California Water Resources Oral History Series

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The Water Resources Center of the University of California established the California Water Resources Oral History Series in 1965, to be carried out by the oral history offices at the Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses. The purpose of the program was to document historical developments in California’s water resources by means of tape-recorded interviews with people who have played a prominent role in this field. The concern of those who drafted the program was that, while the published material on California water resources described engineering and economic aspects of specific water projects, little dealt with concepts, evolution of plans, and relationships between and among the various interested federal, state, and local agencies. To bridge this information gap, the Water Resources Center has provided funding for interviews with individuals who have been observers and participants in significant aspects of water resources development. -- from John Letey's preface to the Howard L. Cogswell interview (2000).

Bound transcripts of these oral histories are preserved and made available to the public by the Water Resources Center Archives and The Bancroft Library, both located on the Berkeley Campus. The following list consists of titles available for viewing at the Water Resources Center Archives (these items do not circulate). They are presented in alphabetical order by the last name of the individual interviewed, with the exception of two topic-based compilations that include multiple interviews: California Water Issues & Save San Francisco Bay Association.

Many of these transcripts have been digitized and are available full-text from the Internet Archive. Follow the hyperlinked titles below to find the full-text transcript online.

Browse this page alphabetically or use your browser's Find command to search for a name or topic. The transcripts are individually cataloged in the Melvyl Catalog.

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Adams, Frank, (1875-1967).
Frank Adams, University of California, on irrigation, reclamation, and water administration / an interview conducted by Willa Klug Baum. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Cultural History Project, University of California, General Library, 1959
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(Also see the Frank Adams Papers , 1889-1962 (35 boxes) held at WRCA.)

Banks, Harvey O. (1910-1966), Director, CA Dept. Water Resources
California Water Project, 1955-1961 : an interview conducted by Gardiner M. Brown, Jr. / by Harvey O Banks ; edited by Gerald J Giefer. Berkeley, Calif. : Statewide Water Resources Center, University of California, in cooperation with the Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, c1967.
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Beard, Daniel P. (b. 1943), Staff Director, House Committee on Natural Resources Resources.
The Passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992: The Role of George Miller (PDF), 1996.
[Not owned by WRCA. Follow url above to view PDF or visit The Bancroft Library to view hard copy.]

Blaney, Harry French (b. 1892). Harry F. Blaney water conservation engineer / interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1963] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1969
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Bodovitz, Joseph E.. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, 1964-1973 : interviews with Joseph E. Bodovitz, Melvin B. Lane, E. Clement Shute, Jr. / interviews conducted by Malca Chall, 1984.
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Bookman, Max. Max Bookman consulting civil engineer / interviewed by Daniel Simms, [1965] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1969.
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Boronkay, Carl. (b. 1929), General Manager, Metropolitan Water District and
Timothy Quinn (b. 1951), Deputy General Manager
The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : the Metropolitan Water District perspective / Carl Boronkay and Timothy H. Quinn ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall in 1997. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1999.
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Broussard, Allen E., 1929-1996. A California Supreme Court justice looks at law and society, 1964-1996 / Allen E. Broussard ; with an introduction by Carl B. Metoyer ; interviews conducted by Gabrielle Morris in 1991, 1992, 1995, and 1996 Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1997
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California water issues, 1950-1966 / interviews conducted by Malca Chall. Berkeley : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, c1981.
(Goodwin Knight/Edmund G. Brown, Sr. Project) Interviews with:
   - Edmund G. Brown, Sr. Attorney general, Governor of California. "The California Water Project: Personal Interest and Involvement in the Legislation, Public Support, and Construction, 1950-1966."
   - B. Abbott Goldberg, Dep. Attorney General, Dep. Director, Dept. Water Resources. "Water Policy Issues in the Courts, 1950-1966."
   - Ralph M. Brody, Attorney, manager of Westlands Water District. "Devising Legislation and Building Public Support for the California Water Project, 1950-1960; Brief History of the Westlands Water District."
   - William E. Warne, Director, Dept. of Water Resources. "Administration of the Department of Water Resources, 1961-1966"
   - Paul R. Bonderson, "Executive Officer, Regional and State Water Pollution and Water Quality Control Boards, 1950-1966."
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Cogswell, Howard L. The Baumberg Tract : from the proposed Shorelands development to the wetlands restoration (Eden Landing Ecological Reserve), 1982-1999 / interviews with Howard L. Cogswell ... [et al.] ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c2000.
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Diemer, Robert B., 1888-1966. Thirty years with the Metropolitan Water District, Robert B. Diemer ; interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1966] oral history transcript / [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1971.
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Stephen W. Downey (1876-1958), Attorney
California Water and Power Attorney, 1957.
[Not owned by WRCA. Visit The Bancroft Library to view hard copy.]

William Durbrow (1886-1958), Manager, irrigation district
Irrigation District Leader, 1958.
[Not owned by WRCA. Visit The Bancroft Library to view hard copy.]

Edmonston, R. M.. Preliminary studies the California water plan / R.M. Edmonston ; interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1966]. [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1974.
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Elder, Clayburn C., 1895-1966. Clayburn C. Elder hydrographic engineer / interviewed by Eric Petersen, [1966] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1969.
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Farrar, Irwin E., 1893-1983. Riverside County water pioneer, Irwin E. Farrar ; interviewed by James V. Mink, [1973]. oral history transcript / [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1974.
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Gianelli, William R. (b. 1919), Director, California Department of Water Resources
William R. Gianelli : The California State Department of Water Resources, 1967-1973 / an interview conducted by Malca Chall in 1985. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, University of California, 1986.
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Gillespie, Chester G. Origins and early years of the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering / Chester G. Gillespie ; with an introduction by Henry J. Ongerth ; an interview conducted by Malca Chall. Berkeley : University of California, Bancroft Library, Regional Oral History Office, 1971
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Golb, Richard K. (b. 1962), Senator Seymour staff
The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : the role of John Seymour / Richard K. Golb ; interview conducted by Malca Chall in 1996. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1997.
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Graff, Thomas J. (b. 1944), Environmental Defense Fund attorney and
David Yardas (b. 1956), Water resources analyst
The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : Environmental Defense Fund perspective / Thomas J. Graff and David R. Yardas ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall in 1994. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1996.
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Harding, Sidney Twichell, (1883-1969), Professor of Irrigation, UC Berkeley.
A life in Western water development [Volume I, Volume II] Sidney T. Harding ; edited by Gerald J. Giefer. Berkeley : Statewide Water Resources Center, University of California in cooperation with the Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, Berkeley, 1967.
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Joel Hedgpeth (b. 1911), Marine biologist
Marine Biologist and Environmentalist: Pycnogonids, Progress, and Preserving Bays, Salmon, and other Living Things. 1996.
[Not owned by WRCA. Visit The Bancroft Library to view hard copy.]

Hinds, Julian, 1881-1977. Western dam engineer, Julian Hinds ; interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1967] oral history transcript / [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1971.
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Jennings, William H., 1899-. William H. Jennings water lawyer / interviewed by Tom G. Hall, [1965] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1967.
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Jensen, Joseph, 1886-1974. Developing California's natural resources, Joseph Jensen ; interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1965 and 1966] oral history transcript / [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1970.
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Lambert, Charles F.. Land speculation and irrigation development in the Sacramento Valley, 1905-1957 / Charles F. Lambert ; an interview conducted by Willa Baum. Berkeley, Calif. : University of California, General Library, Regional Cultural History Project, 1957.
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Langelier, Wilfred F.. Teaching, research, and consultation in water purification and sewage treatment, University of California at Berkeley, 1916-1955 / Wilfred F. Langelier ; with an introduction by Erman Pearson ; an interview conducted by Malca Chall in 1970.
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Leedom, Sam R. (1896-1971), Newspaperman, water project administrator
California water development, 1930-1955 / Sam R. Leedom ; an interview conducted and edited by Gerald J. Giefer. Berkeley : Statewide Water Resources Center, University of California, in cooperation with the Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, 1967
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Leopold, Luna Bergere, (b. 1915), Hydrologist, educator
Hydrology, geomorphology, and environmental policy : U.S. Geological Survey, 1950-1952, and UC Berkeley, 1972-1987 / Luna B. Leopold ; with an introduction by Thomas Dunne ; interviews conducted by Ann Lage in 1990, 1991
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Lowdermilk, W.C. Walter Clay Lowdermilk : soil, forest, and water conservation and reclamation in China, Israel, Africa, and the United States / interview conducted by Malca Chall. Berkeley : the Office?, 1969.
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Maddow, Robert B. (b. 1943), EBMUD Attorney
Water supply, water rights and other legal issues at the East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1972-1993 / with an introduction by Gayle B. Montgomery ; interviews conducted by Germaine LaBerge in 1997. Berkeley, Calif. : University of California, Bancroft Library, Regional Oral History Office, c2003.
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McGauhey, P. H. The Sanitary Engineering Research Laboratory: administration, research, and consultation, 1950-1972 : an interview conducted by Malca Chall. Berkeley, Calif. : University of California, Bancroft Library, Regional Oral History Office, 1974
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McLean, Walter R. (b. 1903), Water resources engineer
From Pardee to Buckhorn : water resources engineering and water policy in the East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1927-1991 / Walter R. McLean ; with an introduction by James V. Zeno ; interviews conducted by Ann Lage in 1991.
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Miller, Byron M., 1912-. Helix water district general manager Byron M. Miller / interviewed by Tom G. Hall, [1965] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1973
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Mima, James, 1924-. James Mima municipal water director / interviewed by Donald J. Schippers, [1966] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1969.
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Nelson, Barry M. (b. 1959), Save the Bay director
The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : Executive Director, Save San Francisco Bay Association / Barry Nelson ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall in 1993. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1994.
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O'Brien, Morrough Parker, 1902-. Dean of the College of Engineering, pioneer in coastal engineering, and consultant to General Electric / Morrough Parker O'Brien ; with introductions by Clark Kerr, Robert L. Wiegel, Gerhard Neumann, and Robert G. Dean ; interview conducted by Marilyn Ziebarth. Berkeley, Calif. : The Regents of the University of California, c1988.
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Packard, Walter E. Land and power development in California, Greece, and Latin America; an interview [with] Walter E. Packard., With an introduction by Alan Temko. Berkeley, Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, University of California, 1970
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The Patterson family and ranch : southern Alameda County in transition. Berkeley : Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, University of California, c1988.
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Peltier, Jason. The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : Manager, Central Valley Project Water Association / Jason Peltier ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall in 1993. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1994.
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Raines, Harold (b. 1901), EBMUD Attorney
Water rights on the Mokelumne River and legal issues at the East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1927-1966 / Harold Raines ; with introductions by John W. McFarland and Frank E. Howard ; interviews conducted by Germaine LaBerge in 1995. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1997
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Rawn, A. M., 1888-1968. A.M. Rawn sanitary engineer / interviewed by Eric Petersen, [1966] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, c1969.
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Reilley, John B. (b. 1916), EBMUD Attorney
Water rights and legal issues at the East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1951-1983 John B. Reilley ; with introductions by John W. McFarland and Frank E. Howard ; interviews conducted by Germaine LaBerge in 1995 and 1996. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1997
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Robie, Ronald B. (b. 1937), Director, California Department of Water Resources
The state Department of Water Resources, 1975-1983 / Ronald B. Robie ; with introductions by William E. Warne, Ruben S. Ayala, Gerald Meral ; interview conducted by Malca Chall in 1988
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Save San Francisco Bay Association, 1961-1986 / with an introduction by Harold Gilliam ; and an afterword by Mel Scott ; interviews with Barry Bunshoft ... [et al] ; interviews conducted by Malca Chall. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, Bancroft Library, University of California, 1987.
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Skinner, Robert A., 1895-. Progress of the Metropolitan Water District recollections / Robert A. Skinner ; interviewed by Eric Petersen, [1966] oral history transcript : [Los Angeles] : Oral History Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1970.
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Somach, Stuart (b. 1948), Attorney
The passage of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 1991-1992 : the Central Valley Project Water Association perspective (PDF) / Stuart Somach ; an interview conducted by Malca Chall in 1998. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1999.
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Whinnery, John R. Researcher and educator in electromagnetics, microwaves, and optoelectronics, 1935-1995; Dean of the College of Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1959-1963 / John R. Whinnery ; with an introduction by Donald O. Pederson ; interviews conducted by Ann Lage in 1994. Berkeley, Calif. : Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, c1996
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Wiegel, Robert L.. Coastal engineering : research, consulting, and teaching, 1946-1997 / Robert L. Wiegel ; with introductions by Rodney J. Sobey and Orville Magoon ; an interview conducted by Eleanor Swent in 1997.
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