Hydrologist is a scientist who works with or studies the study of water transport through the environment (land surface and underground). In layman's terms, a Hydrologist is a person who practises Hydrology. Geographical location, landscape technology, construction management, and geological or meteorology are some of the disciplines in which these specialists specialise. They are critical in the solution of water-related issues such as water conservation, ecological protection, and so on. Hydrology has many subdirectories, including coastal hydrology, freshwater geochemistry, and oceanography.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must possess at least 50% aggregate from a recognized institution in 12th, from any board PUC/CBSE/ICSE/ISC, etc. However, the cut-off margin varies with the selection process of different colleges.
• One must acquire a degree/diploma or certification in a recognized establishment to become a Hydrologist. This is a basic qualification you must require to enroll in this line of work.
• A Bachelor's degree like B.Tech/B.Sc/B.A in Geography can help you pursue an education in Hydrology. Civil/Environmental Engineering can also prove to be useful to help you understand the underlying concepts of Hydrology.
• Entrance Exams for pursuing a degree for Hydrology varies on the institution and the course you wish to enroll in. Many institutions accept students based on their graduate scores, whereas prestigious institutions enroll students by standardised examinations.
• An M.Tech in Hydrology can also prove to be helpful while looking for a higher degree and extensive learning.

Tasks to perform

• Design and perform comprehensive hydrogeological inquiries to determine that the knowledge used in water service development policies is correct and relevant.
• Assess reports and process suggestions on the viability of urban schemes including hydroelectric power stations, drainage systems, flood detection mechanisms, and wastewater management stations.
• Gathering facts, proposing solutions, reminding members of success, and drafting draught orders are all part of the investigation of grievances or disputes involving the modification of public waters.
• Use scientific results to help reduce the negative effects of emissions, waterborne illnesses, flooding, and subsidence on the ecosystem.
• Organize hydrogeologic assessments of toxic waste areas, soil management, and livestock operations that are confirmed or alleged.

Knowledge required

• Chemical Dexterity – Able to understand the chemical structure and composition of substances available in the environment. Includes the understanding of changes, interactions between different substances, methods of production, and safe disposal of toxic substances.
• Apprehension of Physics — Predictive analytics of basic phenomena, laws, their interactions, and fluid, substance, and air mechanics interpretation techniques, and mechanical, electric, atomic, and subatomic structures and processes understanding.
• Arithmetic Prowess — Being able to evaluate and interpret various mathematical equations and use them to address complex problems in arithmetic, geometry, calculus, and other areas.
• Science and Innovation — Creation of realistic and analytical development of science & technology. This involves the application of principles, methods, processes, and machinery to the fabrication and manufacturing of different products and services.
• Establishment and Collection — Accumulating natural resources, production methods, quality management, prices, and other strategies for optimizing the productive produce and delivery of products.

Skills required

• Influence — Inspiring and persuading people to change their behavior and support a certain product, brand, or organization to increase sales.
• Method of Learning — Practises and processes for selecting and implementing strength and conditioning approaches and techniques that are suitable for the case when learning or introducing new items.
• Rational interpretation — Use of rationality and inference to distinguish the positives and disadvantages of creative improvements, assumptions, or responses to situations.
• Focused Attention — Active listening entails paying close interest in what others are doing, taking the time to consider the arguments being raised, making statements as required, and refraining from disrupting at inopportune moments.
• Effective Involvement — Necessitates paying complete focus to what others are suggesting, using the time to consider the arguments being made, responding to questions as needed, and not disrupting at inconvenient moments.

Source Water Protection Specialist: The experts in source water management assist cities in developing water resources management plans. Such initiatives assist water infrastructure in assessing possible risks to municipal quality water and water supply infrastructure, as well as laying out concrete proposals in the event of a crisis. They also collaborate with any network that wants to secure the freshwater source. Water used to provide municipal potable water as well as personal reservoirs and springs for human use is protected by source water regulation. Water from natural groundwater, pools, lakes, ponds, and streams are examples.

Job roles offered

Once you procure the required qualifications for becoming a Hydrologist, a myriad of options is open to you. There are multiple projects you can undertake throughout this line of work, and there are many other fields you can branch out to as well.

• Geophysicists: Geophysicists investigate the material properties of the earth and the environment using theoretical methods to resolve challenges. They can also research other planets. Their research has a wide range of uses. In earthquake-prone countries, geophysicists collaborate with architects. They even look at how the weather affects broadcast and satellite connectivity. Private businesses in the quarrying, oil, and natural gas sectors recruit approximately half of the nation's geophysicists. The majority work with regional or national government departments or instruct in educational institutions.
• Hydraulic Engineer: A hydraulic engineer is a specialist who is in charge of developing hydraulic structures and verifying that all hydraulic parts function as intended. The duties of a hydraulic engineer involve interacting with the command and movement of fluids, particularly water, and applying fluid dynamics concepts and guidelines to incidents affecting storage, accumulation, distribution, management, regulation, and so on. The hydraulic engineer researches the atmosphere, water, and its powers, as well as assisting in the development of principles and systems to serve the given mission.
• Volcanologist: A volcanologist is a geophysics expert who studies both active and dormant volcanoes. The flow and deposition of volcanic rock (or magma) deep beneath the earth's crust was observed by studying volcanic activity. Dormant volcanoes have rocky deposits that were formed by volcanic activity millions of years earlier, and they provide volcanologists with a wealth of knowledge and investigative research. This is not "standard" work in the sense that perhaps the job duties will differ greatly. Volcanologists will spend several days watching volcanoes explode, others doing paperwork in the lab, and even some riding in a helicopter mounting equipment in hotspots.
• Seismologist: Seismology is the investigation of shock activity, which are energy ripples generated by material tearing away inside the earth or continental plates sliding. We call these occurrences earthquakes. Explosions from volcano activity and atomic weapons tests can also affect them. Seismology also investigates seismic waves caused by mediated earthquakes, heavy vehicles, and building machinery, which are used to look for underwater fuel and natural gas reserves. Seismologists are scientists who research earthquakes and their consequences, such as hurricanes and rock slides. They could even keep an eye on volcanic eruptions for earthquakes and other signs of imminent eruptions.
• Source Water Protection Specialist: The experts in source water management assist cities in developing water resources management plans. Such initiatives assist water infrastructure in assessing possible risks to municipal quality water and water supply infrastructure, as well as laying out concrete proposals in the event of a crisis. They also collaborate with any network that wants to secure the freshwater source. Water used to provide municipal potable water as well as personal reservoirs and springs for human use is protected by source water regulation. Water from natural groundwater, pools, lakes, ponds, and streams are examples.

Career opportunities

Hydrologists can opt for various fields of work in the companies listed below:

• Stantec
• Mott MacDonald
• Swiss Re
• Walter P Moore
• Arcadis
• N. K. Buildcon Pvt. Ltd.
• Atkins
• Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats
• Neilsoft Limited
• Ramboll
• Egis

Colleges offering courses

• St. Stephen’s College, Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• St. Xaviers College, Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Management-Christ University, Bangalore
• Madras Christian College, Chennai
• The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore
• Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering & Technology, Chandigarh
• School of Infrastructure Engineering, Tamil Nadu
• National Institute Of Technology, Warangal
• Visvesvaraya National Institute Of Technology, Nagpur
• Malviya National Institute Of Technology, Jaipur