Contact Water Resources Center Archives 410 O'Brien Hall University of California Berkeley, CA 94720-1718 Phone: (510)642-2666 Fax: (510)642-9143 Email WRCA Library Hours Summer 2008: May 26 - August 24 »Monday-Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM »CLOSED Weekends & Holidays (5/26 and 7/4) »CLOSED August 1

Mission | History | Travel Grant | Administration | Directions

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Water Resources Center Archives (WRCA) collects, preserves and provides access to historical and contemporary water-related materials that support the instructional and research programs of the University of California and the needs of the people of the State.

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HISTORY

WRCA was founded in 1958 when a special act of California Legislature established the California Water Resources Center to function as a University-wide organized research unit dealing with the state's water resources problems. UC Berkeley coastal engineers and professors Morrough P. O'Brien and Joe W. Johnson are primarily responsible for establishing the Archives on the Berkeley campus.

In the early years, Archives staff traveled the state, visiting water agencies, engineering firms, libraries, and individuals to explain their mission to document the development of water resources in California and the West. Among the earliest items collected were the files of engineers who had worked in the field between 1900 and 1950.

The Archives soon became the repository for limited-edition reports generated by engineering firms and local water agencies, reports that were not being acquired by any other library. Much of this early material consists of technical and scientific reports dealing with the "quantitative" issues such as levees and floods, building of dams, and water withdrawal for irrigation and municipal use. By the 1970s, with the environmental movement gaining national prominence, "qualitative" water issues had emerged, and the Archives collections grew to include more materials from social scientists. In recent decades the work of environmental groups has had a significant impact on water issues in California, and the Archives has added their records to its collection.

Today the collection consists of more than 140,000 technical reports, 1,500 specialized newsletters, and over 5,000 maps and videos. In addition, WRCA manages more than 125 manuscript collections, with 25,000 black-and-white photographs that document the development of water in California and the West, and more than 45,000 coastal aerial photographs. WRCA serves students, faculty, and staff of the University of California as well as hydrologists, engineers, historians, lawyers, scientists, and the general public--anyone with an interest or stake in water issues.

The first librarian, Gerald Giefer, was hired in 1959 and served until his retirement in 1991. Linda Vida, who took over after Giefer retired, is only the second Head Librarian in the WRCA's history.

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TRAVEL GRANT

WRCA offers a travel grant to UC students interested in doing research at WRCA as part of water-related research projects. The travel grant consists of a one-time award of up to $300 for travel to UC Berkeley. This amount may cover air and/or ground transportation and one night's lodging. Original receipts must be submitted to WRCA for reimbursement within 10 days of travel.

/ Eligibility: Graduate students & upper-division undergraduate students researching water-related topics who are currently registered at one of the following UC campuses: Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Davis, UC Santa Cruz, or Merced. Note that two weeks advance approval and consulatation with a WRCA Librarian are required.

Simply fill out the Application Form (pdf) and mail or fax it to WRCA.

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ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDING

WRCA is a division of the U.C. Center for Water Resources, located on the University of California, Riverside campus.

Laosheng Wu, Interim Director
Rubidoux Hall-094
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521-0436
Phone: (951) 827-4327
Fax: (951) 827-5295
laosheng.wu@ucr.edu

The UC Center for Water Resources is a multi-campus research unit organized as a part of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

WRCA is located in 410 of O'Brien Hall on the University of California, Berkeley campus. See the map of campus libraries. (Note: O'Brien Hall's map location is B4) Elevator and wheelchair access is available.

Directions to campus - driving and public transportation. Please call 510-642-2666 for directions to the library and see Frequently Asked Questions for information regarding parking.

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