INTRODUCTION

The Environmental Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering (EHHE) Graduate Program (formerly known as the Hydrosystems Engineering Graduate Study Program) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) includes instruction and research in various aspects of transport, distribution, and storage of water in the global environment.

Hydrologic and hydraulic engineers are responsible for the planning, design, operation, and management of surface and ground water systems, preservation and enhancement of the natural river and watershed environment, design and construction of water control facilities, and conservation of water resources. Areas of expertise include:

• Systems for freshwater supplies for urban, industrial, and agricultural use
• Flood control and water hazard mitigation
• Stormwater drainage of cities, highways, airports, and catchments
• Wastewater collection
• Preservation, conservation, and utilization of surface water and wetlands
• Erosion and sediment control
• Groundwater utilization, management, and remediation
• Navigation in inland waters and in coastal areas
• Operation of reservoirs and lakes
• Planning and management of the hydrologic environment in response to human impact and potential global climate changes
• Hydroelectric, tidal, and ocean wave power plants
• Coastal harbors and offshore structures.

Major structural components of water projects may include canals, pipelines, urban and rural drainage networks, dams, levees, diversion works, spillways, reservoirs, flood walls, revetments, highway culverts, pumping stations, navigation locks, harbor piers, sea walls, jetties and groins, offshore platforms, ship moorings, and hydroelectric power plants.