Water Resources Engineering

Beaver dam analog
Gonzaga Water Resource Engineering students build a beaver dam analog, one way of preventing erosion in streams.

As a Gonzaga watershed resources engineering student, you might:

  • Design a water distribution system that sends pressurized clean and reliable water to homes and businesses for consumption while also meeting fire protection needs.
  • Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to evaluate the flooding extent of rivers and better design flood control measures to protect surrounding communities.
  • Design green infrustructure that preserves and recreates natural landscape features to promote infiltration and manage stormwater runoff where it is generated.
  • Explore innovative and sustainable ways to protect watershed health by working with beaver to restore streams, floodplains, wetlands, and riparian ecosystems.

You'll learn how to manage the equipment, facilities, and techniques that manage and preserve this powerful and plentiful resource.

Nichols
"Dr. Sue shared her passion for stream restoration and got me excited about becoming a water resources engineer."
Allison Nichols, '16, Civil Engineering,
Water Resources Designer, Otak

What Can You Do with Water Resources Engineering?

Engineering consulting firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that are responsible for supplying or managing bodies of water all need water resources engineers. Many students get their Professional Engineer (PE) certification and/or pursue a master's degree in water resources engineering.

 

classroom

What You'll Study

The subdiscipline requires knowledge of fluid mechanics, hydrology, hydraulics, river engineering, stormwater management, and/or watershed modeling. Some of these subjects are in the standard civil engineering coursework. Others are specific technical electives for your senior year. The Degree Worksheet marks these electives with a "W."

flume

Water Resources Lab

This lab provides students an opportunity to study hydrologic features such as precipitation, infiltration and runoff in the lab, in addition to using local watersheds. Hydraulic behaviors are investigated using pumps, flow of water in pipes, flumes, natural open channels, and common engineered structures.