hydrology professionals, and policy makers.

Hydrology professionals and hydraulic engineers play an important role to bridge stakeholders and policy makers, and to develop and implement the solutions. As a result, there are plenty of job opportunities for persons trained in hydrology. Based on the 2007 statistics published by the U.S.Department of Labor (DOL), the median annual earning for hydrology professionals was $66,260 in 2006, with the middle 50 percent earning between $51,370 and $82,140, the lowest 10 percent earning less than $42,080, and the highest 10 percent earning more than $98,320. In addition, the DOL predicts that the job prospects in hydrology are expected to be favorable and that the demand for hydrology professionals will increase by about 25% in the next decade.

Our Program

Tarleton State University offers the only Bachelor of Science in Hydrology & Water Resources in Texas, and is one of four (4) such programs in the United States. The degree program was developed after consultation with water resource specialists from throughout the nation. Students in this program have opportunities in doing internships either in US or abroad. The program is designed to prepare students for professional positions or advanced studies in hydrology, civil engineering, agricultural engineering, erosion and sedimentation, water quality, watershed planning,  and water resource utilization and protection by offering following seven (7) tracks/emphases:

(1) Agriculture - graduates under this track will have the expertise to solve problems related to soil and water (i.e., agricultural hydrology). Example problems are soil erosion, irrigation, drainage, best management practices (BMPs), total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), soil environment, and runoff management.

(2) Biology- graduates under this track will have the expertise to solve problems related to biological characteristics of water. Example problems are lake eutrophication, water treatment, bacteria growth and transport in aquatic systems, and assimilation of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) by microorganisms.

(3) Chemistry- graduates under this track will have the expertise to solve problems related to water  quality and water chemistry. Example problems are fate and transport of constituents (e.g., sediment and nutrients) in aquatic systems, lake eutrophication, wetland protection/restoration, water treatment, and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).

(4) Computer Science - graduates under this track will have the expertise to develop/use computer programs and software packages to tackle complex watershed problems. Example problems are watershed analysis, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, hydraulic design, automatic data collection, and development of commercial software packages.

(5) Economics - graduates under this track will have the expertise to work on the emerging issues, such as water right, water pricing, and cost-benefit analysis of water-related projects. One typical example is to develop optimal water allocation scenarios among contending entities/communities compelling communities by integrating hydrology knowledge, politics, socioeconomic, and regulations.

(6) Hydraulic Engineering - graduates under this track will have the expertise to design water resources engineering structures (e.g., levees, canals, diversions, and reservoirs), water supply systems (e.g., sedimentation pools, pumping stations, and pipelines), water quality protection measures (e.g., wetlands, ponds, and riparian buffers), and engineering foundations.

(7) Geosciences - graduates under this track will have the expertise to study geomorphology, sedimentology, groundwater, selection of engineering (e.g., dam) sites, and petroleum hydrology.

Resources

Dr. Xixi Wang's Website

What Can You Study in this Program?

Laboratory Equipment

Selected Student Research

Research and Teaching Collaborations

Certificate, License, and Scientific Society:

• American Institute of Hydrology (AIH)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE)

Scholarships for Hydrology Majors:

• Birdsong Hydrology Endowment
• I.B. Thomas Hydrology Scholarship
• James Mack Foust Endowed Scholarship
• Phillip and Ruth Bratton Scholarship