As a hydrologist for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Water Resources Center, Charlie DuCharme never has a dry day at the office.
"We examine and assess water resources in and around the state," he said.
He said the examinations and assessments may include those of aquifers for ground water, streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands.
"All the waters of the state, DNR has authority over," DuCharme said. "Also, if a landowner has a problem or question, they might ask us."
DuCharme has worked with DNR for 24 years, starting in the water protection program in the water pollution control branch of the department. Prior to joining DNR, he worked in Colorado. He's originally from Missouri's St. Louis County.
DuCharme has a wife and a daughter and enjoys bicycling, hiking, canoeing and cross country skiing.
Just like the variety of activities DuCharme participates in during his free time, he said his job also allows him to have a hand in various activities with DNR.
"I enjoy answering questions and figuring out what can be done," DuCharme said. "The variety of it makes it interesting."
He said a significant accomplishment of himself and his colleagues was the completion of Phase I of the state's water plan, which included the production of a series of seven publications assessing the state's water resources.
"I co-authored the publication, "Water Use of Missouri Volume IV,'" DuCharme said. "I also contributed hydrologic information to some of the other publications."
He said his favorite part of his job is the challenge of pursuing a hydrologic situation with circumstances not quite like any other.
"For example, even though floods and droughts will continue to develop and diminish, no two are exactly alike, thus each one has an interesting uniqueness to contend with," DuCharme said.