The British Hydrological Society (BHS) is a UK nonprofit organisation and registered charity (Charity number: 1208263) dedicated to advancing interest and scholarship in all aspects of hydrology, including both scientific and applied fields. Founded in 1983, the society serves as a learned professional association that fosters a broad and interdisciplinary outlook on water and the water cycle, encompassing natural processes and those altered by human activity.

History

The concept for the British Hydrological Society originated in 1982 during a planning meeting held at the close of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) Scientific Assembly in Exeter. The founding goal was to create an organisation that would unite diverse disciplines concerned with hydrology. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Hydrology Group and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Institute of Hydrology sponsored the society at its inception. The inaugural meeting took place at the Royal Society on November 1, 1983, attracting 143 members, representing nearly half of the initial membership. Since its establishment, BHS has maintained close ties with the Royal Society and IAHS, a key international body in hydrology and water resources[1][2].

Structure and Governance

The society is managed by an elected committee drawn from its membership. It operates largely through the efforts of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time to support the hydrological community across the UK[4][5]. BHS is recognised as a Specialist Knowledge Society of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is headquartered in London.

Activities and Publications

BHS organises a variety of activities to promote knowledge exchange and professional development among its members, who come from academic, research, and operational sectors. These include:

• Regular discussion meetings featuring invited speakers.
• The biennial National Hydrological Symposium, which started in 1987.
• Five regional groups that conduct local meetings and events across the UK.

The society publishes Circulation, a quarterly newsletter providing updates and information to its members since 1984. Additionally, it partners with the Nordic Association for Hydrology to publish Hydrology Research, an international peer-reviewed journal that also serves as the official journal for the German and Italian hydrological societies[1][2].

Support for Early Career Hydrologists

BHS places particular emphasis on supporting early career researchers (ECRs) in hydrology. It offers travel grants, undergraduate dissertation prizes, MSc scholarships, and facilitates opportunities to publish in Circulation and present their work via monthly webinar series launched in 2023. The society’s early career sub-committee actively fosters networking and professional development, including maintaining an email list and newsletter for early career members[5].

Public Engagement and Recognition

The BHS provides expert commentary on water-related issues such as flooding and water management and is frequently cited by media outlets. For example, its Chronology of British Hydrological Events provides a historical record of significant hydrological incidents in the UK dating back to 1800 and has been referenced in coverage of flood events[2].

The British Hydrological Society continues to promote hydrological science and practice in the UK through interdisciplinary collaboration, education, and outreach, contributing significantly to the understanding and management of water resources.

[1] https://www.hydrology.org.uk/BHS_history.php [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Hydrological_Society [3] https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/89EO00332 [4] https://www.hydrology.org.uk/organisation_management.php [5] https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/hs/2024/12/17/british-hydrological-society/