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Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_P0358

Scope and Contents

The Orson Winso Israelsen photograph collection consists of 1495 images that Israelsen used to document his long career as a irrigation engineer and drainage specialist. Included in the collection are images of flooding, laterals, flumes, headgates, culverts, canal and dam construction, water measuring equipment, weirs, erosion, diversions, culverts, reservoirs, and terracing. Most of the photographs were taken in Utah, but many are probably from adjoining states and a few are from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Boxes 1, 2, and 3 contain organized and clearly labeled photographs from various projects relevant to O.W. Israelsen. Some are self-contained and titled projects, while others are loose despite a clear organization. These have been maintained in the arrangement in which they arrived. Photographs and papers in Folders 1-5 were pulled from the Project 211 addendum in MSS Coll 31. The photographs and papers in folders 6-12 were pulled from a binder labeled "Photographs-Engineering-Irrigation" New photograph numbers are consistent with original photograph numbering. The photographs and papers in folders 13-23 were pulled from a binder labeled "O.W. Israelson Utah Agr. Expo Sta Pro. 157 June 5, 1939." The binder had the Utah State Agricultural College seal. Box 4 contains unorganized an unlabeled images from various unidentified projects and trips relevant to O.W. Israelsen. The original order of the photos has been largely maintained, and the folder or envelope in which the photos arrived is clipped to the mylar sleeve. Most of these contain no information of value, and are included only as a matter of organizational reference. Box 5 contains a photo compilation book entitled "Irrigation Projects of Uzbekistan."

Dates

  • Creation: 1900-1960
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1920-1950

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs> must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Orson Winso Israelsen was born December 25, 1887 in Hyrum, Utah. During Israelsen's youth he worked on the family farm and attended the local schools in the area. He enrolled in the Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah in 1906 and graduated in 1910. In 1910 he enrolled in the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University) to study irrigation and drainage engineering. After graduation he enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkley in 1912. Two years later he was awarded a M.A. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering and he began teaching at the Agricultural College of Utah. In 1925 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. Israelsen retired from USU in 1954. He died on May 15, 1968 in Logan, Utah.

During the course of Israelsen's career he was highly involved with the UACs agricultural experiment stations and was involved in numerous research projects in Utah, the American West, Canada, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Israelsen was the author of hundreds of published works and his 1932 book, Irrigation Principles and Practices has become the classic treatise on the subject with a dozen foreign language translations.

For a detailed account of his personal and professional life researchers should see Israelsen's autobiography, Forty Years of Sound and Forty Years of Silence, published in 1968. See Merrill-Cazier Library (HV2534.I8 A3) or Special Collections (920 Is7).

Extent

5 boxes (2.25 linear ft.)

Abstract

1,495 black & white photographic images documenting Israelsen's long career in irrigation and drainage engineering (approximately 1900-1960). Included in the collection are images of flooding, laterals, flumes, headgates, culverts, canal and dam construction, water measuring equipment, weirs, erosion, diversions, culverts, reservoirs, and terracing. Most of the photographs were taken in Utah, but many may be from adjoining states and a few are from Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Arrangement

Arrangement: Topical

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This material was given to USU Special Collections & Archives in two installments. One in July 1968 by Mrs. O.W. Israelsen and the other by the Department of Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering, represented by Dr. A. Alvin Bishop.

Related Materials

Orson Winso Israelsen papers COLL MS 31

Processing Information

Boxes 1, 2, and 3 contain organized and clearly labeled photographs from various projects relevant to O.W. Israelsen. Some are self-contained and titled projects, while others are loose despite a clear organization. These have been maintained in the arrangement in which they arrived. Photographs and papers in Folders 1-5 were pulled from the Project 211 addendum in MSS Coll 31. The photographs and papers in folders 6-12 were pulled from a binder labeled "Photographs-Engineering-Irrigation" New photograph numbers are consistent with original photograph numbering. The photographs and papers in folders 13-23 were pulled from a binder labeled "O.W. Israelson Utah Agr. Expo Sta Pro. 157 June 5, 1939." The binder had the Utah State Agricultural College seal. Box 4 contains unorganized an unlabeled images from various unidentified projects and trips relevant to O.W. Israelsen. The original order of the photos has been largely maintained,and the folder or envelope in which the photos arrived is clipped to the mylar sleeve. Most of these contain no information of value, and are included only as a matter of organizational reference. Box 5 contains a photo compilation book entitled "Irrigation Projects of Uzbekistan."

Register completed by Aleene Jones, January 2007.

Title
Guide to the Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs, 1900-1960
Author
Finding aid created by Aleene Jones, January 2007. Addendum by Cory M. Nani, March 2014
Date
©2014
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • May 31, 2008: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)