Dramatic growth of hydrological science in the UK in the 1960s and early 1970s

Abstract

Abstract The mid-1960s to early 1970s were a formative stage in hydrology in the UK. This was a period of a major increase in government funding for science. Establishing hydrology as an environmental science to compete for a share in this boost in funding with well-recognised subjects such as geology, ecology and oceanography depended on the work of enthusiastic scientists influencing the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Progress was made by key individuals not only by their own research contributions but also by their influential work within the government, exemplified by the roles of five physicists. In attempting to accelerate hydrological science, mistakes were made but, in this period, a major research institute was founded, large field catchment experiments were set up and research and training within UK universities increased significantly. The research is based on participant observation and examination of contemporary committee papers held in the UK National Archives, Kew and in the Science Museum Archive, Wroughton.