https://www.environmentalscience.

org/career/water-resource-engineer

What is a Water Resource

Engineer?
Water Resource Engineers develop new equipment and systems for water resource
management facilities across the United States. The systems that Water Resource
Engineers create ensure that citizens are provided with a continuous supply of clean,
uncontaminated water for drinking, living, and recreational purposes. Water Resource
Engineers not only design these water management systems, but often oversee the
construction and maintenance of these systems as well. An increasing population and
continuous need for more water stimulates this fast-growing industry. A Bachelor's degree
and official certification are required to pursue this career, though many Water Resource
Engineers also go on to pursue their Masters Degrees.

What Does a Water Resource Engineer

Do?
Water Resource Engineering is a specific kind of civil engineering that involves the
design of new systems and equipment that help manage human water resources.
Some of the areas Water Resource Engineers touch on are water treatment
facilities, underground wells, and natural springs.

Water Resource Engineers must create new equipment and systems to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment and aquatic resource management.
A typical workday involves the analysis of data from relevant areas, then designing
new or improved facilities to enhance the cleansing effects of the water treatment
system. A Water Resource Engineer must take budgetary constraints, government
regulations, and other factors into consideration when designing these systems. A
Water Resource Engineer may then oversee the construction and implementation
of these systems to ensure that they are properly assembled. After completion,
they may manage the maintenance of these systems.

Where Does a Water Resource Engineer

Work?
Water Resource Engineers spend most of their time in an office looking over data
and designing new water resource management systems. However, part of the
work day may be spent at construction sites, allowing the Engineer to oversee the
construction of their designs. They may also find themselves in more industrial
environments when supervising maintenance on advanced equipment. Some
Water Resource Engineers choose to travel abroad to participate in large
engineering projects.

Most Water Resource Engineers work full-time, with many putting in more than 40
hours a week. This extra time allows them to properly oversee projects and assure
that everything is running smoothly.

What Is the Average Water Resource

Engineer's Salary?
Water Resource Engineers make an average of $79,340 a year. The lowest 10%
make around $51,280, while the highest 10% earned around $122,020. Many Water
Resource Engineers work for the government at the federal, state, and local levels,
while others work at engineering firms and nonresidential construction companies.

State Total Employment Bottom 25% Median Salary

Alabama 3,440 $53,060 $68,380

Alaska 1,100 $81,640 $96,680

Arizona 5,580 $61,830 $78,440

State Total Employment Bottom 25% Median Salary

Arkansas 1,270 $54,260 $70,050

California 37,900 $78,580 $95,940

Colorado 6,420 $64,960 $79,860

Connecticut 3,350 $69,470 $83,040

Delaware 710 $64,270 $75,410

District of Columbia 1,110 $68,580 $84,820

Florida 12,920 $61,950 $79,350

Georgia 6,200 $56,290 $77,610

Guam 260 $41,150 $53,410

Hawaii 2,070 $63,220 $77,510

Idaho 1,260 $61,260 $72,640

Illinois 9,290 $66,900 $83,700

Indiana 2,740 $55,510 $69,380

Iowa 2,020 $61,680 $78,230

Kansas 1,600 $61,070 $72,440

Kentucky 2,620 $57,520 $72,060

Louisiana 4,130 $69,960 $87,650

Maine 970 $57,410 $69,460

Maryland 6,930 $64,430 $79,720

State Total Employment Bottom 25% Median Salary

Massachusetts 6,250 $62,330 $76,420

Michigan 5,960 $55,700 $68,450

Minnesota 3,800 $64,420 $78,030

Mississippi 1,710 $57,540 $73,750

Missouri 3,980 $56,090 $68,380

Montana 1,290 $54,120 $64,370

Nebraska 1,530 $59,310 $76,890

Nevada 1,770 $65,780 $84,860

New Hampshire 1,100 $57,080 $70,180

New Jersey 6,720 $70,110 $88,580

New Mexico 1,190 $61,220 $75,020

New York 12,800 $67,520 $82,750

North Carolina 7,670 $59,990 $72,930

North Dakota 950 $55,460 $68,810

Ohio 7,200 $57,900 $72,920

Oklahoma 1,970 $63,220 $81,990

Oregon 4,310 $62,660 $76,620

Pennsylvania 12,550 $60,750 $75,040

Puerto Rico 2,220 $35,700 $48,660

State Total Employment Bottom 25% Median Salary

Rhode Island 690 $70,310 $87,220

South Carolina 5,920 $51,600 $70,940

South Dakota 990 $53,900 $64,140

Tennessee 4,400 $65,820 $84,850

Texas 23,550 $68,040 $87,450

Utah 3,060 $62,020 $74,340

Vermont 500 $55,820 $67,850

Virginia 8,210 $63,060 $78,140

Washington 11,830 $67,460 $81,430

West Virginia 1,290 $49,690 $65,980

Wisconsin 4,460 $57,910 $70,330

Wyoming 920 $59,250 $70,800

Table data taken from BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172051.htm)

What Is the Job Demand for Water

Resource Engineers?
The number of open positions for Water Resource Engineers is projected to grow
20% in the next 10 years, which is faster than average. Infrastructures are
constantly aging, requiring repair and rebuilding. In addition, a growing population
and continual strain placed on our water resources will demand more Water
Resource Engineers to create new and more efficient systems.
What Are the Education Requirements to
Become a Water Resource Engineer?
Water Resource Engineers are expected to obtain a Bachelor's degree at minimum.
Some states also demand that you attend an ABET-accredited program to help with
the licensure process, a requirement for all engineers.

Obtaining licensure usually involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)

Exam, then becoming a Civil Engineer (CE) Intern or an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) for
a designated amount of time. The exact requirements for obtaining licensure vary
from state to state.

Many Water Resource Engineers go on to pursue their Masters Degrees. In fact, one
in five Civil Engineers pursue higher education. This not only increases chance of
hire, but also increases the possibility of landing a higher-paying management
position.

Degrees Related to Water Resource Engineering

 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
 Renewable Energy Master's and Certificate Info
 MBA in Sustainability and Compliance Degree
 Nuclear Engineering Certificate and Master's Info
 Biochemistry Online Degree Information

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Science &Engineering

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Environmental Science
What Kind of Societies and Professional
Organizations Do Water Resource
Engineers Have?
Water Resource Engineers and those who wish to become Water Resource
Engineers can look to the following government sites for guidance:

 Water Laws & Regulations From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA is a U.S. government agency that regulates environmental law to protect the
country's natural resources and public health. Water Resource Engineers must be
familiar with the country's laws and regulations surrounding water in order to build
safe, legal systems that can benefit the public.

Water Resource Engineers can also browse through these organizations and
websites for valuable resources:

 American Academy of Water Resource Engineers (AAWRE)

AAWRE is a non-profit dedicated to advancing the education and knowledge of ethical
practices to Water Resource Engineers. They provide a Diplomate, Water Resource
Engineer (D.WRE) certification that helps Water Resource Engineers gain specialized
knowledge in the industry and increase hirablility.

 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE is a professional organization for civil engineers across all disciplines. ASCE
provides education and career opportunities, conferences around the country, as well
as links to professional publications and other information resources. This can be a
valuable resource to civil engineers, including Water Resource Engineers.

Other Recommend Resources

 National Ocean Service
 American Water Resource Association
https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hydr
aulics-civil-engineering/42737-basics-of-
water-resources-engineering/

What is Water Resources

Engineering? Surface Water
Hydraulics in Civil Engineering / By Chief Engineer Mohit
Sanguri / Civil Engineering

Major Functions Of Water

Resources Engineering
Water resources engineering generally deals with the provision of
water for human use, and the development of techniques for the
prevention of destruction from floods. Water resources
engineering also includes the planning and management of
facilities that are constructed for these tasks like making canals for
irrigation and sewers for drainage and to avoid waterlogging, and
all other issues related with the usage and control of water.
What is Water Resources
Engineering? Surface Water
Hydraulics in Civil Engineering / By Chief Engineer Mohit
Sanguri / Civil Engineering

Major Functions Of Water

Resources Engineering
Water resources engineering generally deals with the provision o

f water for human use, and the development of techniques for the
prevention of destruction from floods. Water resources
engineering also includes the planning and management of
facilities that are constructed for these tasks like making canals for
irrigation and sewers for drainage and to avoid waterlogging, and
all other issues related with the usage and control of water.

To meet the water requirements of society and the environment,

initially an estimate is carried out regarding the water available,
the demand now and projected demand when the work will
complete and future considerations, and then the requisite
infrastructure is designed, including the water treatment plants
and the pipes network, for the conveyance of water to the taps
and waste water from the toilets to the treatment units.

What Are Water Resources

Water resources are origin of water that are essentially required
by humans, and water is basically used for agriculture, industry,
domestic purposes, and environmental events.

Water on the earth is mostly salt water with only 3% as fresh

water. The majority of the fresh water is frozen in glaciers and the
polar ice caps, and the remainder is found as ground water, with
only a fraction available above the ground. Although fresh water
is considered to be available as a renewable resource, the supply
of pure fresh water is gradually decreasing in the world. The rate
of increase in world population exceeds the rate at which the
water supply is increasing so that there is an acute shortage of
water in many parts of the world. During the twentieth century,
more than half of all global wetlands were lost.

Other Tasks of Water Resources

Engineering
Water resources engineering also deals with:

 Sewer systems for storms and wastewater.

  Irrigation network.
 River engineering, including ice covered rivers.
 Hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, floodways
and reservoirs.
 Seepage control.
 Hydrology.
 Floods, flow of mud and debris.
 Wave analysis.

Surface Water
Study of surface water is an important field of the water

resources engineering. Water in a wetland, lake or a river is called

surface water, and is lost by evaporation, seepage in sub-surface
and discharge to the oceans. The total quantity of water available
in any system is dependent upon the storage capacity of the
reservoirs, the permeability of the soil below the storage
reservoirs, the overflow characteristics of the watershed,
precipitation, and the rate of evaporation. The quantity of water
consumed fluctuates over a period of time due to which
appropriate arrangements are necessary. For example, some farms
may need large quantities of water during the spring, and no
water in other seasons, thus necessitating a huge storage capacity
for the collection of water throughout the year. However, other
users may require almost a constant quantity of water, such as
provision of water for cooling of power plants. Natural surface
water can be increased by obtaining the additional quantities
from other watersheds through a pipeline or a canal.
 https://www.ice.org.uk/careers-and-training/return-to-a-career-in-civil-engineering/which-civil-
engineering-role-is-right-for-you/career-profile-water-resources-engineering

Career profile: Water

resources engineering
“Water resources” broadly relates to the assessment of the
quantity, quality and variability of groundwater and surface
waters.
Understanding the natural processes of the hydrological cycle allows water resource
engineers to plan, design, procure, build, manage and operate infrastructure to meet the
often-competing demands of domestic users, industry, agriculture and navigation.
Engineers are also responsible for the sustainable return of water to the natural
environment.

What does a civil engineer do in the water

resources sector?
Water resource engineers are employed by organisations right across the water industry.
Water suppliers abstract water from the environment, treat it to the required standard
and distribute it to household and non-household customers. In the UK, the industry is
regulated by the Environment Agency, the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). Engineering and hydrological consultancies
and research bodies offer services to assist other organisations in planning and managing
water resources.

In the broader field, water resource engineers advise on sustainable use of resources by
conserving water, building dams and conveying water to users. Their planning ensures
holistic, integrated management of water which balances the needs of nature with those
of users.

Wherever the water resources engineer works, he or she will utilise a number of
fundamental skills and specialisms:

 Analysis of observed data

 Development of conceptual and numerical models of the hydrological cycle
 Design and development of plans using industry standard methodologies
 Feasibility and option analysis
 Technical and commercial reporting
 Public consultation and presentation
 Options appraisal including cost estimation
 Programme and/or project management
 Assessment of uncertainty and risks including extreme events e.g. floods and droughts
 Root cause analysis and problem solving
 Analytical review of peers’ work
 Advising on best management of water in its natural state

More detailed information on roles within the water resources sector can be found
within our water supply, wastewater and flood risk management career profiles.

What is enjoyable about the role?

The work you do as a water resources engineer is vital, making a real difference to
people’s lives and to the environment, whether you are working in the UK or further
afield. Your work impacts on hundreds of thousands of people, sourcing water and
supplying it to homes, farmland and other businesses. This can be extremely rewarding,
especially in developing countries where reliable sources of water may be scarce.

Within the sector you will meet and work with a variety of people, including clients,
contractors and consultants, all of whom work closely in the planning, delivery and
management of water resource projects. You will also work with other key stakeholders
such as government, local authorities, landowners, regulatory bodies and members of
the public. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and in partnership with
other engineers and specialists to deliver projects.

The water resources industry is filled with opportunities to work across the globe due to
its universal reach. Major world issues such as climate change and urbanisation are
presenting greater challenges than ever – from providing irrigation water to farmers in
the developing world to building resilience into water and wastewater networks, in some
of the most advanced water systems ever constructed.

What has changed in the sector in recent

years?
In an ever-advancing world, not only do methods of working change but so do
regulations. Water management in particular has benefited greatly from the introduction
and continuous updating of the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH). This replaced the
Flood Studies Report of 1975 as a methodology for estimating rainfall and river flood
frequency.
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) seeks to integrate assessment of water
quantity and quality together with the ecological health of water bodies. This has led to
increased use of the concept of water security, which seeks to integrate water
availability under the extremes of floods and drought with ecological status. The work of
the water resources engineer is therefore much broader than it has been before now.
With the world’s population continuing to grow and become more urbanised, and the
impacts of climate change becoming ever more apparent leading to more variability in
rainfall, higher evaporation and greater risks from flooding and sea-level rise, the
pressure on our water resources has never been greater. Several countries around the
world, both developed and developing, are suffering drought conditions, and those
tasked with sourcing and supplying our water are having to think more innovatively and
strategically. As more barriers and shortfalls occur across the world, populations will
search new sources, such as rainwater harvesting, desalination of the sea and
reclamation of wastewater.

As an industry we are moving from 2D drafting towards a fully comprehensive level

3 Buildings Information Modelling (BIM) strategy. The work of the BIM Task Group is
supporting the delivery and implementation of BIM according to the objectives of the
Government Construction Strategy.

Future career potential and projects

Experienced water resource engineers may go into consultancy work or progress to
senior roles within water companies, regulatory bodies and other organisations. While
the engineering aspects of major water infrastructure projects may grab the headlines,
they must be underpinned by well-argued and presented long-term strategic plans that
are robust to public scrutiny and possible challenge.

Recent extreme events (such as the deepening drought over the 2011-2012 winter,
followed by unprecedented rainfall from mid-April onwards) means that it is no longer
appropriate to rely on historic hydrological records for long-term planning. An increasing
focus is being placed on research into how to deal with uncertainty and risk in water
resource management plans and drought plans so that appropriate information feeds
into the development of national and international policies and investment decisions.
Such research is undertaken by the water industry itself, together with academic
organisations and consultancies.

The global political agenda is placing an ever-increasing onus on tackling climate change,
and with the United Nations (UN) COP21 event taking place later this year in Paris the
implications for water resource engineers will be significant. Achieving the UN aim of
keeping global warming below 2°C will require large-scale international collaboration –
and building climate resilience into our water infrastructure will require similar
collaboration, research and investigation, and innovation within the industry.

In the UK, recent statutory plans combined with long-term horizon scanning suggest that
major new water resource infrastructure will be required to provide the resilience now
being sought by politicians and the public alike. Water resource engineers will play
fundamental roles in developing the plans for new infrastructure and taking them
through the planning and approval stages, to procurement, construction, commissioning
and operation. How do I become a civil engineer in the water resources sector?

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required, such as Civil Engineering or Civil

Engineering Technology. Graduates can then join engineering firms to develop specialist
skills and understand the sector. Further study can also be pursued e.g. an MSc in water
resources management.

Find out more about professional qualification with ICE

How do I return to civil engineering in this

area?
Many companies offer specific training and initiatives for their employees who are
returning to work after a period of absence. Engineers will also commonly choose to go
back to university to do a one-year MSc course if they want to transfer to another area
of civil engineering.

I don’t have a degree in civil engineering. What

next?
If you don’t have a civil engineering degree, or would prefer to take a vocational route
into the profession, there is the option to become a civil engineering technician.
Civil engineering technicians are at the cutting edge of designing, constructing and
maintaining everything from airports to sewage systems. Technicians can assist
designers in the production of technical work with all activities relating to the inspection,
study, design, maintenance and construction of highways.

Entering the sector as a technician is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside an

experienced and dedicated highways team and a great opportunity to progress your
career. ICE even offers a recognised engineering technician qualification. Many ICE
members have followed this path. Today, many are now chartered engineers with ICE.

How can I learn more about the discipline of

water resource management?
To help you discover more about about the role that civil engineers play in this discipline,
we've collated a series of resources including recorded lectures and case studies.
 Recorded lectures
 Gerald Lacey memorial lecture 2015: Why groundwater matters – given by Dr. Frank van
Steenbergen, presenting on the topic of groundwater and shallow aquifer systems
 Management of groundwater resources for irrigation and Co-users - a number of
presentations, given at the Irrigation & Water Forum’s 2015 one day conference
 Smeaton Lecture 2014: The New River: Edmund Colthurst and its design, 1600 – 1607 -
Andrew Smith summarises the history of the River from 1607 onwards and, in view of the
dedicatee of this annual lecture, briefly describes John Smeaton's role in the River's life towards
the end of the 18th Century

Case studies
 The Global Institute for Water Security: Saskatchewan river basin - The Global Institute
for Water Security has set up a large-scale field observatory in the vast Saskatchewan River
Basin to model the effects of climate change on water security. Find out more about about its
work and what the research has discovered

External resources
The organisations detailed below provide further information and resources related to
water resource management and engineering:

 www.ofwat.com - the economic regulator of the water and sewerage sectors in England
and Wales
 www.water.uk.org - organisation representing all major statutory water and wastewater
service supply organisations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
 www.britishwater.co.uk - an association which has a wide and varied membership
covering all sectors of the water industry
 www.ukwir.org - provides a framework for the procurement of a common research
programme for UK water operators on 'one voice' issues
 www.eci.ox.ac.uk/teaching/index.php - the ECI's flagship MSc programme aims to train
international leaders in all aspects of environmental change and management.
 www.fwr.org/WQreg/index.htm - regulation for Water Quality – How to safeguard the
water environment
 www.ciwem.org - The Chartered Institute for Water and Environmental Management is
the only independent, chartered professional body with an integrated approach to environment,
social and cultural issues
 www.hydrology.org.uk - The British Hydrological Society promotes all aspects of
hydrology - including the scientific study and practical implications of the movement, distribution
and quality of fresh water in the environment.

Training and qualifcations

The courses and training opportunities outlined below can help support and develop a
career in this field:
 Cranfield – Water and Wastewater Engineering
 Cranfield – Environmental water management
 Cranfield – Community water and sanitation
 University of Oxford – Environmental Change Institute – MSc Environmental Change and
management
 University of Southampton – MSc Water Resources Management
 Imperial College, London Environmental and water resource engineering
 UNESCO – Water and Science Engineering

Browse all our knowledge related to water resource management

Surface water is classified into five classes. The last class is class 5,
which is only useful for navigation. The first class involves very
clean water which can be consumed with minimum cleaning and
filtration. The level and quantity of the surface water and ground
water are dependent on each other. Thus overuse of ground
water should be restricted by industries.

WATER ENGINEER: JOB

DESCRIPTION
Water engineers supply, manage and maintain clean water and
sewerage/waste water services and prevent flood damage.
It's important to have a knowledge of and genuine interest in the
water industry and environmental issues.
What does a water engineer do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills
Water engineers work on projects such as flood defence schemes and sewer improvement
programmes at all stages, from conception and planning to completion and handover. Typical
responsibilities include:

 producing designs, both initial outlines and full plans, of sewerage, water treatment and flood
defence structures such as pump systems and pipe networks
 managing and maintaining water and sewerage infrastructure operations
 presenting project details and technical information to colleagues and clients
 writing reports
 managing project budgets
 keeping up to date with changes in regulatory legislation and guidelines
 writing and advertising tender documents and managing contracts
 liaising with clients, contractors, government agencies, local authorities and suppliers
 monitoring flood levels
 supervising staff and site workers
 using a variety of specialist computer applications/simulation software
 ensuring that projects keep to budgets and timescales
 maintaining an awareness of current environmental issues.
Typical employers of water engineers
 Privately owned water companies
 Regulatory bodies
 The Environment Agency
 The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
 Local authority environmental health departments
 British Waterways
 Private consultants or contractors
 Charities such as WaterAid
Job vacancies are advertised online, by careers services and recruitment agencies, in newspapers
and in publications such as TARGETjobs Engineering, New Scientist, ICE Recruit and New Civil
Engineer, as well as their online equivalents.
 For help with applying for engineering jobs and internships, take a look at our engineering CV
and covering letter tips and our advice on filling out online applications
 To find out how much money you could earn as an engineer, head to our engineering salary
round-up
Qualifications and training required
You can only become a water engineer if you have a degree in a relevant subject such as
chemical, civil, mechanical or environmental engineering, environmental science, geology or
physical geography. Some employers will ask for a 2.1 degree but others will accept candidates
with a 2.2 degree. Take a look at our list of engineering employers that accept 2.2 degrees.
A postgraduate qualification may be required for some positions, and can be beneficial for
graduates without relevant first degrees. A list of accredited courses is available on the
Engineering Council’s website and you can read our article on engineering postgraduate study to
explore your options.
If you are aiming to work in a technician role, it is possible to enter the profession with a higher
national diploma (HND) in an appropriate subject such as mechanical or civil engineering. To
find out more about getting into engineering via a school leaver route, visit the engineering
section of TARGETcareers, our website aimed at school leavers.
Achieving chartered (CEng) status with the Engineering Council can help to demonstrate your
professionalism and commitment to your field. To become chartered, you will need an accredited
bachelors degree in engineering or technology, plus an appropriate masters degree (MEng) or
doctorate (EngD) accredited by a professional engineering institution such as the Chartered
Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). You will also be eligible with
an integrated MSc. To find out more, take a look at our guide to chartership.
Key skills for water engineers
 Excellent analytical skills
 Teamworking skills
 Problem-solving skills
 Good time management
 IT skills
 Communication skills
 The ability to demonstrate a genuine knowledge and interest of the water industry and
environmental issues.
Read our article on the skills engineering employers look for for more information and then find
out how you can prove you possess these competencies at engineering assessment centres.
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279591-water-engineer-job-description

Hydraulic and Water Resources

Engineering
Description  | Recommended courses
 

Description
Water resources engineering is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle -- the
distribution and circulation of water linking the earth's atmosphere, land and oceans. Surface
runoff is measured as the difference between precipitation and abstractions, such as
infiltration (which replenishes groundwater flow), surface storage and evaporation.
Applications include the management of the urban water supply, the design of urban storm-
sewer systems, and flood forecasting.

Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid mechanics to water flowing in an

isolated environment (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean). Civil engineers
are primarily concerned with open channel flow, which is governed by the interdependent
interaction between the water and the channel.

Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as sewage conduits, dams and
breakwaters, the management of waterways, such as erosion protection and flood protection,
and environmental management, such as prediction of the mixing and transport of pollutants
in surface water. Hydroelectric-power development, water supply, irrigation and navigation
are some familiar applications of water resources engineering involving the utilization of
water for beneficial purposes. More recently, concern for preserving our natural environment
and meeting the needs of developing countries has increased the importance of water
resources engineering.

Civil engineers play a vital role in the optimal planning, design and operation of water
resource systems. Job opportunities in hydrology and water resources are quite varied.

Positions are available in large and small consulting firms, and at all levels of government
(municipal, provincial and federal). Particularly in Quebec, due to its abundant water
resources, hydrology has played an important role in the social and economic development of
the province.

Recommended courses
In order to achieve a specialization in the area of Water Resources and Hydraulics
Engineering at the undergraduate level, the following courses are:
 Strongly recommended:

CIVE 428 Water Resrces & Hydraulic Eng.  3 Credits

CIVE 550 Water Resources Management  3 Credits

CIVE 555 Environmental Data Analysis  3 Credits

 Recommended:

EPSC 549 Hydrogeology  3 Credits

CIVE 572 Computational Hydraulics  3 Credits

CIVE 573 Hydraulic Structures  3 Credits

CIVE 574 Fluid Mech of Water Pollution  3 Credits

CIVE 577 River Engineering  3 Credits

https://www.mcgill.ca/civil/undergrad/areas/water

Hydraulic engineering
Hydraulic engineering as a sub-discipline of civil engineering is concerned with the flow and
conveyance of fluids, principally water and sewage. One feature of these systems is the extensive
use of gravity as the motive force to cause the movement of the fluids. This area of civil engineering
is intimately related to the design of bridges, dams, channels, canals, and levees, and to both
sanitary and environmental engineering.
Hydraulic engineering is the application of the principles of fluid mechanics to problems dealing with
the collection, storage, control, transport, regulation, measurement, and use of water. [1] Before
beginning a hydraulic engineering project, one must figure out how much water is involved. The
hydraulic engineer is concerned with the transport of sediment by the river, the interaction of the
water with its alluvial boundary, and the occurrence of scour and deposition. [1] "The hydraulic
engineer actually develops conceptual designs for the various features which interact with water
such as spillways and outlet works for dams, culverts for highways, canals and related structures for
irrigation projects, and cooling-water facilities for thermal power plants." [2]

Fundamental principles
A few examples of the fundamental principles of hydraulic engineering include fluid
mechanics, fluid flow, behavior of real fluids, hydrology, pipelines, open channel hydraulics,
mechanics of sediment transport, physical modeling, hydraulic machines, and drainage hydraulics.

Fluid mechanics[edit]
Fundamentals of Hydraulic Engineering defines hydrostatics as the study of fluids at rest.[1] In a fluid
at rest, there exists a force, known as pressure, that acts upon the fluid's surroundings. This
pressure, measured in N/m2, is not constant throughout the body of fluid. Pressure, p, in a given
body of fluid, increases with an increase in depth. Where the upward force on a body acts on the
base and can be found by the equation:
where,
ρ = density of water
g = specific gravity
y = depth of the body of liquid
Rearranging this equation gives you the pressure head p/ρg = y. Four basic devices
for pressure measurement are a piezometer, manometer, differential
manometer, Bourdon gauge, as well as an inclined manometer. [1]
As Prasuhn states:
On undisturbed submerged bodies, pressure acts along all surfaces of a body in a liquid,
causing equal perpendicular forces in the body to act against the pressure of the liquid. This
reaction is known as equilibrium. More advanced applications of pressure are that on plane
surfaces, curved surfaces, dams, and quadrant gates, just to name a few. [1]

Behavior of real fluids[edit]

Real and Ideal fluids[edit]
The main difference between an ideal fluid and a real fluid is that for ideal
flow p1 = p2 and for real flow p1 > p2. Ideal fluid is incompressible and has no
viscosity. Real fluid has viscosity. Ideal fluid is only an imaginary fluid as all
fluids that exist have some viscosity.
 Viscous flow[edit]
A viscous fluid will deform continuously under a shear force by the pascles law,
whereas an ideal fluid doesn't deform.
Laminar flow and turbulence[edit]
The various effects of disturbance on a viscous flow are a stable, transition and
unstable.
Bernoulli's equation[edit]
For an ideal fluid, Bernoulli's equation holds along streamlines.
p/ρg + u²/2g = p1/ρg + u1²/2g = p2/ρg + u2²/2g
Boundary layer[edit]
Assuming a flow is bounded on one side only, and that a rectilinear flow passing
over a stationary flat plate which lies parallel to the flow, the flow just upstream
of the plate has a uniform velocity. As the flow comes into contact with the plate,
the layer of fluid actually 'adheres' to a solid surface. There is then a
considerable shearing action between the layer of fluid on the plate surface and
the second layer of fluid. The second layer is therefore forced to decelerate
(though it is not quite brought to rest), creating a shearing action with the third
layer of fluid, and so on. As the fluid passes further along with the plate, the
zone in which shearing action occurs tends to spread further outwards. This
zone is known as the 'boundary layer'. The flow outside the boundary layer is
free of shear and viscous-related forces so it is assumed to act as an ideal fluid.
The intermolecular cohesive forces in a fluid are not great enough to hold fluid
together. Hence a fluid will flow under the action of the slightest stress and flow
will continue as long as the stress is present.[3] The flow inside the layer can be
either vicious or turbulent, depending on Reynolds number. [1]

Applications[edit]
Common topics of design for hydraulic engineers include hydraulic structures such as dams, levees,
water distribution networks, water collection networks, sewage collection networks, storm
water management, sediment transport, and various other topics related to transportation
engineering and geotechnical engineering. Equations developed from the principles of fluid
dynamics and fluid mechanics are widely utilized by other engineering disciplines such as
mechanical, aeronautical and even traffic engineers.
Related branches include hydrology and rheology while related applications include hydraulic
modeling, flood mapping, catchment flood management plans, shoreline management plans,
estuarine strategies, coastal protection, and flood alleviation.

History[edit]
Antiquity[edit]
See also: Sanitation of the Indus Valley Civilization

See also: Architecture of the Philippines and Cultural achievements of pre-colonial Philippines

Earliest uses of hydraulic engineering were to irrigate crops and dates back to the Middle
East and Africa. Controlling the movement and supply of water for growing food has been used for
many thousands of years. One of the earliest hydraulic machines, the water clock was used in the
early 2nd millennium BC.[4] Other early examples of using gravity to move water include
the Qanat system in ancient Persia and the very similar Turpan water system in ancient China as
well as irrigation canals in Peru.[5]
In ancient China, hydraulic engineering was highly developed, and engineers constructed massive
canals with levees and dams to channel the flow of water for irrigation, as well as locks to allow
ships to pass through. Sunshu Ao is considered the first Chinese hydraulic engineer. Another
important Hydraulic Engineer in China, Ximen Bao was credited of starting the practice of large scale
canal irrigation during the Warring States period (481 BC-221 BC), even today hydraulic engineers
remain a respectable position in China. Before becoming General Secretary of the Communist Party
of China in 2002, Hu Jintao was a hydraulic engineer and holds an engineering degree
from Tsinghua University

The Banaue Rice Terraces, they are part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, ancient sprawling
man-made structures which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the Archaic epoch of the Philippines, hydraulic engineering also developed specially in the Island
of Luzon, the Ifugaos of the mountainous region of the Cordilleras built irrigations, dams and
hydraulic works and the famous Banaue Rice Terraces as a way for assisting in growing crops
around 1000 BC.[6] These Rice Terraces are 2,000-year-old terraces that were carved into the
mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are
commonly referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".[7][8][9] It is commonly thought that the
terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately
1500 metres (5000 ft) above sea level. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the
rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps were put end to end, it would encircle half
the globe.[10]

Eupalinos of Megara, was an ancient Greek engineer who built the Tunnel of Eupalinos on Samos in

the 6th century BC, an important feat of both civil and hydraulic engineering. The civil engineering
aspect of this tunnel was the fact that it was dug from both ends which required the diggers to
maintain an accurate path so that the two tunnels met and that the entire effort maintained a
sufficient slope to allow the water to flow.
Hydraulic engineering was highly developed in Europe under the aegis of the Roman Empire where
it was especially applied to the construction and maintenance of aqueducts to supply water to and
remove sewage from their cities.[3] In addition to supplying the needs of their citizens they
used hydraulic mining methods to prospect and extract alluvial gold deposits in a technique known
as hushing, and applied the methods to other ores such as those of tin and lead.
In the 15th century, the Somali Ajuran Empire was the only hydraulic empire in Africa. As a hydraulic
empire, the Ajuran State monopolized the water resources of the Jubba and Shebelle Rivers.
Through hydraulic engineering, it also constructed many of the limestone wells and cisterns of the
state that are still operative and in use today. The rulers developed new systems
for agriculture and taxation, which continued to be used in parts of the Horn of Africa as late as the
19th century.[11]
Further advances in hydraulic engineering occurred in the Muslim world between the 8th to 16th
centuries, during what is known as the Islamic Golden Age. Of particular importance was the 'water
management technological complex' which was central to the Islamic Green Revolution and,[12] by
extension, a precondition for the emergence of modern technology. [13] The various components of
this 'toolkit' were developed in different parts of the Afro-Eurasian landmass, both within and beyond
the Islamic world. However, it was in the medieval Islamic lands where the technological complex
was assembled and standardized, and subsequently diffused to the rest of the Old World. [14] Under
the rule of a single Islamic Caliphate, different regional hydraulic technologies were assembled into
"an identifiable water management technological complex that was to have a global impact." The
various components of this complex included canals, dams, the qanat system from Persia, regional
water-lifting devices such as the noria, shaduf and screwpump from Egypt, and the windmill from
Islamic Afghanistan.[14] Other original Islamic developments included the saqiya with a flywheel effect
from Islamic Spain,[15] the reciprocating suction pump[16][17][18] and crankshaft-connecting
rod mechanism from Iraq,[19][20] the geared and hydropowered water supply system from Syria,[21] and
the water purification methods of Islamic chemists.[22]

Modern times[edit]
In many respects, the fundamentals of hydraulic engineering haven't changed since ancient times.
Liquids are still moved for the most part by gravity through systems of canals and aqueducts, though
the supply reservoirs may now be filled using pumps. The need for water has steadily increased
from ancient times and the role of the hydraulic engineer is a critical one in supplying it. For
example, without the efforts of people like William Mulholland the Los Angeles area would not have
been able to grow as it has because it simply doesn't have enough local water to support its
population. The same is true for many of our world's largest cities. In much the same way, the
central valley of California could not have become such an important agricultural region without
effective water management and distribution for irrigation. In a somewhat parallel way to what
happened in California, the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) brought work and
prosperity to the South by building dams to generate cheap electricity and control flooding in the
region, making rivers navigable and generally modernizing life in the region.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) performed experiments, investigated and speculated on waves and
jets, eddies and streamlining. Isaac Newton (1642–1727) by formulating the laws of motion and his
law of viscosity, in addition to developing the calculus, paved the way for many great developments
in fluid mechanics. Using Newton's laws of motion, numerous 18th-century mathematicians solved
many frictionless (zero-viscosity) flow problems. However, most flows are dominated by viscous
effects, so engineers of the 17th and 18th centuries found the inviscid flow solutions unsuitable, and
by experimentation they developed empirical equations, thus establishing the science of hydraulics. [3]
Late in the 19th century, the importance of dimensionless numbers and their relationship to
turbulence was recognized, and dimensional analysis was born. In 1904 Ludwig Prandtl published a
key paper, proposing that the flow fields of low-viscosity fluids be divided into two zones, namely a
thin, viscosity-dominated boundary layer near solid surfaces, and an effectively inviscid outer zone
away from the boundaries. This concept explained many former paradoxes and enabled subsequent
engineers to analyze far more complex flows. However, we still have no complete theory for the
nature of turbulence, and so modern fluid mechanics continues to be combination of experimental
results and theory.[23]
The modern hydraulic engineer uses the same kinds of computer-aided design (CAD) tools as many
of the other engineering disciplines while also making use of technologies like computational fluid
dynamics to perform the calculations to accurately predict flow characteristics, GPS mapping to
assist in locating the best paths for installing a system and laser-based surveying tools to aid in the
actual construction of a system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_engineering