EDUCATING WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERS

Abstract

Developing, managing and assessing impacts on water resources are much more complex activities now than they once were. Water resource professionals now come from many more disciplines than before; but civil engineers are still almost always needed as team members. The qualities desirable in water resource professionals are outlined; and the qualities that seem to characterize most civil engineers are described. There are many overlaps, but some serious gaps. Ideally, the gaps should be covered in graduate school, for those engineers training for careers in water resources. But graduate school is best for specialist training and less effective in developing attitudes, approaches and the basic culture. Fortunately, the new emphasis on "environment" in almost all civil engineering undergraduate programs in Canada promises an opportunity to instill the skills and sensitivities essential to successful careers in water resources.