July 2026, Issue #70
An Invitation for the Next 25 Years
You’re invited. To read a book. To view historic photographs. To come visit, virtually or in person. To send us your thoughts on what we are doing. To donate. To engage with the Water Resources Archive as we begin our next 25 years.
Started on July 1, 2001, the Water Resources Archive has grown impressively over the years. Brought together by our incredible collections, the people—historical figures and forerunners as well as researchers, donors, colleagues, students, partners, and friends—matter most. We have achieved so much only because of the amazing individuals interested in water history and all that can be learned from it.
So we invite you to read on for some reflections on just one area of impact from the past 25 years, as well as a puzzler that recognizes a fiftieth anniversary.
And we invite you to send us your reference questions, tour requests, feedback, inquiries, congratulations, criticisms, or recommendations at any time. Your involvement is essential!
– Patty Rettig, archivist, Water Resources Archive
Reflections on 25 Years:
The Unseen Made Visible
A shelf of books might look pretty standard in a library. Or outdated in our current world.
Yet this particular shelf of books shows the tangible results of collecting and making unique materials accessible. All of the books pictured above used the Water Resources Archive. Which is to say, people seeking to write stories relied on documents the Archive saved and made available. These books represent one aspect of the Water Resources Archive’s societal contribution over 25 years.
Yet these books are just a “drop in the bucket” of creations coming from the Archive, considering their digital equivalents, plus many other items impossible to capture in one photograph: journal articles, blog posts, newsletter articles, conference presentations, term papers, exhibits, films, electronic theses and dissertations, personal research, reports, family genealogies, wall decorations, and more.
They also stand in for the in-progress research of our Water Scholars, for the public programming we produced over the years, the classes we taught, the presentations we gave, the tours we hosted, the exhibits we created. The story of the first quarter century of the Water Resources Archive is one of preserving documentation of Colorado’s water history so that all could learn from it to improve our future.
We could talk about how many collections we’ve acquired (139) or how many digital objects we have online (more than 20,000). We could mention (again) our most used collection, the Papers of Delph E. Carpenter and Family (by one count, three times more used than any other collection), or we could highlight the digital item that has gotten the most use (based on current system statistics): a folder of documents regarding the winter water storage program in relation to the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Who knew?
We have many standout materials and singular achievements. But recall those books on that shelf and everything they represent. Curious people engaged in research, then created sharable sources from which others can learn. They are not static blocks of paper; they are building blocks of knowledge.
Our greatest growth over the last 25 years is the amount and type of research being done. From our very first researcher in August 2001 to the six we had during the last week of June 2026, the Water Resources Archive has had impact. What all can understand about our shared water history has been enhanced by the information resources we have made efforts to save and share.
And yet, that is a pretty small shelf of books. Considering the millions of pages of letters, meeting minutes, diaries, legal briefs, studies, and data, along with many thousands of photographs, maps, engineering drawings, and more, the ongoing research potential embedded in the Water Resources Archive remains inspiring. No doubt our next 25 years—with improved understanding needed of our water past amidst a future of ongoing contention, changing climate, and increasing demands—will be much busier than the previous. We look forward to it.
Water Puzzler
The first—and only—collection ceremoniously donated to the Water Resources Archive was 20 years ago, on the 30th anniversary of a significant water event. Civil engineering consultant Ken Wright brought three boxes to an evening program held July 31, 2006, by Channel 7 News and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Among the presentations, Wright presented the documentation of his study of the natural disaster to the Water Resources Archive. Wright had served as consultant to former governor Richard Lamm and participated in the state’s response to the devastation, stretching from Estes Park to Loveland physically, but far beyond psychologically. These three boxes of notes, letters, studies, images, and aerial photos formed the basis of the Records of Wright Water Engineers, with a number of later additions documenting other of the firm’s projects. The snapshot here is Ken Wright being interviewed in the disaster’s aftermath.
What 1976 event did this donation document?
Celebrate 25 Years with $25
The Water Resources Archive was created through partnerships and supporters. You’re invited to recognize and support our achievements by making a gift of $25. Simply go to our online giving page and select Water Resources Archive from the dropdown menu. Community support furthers our important historical work by funding student assistants, digitization efforts, and travel to acquire collections. Make a difference to water history today!
Water wisdom
The 1976 Big Thompson flood. See digitized images and documents from the Wright Water Engineers collection online.
This electronic newsletter provides updates about the Water Resources Archive. To be added to this distribution list, please email Patty Rettig (Patricia.Rettig@colostate.edu) with your name and a request to subscribe.
This newsletter is created by Patty Rettig
Designed by Demi Connelley
All images courtesy of CSU Libraries Archives & Special Collections