U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Project histories , 1923-1956

Overview of the Collection

Creator
United States. Bureau of Reclamation
Title
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Project histories
Dates
1923-1956 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 linear feet, (2 containers)  :  2 record storage boxes
Collection Number
Bx 063
Summary
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was created in 1902 because of mounting pressure for the federal government to develop water resources. The collection contains Bureau of Reclamation project histories for Boise, Columbia Basin, Owyhee, and Yakima.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

In July of 1902, Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock established the United States Reclamation Service (USRS) within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In 1907, the USRS separated from the USGS to become an independent bureau within the Department of the Interior.

As settlers moved west across the United States, complicated water laws and increasing demand for water resulted in mounting pressure for the Federal Government to develop water resources. In the jargon of the day, advocates called irrigation projects "reclamation projects." The concept was that irrigation would "reclaim" or "subjugate" western arid lands for human use.

[Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation website: http://www.usbr.gov/history/2011NEWBRIEFHISTORYV1.pdf]

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains Bureau of Reclamation project histories for Boise, Columbia Basin, Owyhee, and Yakima.

The Boise project histories contain material from 1923-1925, 1940, 1944, 1948, 1951-1955.

The Columbia Basin project histories contain material from 1947.

The Owyhee project histories contain material from 1935-1939, 1940-1941, 1949, 1950, 1952-1956.

The Yakima project histories contain material from 1935-1937.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Water resources development--Idaho
  • Water resources development--Oregon
  • Water resources development--Washington (State)

Corporate Names

  • Boise Project, Idaho and Oregon (U.S.)
  • Columbia Basin Project (U.S.)
  • Owyhee Project (U.S.)
  • United States. Bureau of Reclamation
  • United States. Bureau of Reclamation. Yakima Project

Form or Genre Terms

  • Project files