William H. Nelson papers on Colorado Water

Collection

Identifier: CMU-SC-001

Staff Only

Contents of the collection

The William H. Nelson papers on Colorado Water cover issues related to the Colorado River watershed, with an emphasis on the Western Slope. Materials include correspondence, photographs, government documents, press releases, brochures, publications, newsletters, and other documents related to the management of water in the Colorado River basin from the 1860s to the 1990s with the majority of the content focused on the 1940s into the 1980s. The material focuses heavily on Bureau of Reclamation water projects, especially the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) and the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Legal battles over water rights between the Eastern slope and the Western Slope of Colorado as well as between the Federal government and the states figure heavily as well. Other topics covered include water quality, stream salinity, and hydrological forecasting using snowpack.

Dates

Creation: 1860-1993
Creation: Majority of material found within 1940-1985

Creator

Nelson, William H. (Person)

Access to the collection

Open for research in Tomlinson Library Special Collections and Archives. Please make an appointment at archives@coloradomesa.edu to ensure staff availability.

Use of material in the collection

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 Colorado Mesa University, Tomlinson Library, its administrators, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Biographical Note

William H. Nelson was born May 2, 1917 in Grand Junction, Colorado. His parents were Clarence H. Nelson, a saddle maker and salesman, and Minnie W. Nelson. Nelson attended Grand Junction State Junior College (now Colorado Mesa University) and transferred to the University of Colorado to complete his Bachelor’s degree, graduating in 1940. Nelson began working for The Daily Sentinel in June 1935, writing on a variety of topics but with an interest in Colorado water. Governor Edward C. Johnson appointed Nelson to the Colorado Water Conservation Board where he served ten years through the governorship of Stephen McNichols.

He was known for his accurate reporting on water and conservation issues and won several awards for his writing and for his activism within the community. In particular, he received a Citizen's Award from the United States Department of the Interior for his writing on water issues, his membership on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and his involvement in other water projects and organizations.

His civic involvements included the Goodwill Industries Board (president), the Grand Junction High Band and Orchestra Parents, and the Colorado West Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, a journalistic organization.

He married Edith F. Liley in 1946. He retired in May 1982, ending a forty-seven-year career with The Daily Sentinel. He died in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1994. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is buried in the IOOF cemetery in Mesa County.

Extent

30 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Summary

The collection contains correspondence, articles, brochures, press releases, government documents, newsletters, photographs, and other material related to the Colorado River and the management of its waters from the 1860s to the 1990s.

Arrangement

Materials are believed to be in original order. Actions taken during initial processing are unknown.

Separated Materials

Publications from the collection are being cataloged and added to the book collection in Special Collections and Archives. A list with associated call numbers will be provided after cataloging is complete.