Goals of the Hydrologic Research and Development (HRD) Program

The program currently has six major goals:

• To understand ecological and biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems in order to discriminate between natural and human-induced changes and ensure effective water-quality and ecosystem management.
• To understand chemical and biochemical processes affecting organic and inorganic solutes and gases in aquatic systems in order to evaluate water quality and help managers make informed water-management decisions.
• To understand the physical processes controlling the distribution and quality of the Nation's surface-water resources in order to improve flood and drought management.
• To understand stream-channel morphology and erosional processes governing the source, mobility, and deposition of sediment to ensure scientifically-based management of rivers, dams and reservoirs.
• To understand the movement, availability, and transport of subsurface water in order to minimize further contamination of the Nation's ground waters, optimize aquifer remediation efforts, and ensure effective ground-water management.
• To understand long-term processes in small watershed, including the effect of atmospheric and climatic variables, and provide water and land managers with information needed for water resources management.

For current activities being done under these goals and for publications that are the result of full or partial support from the HRD program, see the National Research Program (NRP) and Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical (WEBB) program pages.