OVERVIEW

The Department of Geological Sciences has a nationally recognized program in hydrogeology, hydrology, aqueous geochemistry, and isotope hydrology.  With the Department of Geological Sciences ranked 9 overall (U.S. News and World Report rankings of geology graduate programs),  one of the only departments to be ranked in all specialty areas, our hydrogeology program is ranked 6 in the nation.  Our undergraduate program has a strong geology focus, but can include coursework in chemistry, biology, geography, civil engineering, and petroleum engineering, and we offer a B.S. degree in Geology/Hydrogeology as well as a B.S. degree in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology (Joint with Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering).   Our graduate program offers the M.A. M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Geology, and our students conduct both theoretical and applied research in physical and chemical hydrogeology. The State of Texas offers a wide variety of hydrogeological settings which include arid basins in the west, the Ogallala aquifer of the High Plains, Precambrian rocks of the Llano Uplift, and the large Gulf Coast aquifers, and the City of Austin itself is located in a karst discharge area which is undergoing rapid urbanization.

• Hydro Program Faculty
  Prof. Jay Banner (isotope hydrology)
  Prof. Philip Bennett (geochemistry and geomicrobiology)
  Prof. Bayani Cardenas (Hydrology and Hydrogeology)
  Prof. John Sharp (hydrogeology)
  
  
• Associated Faculty and Researchers
  Dr. Bridget Scanlon (vadose zone hydrology)

• Austin Area Hydro:
  The Austin/Travis County area has many unique and beautiful hydrologic features, most within an hour's drive of U.T.  Most of these locations have also been the
  subject of our student's Ph.D. dissertations and Master's theses.

• Edwards Aquifer: Also see the Edwards Aquifer Home Page.
• Barton Springs Pool: An Austin Legend - Barton Springs is the principle discharge point for the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, and the City of Austin maintains a unique swimming pool at the discharge.
• Hamilton Pool Preserve: Hamilton Pool is a beautiful karst grotto and canyon where a 50 foot waterfall launches over a fern-covered cliff into a deep swimming hole, with 232 acres of preserve managed by the Travis County Parks.
• Bull Creek Greenbelt and St. Edwards Park:
• Colorado River and the Highland Lakes: A string of lakes and park facilities along the Colorado River managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority.
• San Marcos River and Springs:
• Salado Springs:
• Other Hydrogeology Links: