Geology 



Hydrology 



Geologic conditions exert a great 

 influence on the land management 

 practices of the Forest Service. It is 

 necessary to evaluate these 

 influences for efficient land 

 management planning and 

 operations. Geologic information is 

 presently being utilized to determine: 

 Groundwater conditions for water 

 well developments and watershed 

 studies; foundation conditions for 

 roads, bridges, and dams; sources of 

 borrow material for road surfacing; 

 and descriptive statements and 

 illustrations for explaining unusual 

 geologic areas for the public. 



The geologist 



• Studies geologic literature and 

 collects field date. Applies 

 geologic and other hypotheses 

 and principals to determine: 

 geologic history, rock types, 

 rock structure; the origin, 

 composition, and classification 

 of landforms; and groundwater 

 conditions. Field work requires 

 the use of aerial photos and/or 

 maps with notes to record the 

 data. Seismic and electrical 

 resistivity geophysical methods 

 are utilized to obtain data deep 

 below the earth's surface. 



• Applies information gained to 

 solve problems concerning soil 

 stability, landslides, road 

 construction, bridge sites, 

 sewage disposal systems, and 

 sources of aggregate. Broad 

 geologic surveys with their 

 interpretations provide 

 information for planning road 

 nets, timber harvesting, 

 watershed studies, and soil 

 inventories. 



• Works as a member of an 

 interdisciplinary team of 

 scientists, engineers, and other 

 professionals who contribute 

 equivalent information in their 

 fields so the total environment 

 is understood. 



F— 499845 



Forest Service geologist examining rock 

 samples (Sawtooth National Forest, 

 Idaho). 



Qualification Requirements 



Geologists in the Forest Service must 

 have a degree in geology or one of its 

 specialized areas such as 

 engineering geology, mining 

 geology, or groundwater geology 

 from an accredited college or 

 university. Specific study must have 

 included 30 semester hours in 

 geology and 20 semester hours in 

 any combination of mathematics, 

 physics, chemistry, biological 

 science, engineering, and pertinent 

 related sciences such as geophysics, 

 meteorology, hydrology, and 

 oceanography. 



Forest and rangelands occupy the 

 Nation's most important water 

 producing areas. The hydrologist 

 plays an important role in the 

 planning, design, and 

 implementation of management 

 practices on those lands. 



The Forest Service offers a wide 

 variety of opportunities for the 

 hydrologists in National Forest 

 administration, research, and State 

 and private cooperative forestry 

 programs. For example, the Forest 

 Service hydrologist: 



• Determines and analyzes 

 watershed conditions and 

 associated hydrologic and 

 climatic variables in terms of 

 management potentials, 

 limitations, and hazards. 



• Prepares plans and 

 prescriptions for minimizing 

 possible adverse effects of (1 ) 

 resource use and development, 

 (2) construction of 

 improvements, and (3) natural 

 catastrophe on the water 

 resource. 



• Recommends, designs, and 

 assists in implementing 

 installation of flood control, soil 

 conservation, and watershed 

 improvements. 



• Helps determine the criteria, 

 needs, and opportunities for 

 blending water yield 

 improvement with other land 

 and resource management 

 objectives. 



• Determines the influence of 

 grazing, timber harvest, 

 minerals management, 

 recreation use, road 

 construction, waste disposal, 

 and other management 

 activities on the water resource 

 and on the local microclimate. 



