Hydrogeology Journal (HJ) supports both scientific research and practical groundwater management, aligning with the goals of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). It remains a respected journal with strong impact and readership, though it faces challenges related to editorial workload, review delays, and evolving publishing policies.
HJ’s Impact Factor is stable at 2.3 (2024), with a 5‑year value of 2.8, placing it in the upper half of relevant fields. However, its Usage Factor – 579,552 downloads in 2024, up significantly from 2020 – better reflects its broad influence, particularly among practitioners who use its findings without publishing themselves.
Submissions and journal size grew rapidly until 2019, with published content doubling between 2009 and 2019. Since then, output has decreased to about 150 articles (about 2000 pages) annually, partly due to stricter editorial policies aimed at managing workload. HJ aims to deliver initial decisions about publishing submitted papers within three months, but securing timely reviews is problematic. Efforts to involve more reviewers have not yet significantly improved turnaround times.
Editors’ Choice articles are those that the editors consider to be exceptional. They illustrate a range of attributes, from outstanding science to philosophical interest, challenging arguments, and more. The latest Editors’ Choice articles can be found at Editor’s Message: The 2024 Editors’ Choice articles | Hydrogeology Journal | Springer Nature Link
Since October 2020, authors must follow United Nations standards for maps and country names. This policy has generally worked well, though some authors decline publication over required changes.
HJ is working with SpringerNature to develop new benefits for IAH members, such as temporary free access, publication-linked incentives, or revised open-access models with targeted discounts.