Hydrology: Water Movement and Management

Hydrology’s Scope and Definition

Hydrology is the scientific study of water on Earth and other planets, focusing on its movement, distribution, quality, and management. It examines the water cycle as water moves into, through, and out of drainage basins, including processes such as precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater flow, surface runoff, and river discharge. Hydrology also considers water resources and the sustainability of catchments and drainage basins. The scope of hydrology includes surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology, and marine hydrology, along with specialized fields such as hydrometeorology, ecohydrology, chemical hydrology, isotope hydrology, water-quality science, and hydroinformatics. Hydrologists use field measurements, remote sensing, statistical analysis, and computer models to understand water systems and address practical issues such as flood and drought risk, water supply, irrigation, pollution, environmental conservation, infrastructure design, and sustainable water-resources management. Oceanography and meteorology are related fields but have broader primary focuses on oceans and the atmosphere, respectively.

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The Hydrologic Cycle

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