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Papers of Carl J. Hoffman (1915-2002; bulk 1940-1968) 4.5+ lin. ft.
Hoffman Finding Aid (17KB)
Carl J. Hoffman (1908-2004) was a CSU civil engineering graduate (1932) who spent thirty years working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation designing dams and spillways. His accomplishments include helping to design the Hoover Dam and the Grand Coulee Dam, as well as many smaller dams throughout the West. The collection includes engineering books, manuals, design data, reports, notes, memoranda, maps and project design summaries. focusing especially on small dams.
Papers of Marvin D. Hoover (1957-1975) 0.25 lin. ft.
Hoover Finding Aid (11KB)
Marvin D. Hoover (1916-2003) served as a hydrological researcher in Colorado for several decades, beginning in 1953. These papers illuminate his work concerning the water supply of Colorado Springs and his later involvement as an environmental consultant on water-storage issues for Fort Collins. Document types include correspondence, reports, notes, clippings, streamflow data, and two maps.
Papers of Charles W. Howe (1942-1998) 9.25 lin. ft.
Howe Finding Aid (58KB)
Charles W. Howe, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Colorado-Boulder and director emeritus and currently faculty research associate at the Environment and Behavior Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Boulder, has focused his research on environmental and natural resource economics with emphasis on water resources, including water resources development, water rights, and river basin and watershed management. He frequently contributed his expertise in water issues as a consultant in the United States and overseas. Howe provided assistance and testimony in two legal cases, El Paso v. New Mexico and the Pecos River Compact (Texas v. New Mexico), the latter came before the Supreme Court. He also consulted on a number of international projects, including those in Gambia, Botswana, and Kenya. The collection contains papers, background material and publications related to this work, including transcripts and other information from the legal cases.
Irrigation Research Papers (1912-1959) 28.5 lin. ft.
Beginning in 1912, irrigation material from a variety of sources was compiled by Ralph L. Parshall (1881-1959), inventor of the Parshall Flume and trailblazer in the fields of civil engineering and hydrology. This collection encompasses research by a wide range of investigators, including Carl Rohwer, who served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Irrigation Investigation Section, William E. Code, a notable groundwater researcher, and Parshall himself. Materials include reports, tables, charts, manuscript drafts, articles, and photographs related to irrigation research and experimentation.
Records of the Iliff and Platte Valley Ditch Company (1884-1997) 8.25+ lin. ft.
IPV Finding Aid (60KB)
The collection contains the financial and business records of the Iliff and Platte Valley Ditch Company which was established in 1884 and irrigated land in Logan County, Colorado. IPV was typical of many irrigation companies in Colorado and the West in that a group of investors pooled their resources to form the company and raised revenue by selling shares of stock to irrigators. The collection includes several old ledger books with articles of incorporation, meeting minutes, stockholder information, cancelled stock certificates, cancelled checks and payment information, tax and insurance records.
Papers of Marvin E. Jensen (1964-2003) 15 lin. ft.
Marvin E. Jensen (b. 1926) is a civil engineer and consultant involved in management of water resources, especially within the Colorado River system. This collection includes his professional files concerning work on the Lower Colorado River Accounting System, as well as other materials documenting his service with the Bureau of Reclamation on the assessment of water use by the Imperial Irrigation District of California. Materials include correspondence, drafts, and reports relating to water use and consumption.
Papers of Harvey Johnson (1907-1996) 0.5 lin. ft.
Harvey Johnson (1895-1991) was president of the Water Supply and Storage Company for 40 years. He was involved in the company's construction of Grand Ditch and several other diversion and storage projects. During the 1980s, he presided over the acquisition of nearly half the company's stock by the city of Thornton, Colorado. Johnson also served as mayor of Fort Collins from 1963 to 1967, during which time he was active in improving the city's water infrastructure. This collection consists of materials documenting his life and work, including a biography draft, newspaper clippings, correspondence, oral history transcripts, and photographs.
Larimer County District Court Map Collection (1884-1953) 306 maps
Larimer County Finding Aid (161KB)
The Larimer County (Colorado) District Court Map Collection contains maps of water-related structures used to establish water rights and settle water disputes in district courts. The maps provide information regarding water adjudication and water litigation in the first half of the twentieth century. The information on some of the more comprehensive maps offer details about the physical description, capacity and water source of large canals, ditches, reservoirs and wells. Collectively they represent the large number of irrigation-related structures that existed in Larimer and parts of Weld counties during this time period.
Local Water Resources History Collection (1897-1985) 0.25+ lin. ft.
This collection is created from miscellaneous items received. Some are from CSU's Department of Civil Engineering, including photographs of the Bellevue Hydraulic Laboratory and a DVD of photos of Daryl Simons in Bangkok. There is also an 1897 map of Sanborn Draw Reservoir in Weld County, Colorado.
Papers of Richard D. MacRavey (1968-2006) 3.5 lin. ft.
Richard D. "Dick" MacRavey (b. 1931) served the Colorado Water Congress for 26 years, after becoming the organization's executive director in 1979. He was influential in state water politics throughout his career, championing certain initiatives while working to defeat those with which he disagreed. MacRavey was involved in legislation affecting a range of Colorado water issues, including water quality, storage, administration, and municipal supply. This collection consists of commemorative paintings, inscribed books, and videotapes.
David McComb Big Thompson Flood Collection (1976-1985; bulk 1976-1978) 6 lin. ft.
Big Thompson Finding Aid (44KB)
On July 31, 1976, the Big Thompson Canyon, just west of Loveland, Colorado, was the scene of a flash flood which claimed 144 lives. The collection consists of oral histories of witnesses of the flood, and photographs, slides, audio tapes, newspaper clippings, and other material Dr. McComb used when researching for his book Big Thompson: Profile of a Natural Disaster.
Papers of Edwin W. Mogren (1963-1999; bulk 1973-1996) 2 lin. ft.
Mogren Finding Aid (28KB)
Dr. Edwin Mogren (1921-2001) was a professor in the College of Forestry at Colorado State University from 1948 to 1986 and upon his retirement was appointed Professor Emeritus. While teaching at CSU, he also served as a consultant and expert witness on several legal water cases. This collection consists of many of the professor's field notes, data, maps, graphs, correspondence, photographs and reports related to the litigation he was involved with during the 1970s and 1980s. Additional materials await processing.
Papers of the National Water Resources Association (1932-1974) 7.5 lin. ft.
NWRA Finding Aid (170KB)
The National Water Resources Association (NWRA) is comprised of the water users of seventeen western states. It was known as the National Reclamation Association from 1932 until 1970. J. R. "Bob" Barkley served as the Colorado Director of the NWRA from 1966 to 1974, when he became its president. The collection includes papers from the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy Board and the personal files of Barkley while he served on the National Reclamation Association (1934-1969), the NWRA (1970-1974), the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy Board (1937-1942) and other water related committees. Document types include meeting minutes, photographs, publicity, speeches, reports, periodicals, correspondence and memoranda.
Papers of Carl F. Nordin (1961-1997) 21 lin. ft.
Carl F. Nordin (1929-1998) was a part-time professor and consultant of engineering at Colorado State University from 1984 until his death. He worked on research projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Highway Administration and was also a technical adviser to the Egyptian government. From 1953 to 1973, Nordin was also the project director for the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. The collection consists of slides, photographs, reports, correspondence, maps, graphs and other documents relating to his research in civil engineering.
North Poudre Irrigation Company Oral History Collection (1992-1994) 0.5 lin. ft.
NPIC Finding Aid (13KB)
The North Poudre Irrigation Company has supplied water in northern Colorado for over one hundred years. Incorporated in 1901, the company founded the sugar-beet farming community of Wellington in 1903 and currently manages more than 22 storage reservoirs and approximately 200 miles of ditches. This collection consists of eleven oral histories from company officials, without transcripts, recorded from 1992-1994 as part of a contracted project to manage the current and historic records of the NPIC. It reflects the history of this local irrigation enterprise and the evolution of agricultural and municipal water use in northern Colorado.
Papers of James L. Ogilvie (1889-1992; bulk 1955-1980) 16 lin. ft.
Ogilvie Finding Aid (54KB)
James L. Ogilvie (1911-1995) had a long and fruitful career with the United States Bureau of Reclamation in the field of irrigation and water management. He worked successfully on the Colorado-Big Thompson project and was the Project Manager for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project in southeast Colorado. The collection contains professional files related to Ogilvie's career as well as desk diaries, which serve as a guide to his daily activities, and photographs.
Ralph L. Parshall Collection (1902-1992; bulk 1921-1961) 3 lin. ft.
Parshall Finding Aid (61KB)
Ralph Leroy Parshall (1881-1959), engineer, contributed significantly to the field of irrigation engineering with the development of a flow-measuring device that became commonly known as the Parshall flume and continues to be widely used today. Materials in the collection include Parshall’s patent on his “Venturi flume water stage recording instruments,” awards that Parshall received, publications, copies of talks he presented on KOA radio in Denver, and a number of lantern slides depicting flumes, weirs, plans, and various graphs and tables. The collection contains some materials related to Parshall’s son, Maxwell Parshall, as well as to Carl Rohwer, also from the Irrigation Investigation Section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also see the virtual exhibit: Father of the Flume.
Records of the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, Inc. (1980-2000) 65+ lin. ft.
The Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust is an organization dedicated to preserving migratory bird habitat along reaches of the Platte River in Nebraska. Established in 1978, the Trust manages land and water resources, conducts research, purchases land and water rights, and takes legal action to protect physical and hydrological resources important to migratory bird habitat. This collection consists mainly of legal documents, especially related to the case Nebraska v. Wyoming, some of which are currently restricted. Other items include reports, maps, slides, and photo negatives.
Records of the Poudre River Trust (1891-2006; bulk 1984-2004) 11.5+ lin. ft.
PRT Finding Aid (57KB)
The Poudre River Trust was established in 1984 to guide development and activity along the Poudre River corridor. The organization has been active in promoting the river's recreational amenities, historical significance, fish and wildlife habitat, and mixed-use development along the Fort Collins riverfront. The trust has also collaborated with a wide range of local and national agencies, government and private, to bring attention to the river's historic heritage and to establish plans for its overall use and development. Collection materials include agendas, articles, brochures, clippings, correspondence, minutes, reports, maps, photographs, and audio/visual materials.
Records of the Rocky Mountain Hydrologic Research Center (1933-1995) 4.5 lin. ft.
RMHRC Finding Aid (39KB)
Chesley J. Posey founded the Rocky Mountain Hydraulic Laboratory in 1945 in Allenspark, Colorado. The laboratory served as a summer residence for students and professionals interested in water experiments. In 1991, the laboratory's name changed to the Rocky Mountain Hydrologic Research Center. The collection consists of documents created in relation to the Center's meetings, operations, research and other activities. Materials include minutes, agendas, correspondence, tax forms, receipts, bank statements, notes and publications.
Papers of Theodore M. Schad (1959-1973) 9 lin. ft.
Theodore M. Schad (b.1918) was executive director of the U.S. National Water Commission and spent his career working on national water resources development and policy. During the 1950s, Schad served as budget examiner for all government water programs, including the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Panama Canal. He later became staff director to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on National Water Resources (1959-1961) and was named executive director of the seven-member National Water Commission (1968-1973). This collection consists of reports and publications regarding national water policy and law.
Papers of Daryl B. Simons (1933-1995) 39.5 lin. ft.
Simons Finding Aid (198KB)
Daryl B. Simons is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of hydraulics, hydrology, geomorphology, river mechanics, sediment transport and hydraulic modeling. His innovative teaching and research while professor of civil engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) and his supervision of hundreds of water-related projects around the world have contributed to this international reputation. Materials in the collection relate to many of the organizations Simons worked for, including the U. S. Geological Survey; CSU; Simons, Li and Associates; and Simons and Associates. A small representation of Simons' numerous publications is also in the collection as are files related to some of Simons' research projects. Those best documented concern the Mississippi River and Pakistan/Bangladesh. Predominant material types include reports, articles, books, proposals, correspondence, data, notes, clippings, and photographic materials. Some student files are restricted. Additional materials await processing.
Papers of Gilbert G. Stamm (1952-1987) 9 lin. ft.
Stamm Finding Aid (107KB)
Gilbert G. Stamm (1911-1989) is best known for his appointment and service as Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation between the years of 1973 and 1977. Stamm spent over thirty years educating the public on water issues and promoting reclamation projects throughout the United States. The Papers of Gilbert G. Stamm contains speeches, information on the Bureau of Reclamation projects, photographs and slides of projects, and printed material about Stamm and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Papers of Rollin Q. Tenney (1882-1928) 0.5 lin. ft.
Tenney Finding Aid (15KB)
Rollin Q. Tenney's (1838-1932) irrigation expertise was recognized with an appointment as one of Colorado's water commissioners in 1893. The materials in the collection cover Tenney's time as water commissioner as well as his activities related to ditch companies and irrigation districts in Northern Colorado. Document types include correspondence, legislation, reports, maps, clippings, notes, financial papers and one book.
Colorado Water Conservation Board Papers of Herbert Vandemoer (1958-1992) 12+ lin. ft.
Vandemoer Finding Aid (43KB)
Herbert H. Vandemoer, resident of Sterling, Colorado, was a geographic appointee to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) from 1964-1985, representing the South Platte River Basin. The CWCB was formed in 1937 as a state agency to aid in the protection and development of waters in the state. It is a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The collection consists of documents created largely in relation to CWCB meetings and projects. Materials include agendas, minutes, correspondence, reports, publications, blueprints and bylaws.
Colorado Water Conservation Board Papers of David Walker (1965-1988) 1.5 lin. ft.
Walker Finding Aid (15KB)
David Walker was a Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The CWCB was formed in 1937 as a state agency to aid in the protection and development of waters in the state. It is a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The collection consists of documents created largely in relation to CWCB meetings and projects. Materials include reports by the Colorado Water Congress and reports concerning the Union Avenue Boat By-Pass in Englewood.
Water Resources Artifacts Collection (1900-1975) 7 lin. ft.
This collection contains artifacts received from various donors. Included are water level recorders and a Thacher Calculator.
Water Supply and Storage Company Collection (1907-1991; bulk 1973-1991) 1+ lin. ft.
WSSC Finding Aid (19KB)
The Water Supply and Storage Company (WSSC) was incorporated in 1891 to serve irrigators in the Cache la Poudre valley. In 1986, the city of Thornton purchased substantial stock in the company, which has subsequently provided water for both municipal and agricultural purposes. The bulk of the collection was produced during a records management project conducted on the company's behalf between 1981 and 2000, and includes oral history audiotapes, transcripts, company histories and timelines, system maps, and one photograph.
Papers of Ivan Wood (1872-1978) 13+ lin. ft.
Ivan D. Wood was an irrigation engineer who served on the board of the United States National Committee, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. This collection consists of books, drawings, photographs, reports, slides and oversized items related to irrigation and engineering.
Records of Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (1948-2006; bulk 1976-1977) 5.5+ lin. ft.
Wright Finding Aid (34KB)
Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (formerly Wright-McLaughlin Engineers), with Kenneth R. Wright its chief engineer and special consultant to Governor Lamm following the Big Thompson flood disaster of July 31, 1976, played a key role in the response to, analysis of and recovery from the flood. On August 5th Governor Lamm appointed Wright as his special consultant to coordinate county and state resources and assistance for maximum efficiency. The collection contains papers, minutes, reports, newspaper clippings and correspondence that document the activities of various individuals and groups primarily in the two years following the disaster, as well as the complex interactions of individuals and state and local entities. Aerial photographs, photographs and maps also document the areas impacted by the disaster.
Papers of Vujica M. Yevjevich (1951-1985) 1.5+ lin. ft.
Yevjevich Finding Aid (29KB)
Vujica M. Yevjevich (1913-2006), a native of Yugoslavia, was a professor, lecturer, consultant, and researcher of hydrologic engineering. Yevjevich taught in Colorado State University's engineering department from 1960 until his retirement in 1979. The collection contains notes, essays, correspondence, graphs, maps and technical information on his work in hydrology, mostly international in nature.