Sustaining Our Water Resources (1993) / Chapter Skim
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Hydrologic Science: Keeping Pace with Changing Values and Perceptions
Hydrologic Science: Keeping Pace with Changing Values and Perceptions
Pages 43-58
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From page 43... ...
This evolution has occurred by virtue of an expanding base of knowledge on complex interactions in large-scale natural systems involving water and also because of changing values and perceptions involving protection of the natural environment. In this paper some of the major ideas behind the evolution of research and education in hydrological science are sketched.
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From page 44... ...
In fact, it can be argued that, until quite recently, pragmatic considerations dominated the approach to hydrology (see, e.g., Dooge, 1988~. Although the existence ofspecialized textbooks implies that hydrology was recognized as a subject of modern scientific study by at least the dawn of the twentieth century, hydrology was not formally recognized as a distinct branch of geophysics until 1922, when the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)
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From page 45... ...
Committee on Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences (COHS) suggests that definition of hydrology as a distinct discipline within the geosciences is essential to the timely expansion of our knowledge base.
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From page 46... ...
With the exception of sedimentation we have virtually excluded water quality as a parameter of water science. Although Ackerman's assertion might be challenged on the basis that hydrogeologists had been concerned with water quality in the broad scientific sense long before 1969, I think his view reflects the notion at the time that hydrology was primarily a field of engineering that had relegated issues of water quality to its sibling field of sanitary engineering.
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From page 47... ...
The linkages of the strictly physical, chemical, and biological aspects of scientific hydrology with the social science aspects of water resources planning and management become even more important under these conditions.
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From page 48... ...
The COHS report carries this argument forward, noting that the global scale must now be very seriously considered as important to hydrology. This realization of the importance of water to the earth system at geophysical space and time scales has profound implications for the research and educational infrastructure of hydrologic science.
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From page 49... ...
For example, the COHS report suggests several priority categories for research, one of which can be read to require a strongly interdisciplinary effort and a commitment to improved laboratory and field experimentation. How does hydrological science stand in regard to funding the important research activities that are necessary to push the frontiers?
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From page 50... ...
, in a paper presented at the Remson Symposium at the 1992 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, summarizes the concern: The uncertain balance between practical work and flights of the intellect continues, but our modern flights seem to be unreasonably tethered to practical demands, particularly to regulatory-driven requirements. Even our funding agencies have concocted a unique series of hurdles related to practical relevancy with precognition as the first incredible step.
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From page 51... ...
The stimulation of research in scientific hydrology with the essential costly field components will have to be done very carefully by the NSF given the modest budget available. THE EVOLUTION OF HYDROLOGICAL EDUCATION 'Tis Education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin 'd.
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From page 52... ...
The Most highly developed countries" have made precious little progress since the 1974 UNESCO report marking the end of the International Hydrological Decade, however, and it is becoming ever more clear that these countries, including the United States, need to assume the leadership role to change matters. As I have indicated, a major push for reform of hydrology education along the lines of recognizing hydrology as a distinct earth science discipline came through the efforts of the WSTB (NRC, 1991; Eagleson, 1991~.
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From page 53... ...
The next major level of improvement in ground water simulation models will not arise from improved numerical procedures; rather, a greater investment must be made in obtaining more accurate descriptions of aquifer properties and their variability...
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From page 54... ...
The issue is how to promote close collaboration between natural scientists and social scientists over the long term so that the problems, issues, and policies in water resources can be adequately addressed (Evans and Harshbarger, 1969~. One fact made clear during this committee's oversight of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program is that finding a solution to the valley's drainage problem, and any such situation anywhere in the West or in the world, is not a purely technical question.
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From page 55... ...
o in H=ROLO~ STIR RESOURCES ~~\\~ NAr~ WINCES AND ENRICH Y''~//~/~ SHALL Sales FIGURE 3.2 Knowledge overlap between hydrology and water resources (from Evans and Harshbarger, 1969~.
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From page 56... ...
Hydrological Sciences Journal.
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From page 57... ...
1984. The Potomac Estuary Experimental Water Treatment Plant.
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From page 58... ...
1992. Stochastic modeling of ground water flow and solute transport in aquifers.
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