Water and Water Rights

The Western States Water Council develops programs among the western states to integrate planning by state, federal, and other agencies concerning the states' water resources. Records include executive council minutes, annual reports, federal and state legislation regarding state water rights; position papers; reports; and correspondence between council member Eugene Marsh of Oregon and other WSWC officers.

This collection contains photographs and slides likely received and compiled by Chris L. Wheeler (1927-2013) during the time he served as state engineer of Oregon from 1962-1975. The bulk of the photographs depict the Tumalo Irrigation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon, from 1913-1915. Other photographs, color slides, and albums depict state and private irrigation efforts in Oregon from approximately 1910-1925, and dams and reservoirs in Oregon from 1950-1967.

Oral history interview with Norman K. Whittlesey, conducted by Clark Hansen on October 25, 1999, as part of the Columbia River Dissenters Oral History Series. Whittlesey discusses his research on the economics of hydroelectric energy production and irrigation projects in the Columbia River Basin. He describes responses to the conclusions of his research, subsequent budget cuts to irrigation projects, and retaliation he experienced.