A professional who studies distribution, disposition, and development of waters of land areas, including form and intensity of precipitation, and modes of return to ocean and atmosphere. Responsibilities include:

• Maps and charts water flow and disposition of sediment.
• Measures changes in water volume due to evaporation and melting of snow.
• Studies storm occurrences and nature and movement of glaciers, and determines rate of ground absorption and ultimate disposition of water.
• Evaluates data obtained in reference to such problems as flood and drought forecasting, soil and water conservation programs, and planning water supply, water power, flood control, drainage, irrigation, crop production, and inland navigation projects.