Water Resources Directory/USA/History




History of water resources planning edit

Overview of the Harvard Water Program

Is It Time to Resurrect the Harvard Water Program? by Martin A. Reuss PhD, Senior Historian, Office of History, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria, VA., in: ASCE Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, September 2003, Vol. 129 Issue 5, p357-360.



List of Federal laws with planning procedures requirements[1]:

(b/c) indicates inclusion of benefit/cost analysis guidelines.
1808 - Gallatin Report to US Congress (mp) History
Multiple objective - political unity, national defense, economic development of West
Multiple purpose - waterways, canals, roads
1917 - Flood Control Act
1926 - 308 reports for multiple purpose river basin planning studies History
1933 - National Industrial Recovery Act
1934 - Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act (b/c)
1936 - Federal Flood Control Act (b/c)
1944 - Flood Control Act ("municipal and industrial water supply becomes a full project purpose for USACE reservoirs,
as does recreation")History
1950 - “Green Book” (b/c)
1962 - U.S. Senate Document 97 (b/c and mp) ("river basins the preferred planning area; multipurpose planning to be used" History}
1965 - Water Resources Planning Act (b/c)
Level B river basin planning studies
State water plans guidance
1969 - “Blue Book” (b/c)
1972 - U.S. National Water Commission's Panel on Water Resources Planning
1973 - Principles & Standards (b/c, mp) ("NEPA integrated into multipurpose planning")History
1983 - Principles & Guidelines (b/c)

Reviews of Federal Water Resources Planning Procedures

1994 - Galloway Report (Interagency Floodplain Management Review Committee report, directed by Dr. Gerald E. Galloway, Jr.)
1999 - National Research Council
2002 - National Research Council's review of USACE planning procedures [2]


References

  • "An Analysis of Federal Water Resource Planning and Evaluation Procedures" by Gunter Schramm and R.E Burt Jr., June 1970 (Univ of Michigan)
  • Burges, S. (1979). “Water Resources Planning in the U.S.A.: 1776-1976.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 105(1):91-112. American Society of Civil Engineers.
  • Water Resources Update, 2000, Universities Council on Water Resources


History of simulation models edit

  • "In 1953, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) developed a simulation model for the study of six reservoirs on the Missouri River."(Palmer, p.4)