The influence of “Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences” on hydrologic research and hydrologic practice

I address aspects of the science and practice of hydrology during the twentieth century that provided the setting for the work of the NRC Committee that produced the 1991 report “Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences”. The report writers had to anticipate many technological challenges and changes, including those associated with planned measurement systems e.g. the NASA Earth Observing Satellites platforms and the NexRad radar-rainfall measurement network. Data archiving and access were major issues. Advances in computer hardware and software that have had such great influence on our work were well beyond the imaginations of the participants. The “Summary and Conclusions” of the report provided a blueprint for what was needed to advance hydrologic science and education; much of it remains relevant today. Examples of unsolved problems that needed to be addressed to advance hydrologic science were identified in the report as well as institutional funding mechanisms for addressing them. Hydrologic science has benefited from the establishment of the Hydrologic Science Program within NSF and the excellent leadership and vision of the founding program officer. Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done. I comment on two issues: measurements needed to support hydrologic research; and the need for a greater connection between hydrologic science and hydrologic practice.