Guide to the Duane L. Georgeson Papers

Special Collections & Archives

University Library

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8326

URL: https://library.csun.edu/SCA

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: Duane L. Georgeson Papers

Creator: Georgeson, Duane L., 1935-

Identifier/Call Number: URB.DLG

Extent: 8.18 linear feet

Date (inclusive): 1959-2011

Abstract: Duane L. Georgeson worked as a civil engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Metropolitan Water District. The Duane L. Georgeson Papers document his 53-year career working as an engineer with water and water systems in Los Angeles, during which time he worked to improve and impact water policies and procedures in Southern California, contributing to the political and economic water climate currently in place today.

Language of Material: English

Biographical Information:

Duane Georgeson was born in Maddock, North Dakota in 1935. When he was ten years old he moved with his family to the San Fernando Valley. He enrolled at the University of California Los Angeles in 1953, graduating in 1957 with a degree in engineering. Having an interest in Civil Engineering, he applied for a job with the California Department of Water and Power (DWP) soon after graduation. He was hired in 1959, and within six months was promoted to a Civil Engineering assistant.

He was continuously promoted throughout his career with DWP, most notably being promoted to Head of Engineering two months before a major earthquake hit Los Angeles in 1971. He eventually became Chief Engineer of Water Works and Head of Water Systems. In 1990 he transferred to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, (MWD) as Assistant General Manager. He remained with MWD for several years before becoming an outside water systems manager. He retired in May of 2012.

Scope and Contents

The Duane L. Georgeson Papers documents the career and influence of Duane L. Georgeson throughout his professional career with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Metropolitan Water District. During his 53 years working as an engineer with water and water systems, Georgeson influenced many important factors regarding the water policies and procedures of Southern California, contributing to the political and economic water climate currently in place today. The collection includes articles, correspondence, reports, maps, pamphlets, flyers, advertisements, and photographs. It consists of four major series: Los Angeles Water Supply (1924-2009), International Water Policy Files (1978-1997), Conferences and Professional Associations (1970-2009), and Personal Files (1966-1995).

Series I, Los Angeles Water Supply, contains materials focusing on water sources and water systems for Los Angeles County. This includes material on the Owens Valley, Mono Lake, and the State Water Project. The series consists of articles, reports, pamphlets, maps, presentation materials, advertisements, correspondence, photographs, and other materials documenting Georgeson's involvement with Southern California water issues and legislation. The series has been divided into four subseries: From Existing Sources (1960-2006), Owens Valley and Mono Lake (1924-1993), California State Water Project (1948-2009), and Newspaper Clippings (1972-1989), all of which are filed alphabetically, with the exception of Newspaper Clippings which is filed chronologically.

Series II, International Water Policy Files, documents Georgeson's work as a water consultant in foreign countries. Additionally, it contains reports and guides for different water infrastructure and their corresponding locations, as well as materials he collected in preparation for and during his travels as he reviewed international water systems. The series includes booklets, maps, photographs, flyers, reports, correspondence and other documentation regarding global water systems and policies. Materials are filed alphabetically.

Series III, Conferences and Professional Associations, documents the special issues and topics pertaining the water systems and legislation in which Georgeson was involved. It includes documentation regarding the different professional associations Georgeson belonged to, as well as the different water and water systems conferences he attended. This series documents Georgeson's extensive involvement with water special interest groups including, the American Water Works Association, the Colorado River Association and the Aqueduct Association. This series contains photographs, correspondence, minutes, flyers, reports, booklets, and articles regarding Georgeson's outside involvement with water current events. The materials are filed alphabetically.

Series IV, Personal Files, documents the personal details of Georgeson's life and career as he advanced professionally and became an authority in his field. This series includes his personnel folder with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and documents his achievements and correspondence with influential professionals and staff members. It includes correspondence, photographs, plaques, certificates, and articles pertaining to Georgeson's accomplishments and is filed alphabetically.

Arrangement of Materials:

Series I: Los Angeles Water Supply, 1924-2009

Subseries A: From Existing, 1960-2006

Subseries B: Owens Valley and Mono Lake, 1924-1993

Subseries C: California State Water Project, 1948-2009

Subseries D: News Clippings, 1972-1989

Series II: International Water Policy Files, 1978-1997

Series III: Conferences and Professional Associations, 1970-2009

Series IV: Personal Files, 1966-1995

Electronic Format:

Digital reproductions of selected items in this collection are available electronically as a part of the Water Works project.

Related Materials:

Cataloged materials from this collection are available in the Library Catalog .

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Duane Georgeson. 12/12/2012.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Processing Information:

Sara Pacheco, 2013

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Documents

Photographs

Series I: Los Angeles Water Supply, 1924-2009

Subseries A: From Existing Sources, 1960-2006

Box 1, Folder 1

Aqueduct Division Schedule of Operations, 1986-1989

Box 1, Folder 2

Aqueduct Operations, 1989-1990

Box 1, Folder 3

Aqueduct Reports, Photos and Publications

Box 1, Folder 4

Briefing Notes for Proposed Rate Increase, 1977

Box 1, Folder 5

California Municipal Utilities Association Water Rate Survey, 2006

Box 1, Folder 6

City of Glendale (Public Service Division), Annual Report, 1991-1992

Box 1, Folder 7

City of Los Angeles: Board of Water and Power Commissioners, 1969-1973

Box 1, Folder 8

City of Los Angeles: Board of Water and Power, 1977-1980

Box 1, Folder 9

City of Tucson: Historical Average of Services and Usage, 1978-1987

Box 1, Folder 10

Confidential Memorandum on Safe Yield of San Fernando Basin, 1960

Box 1, Folder 11

Daily and Monthly Sewer Flows, 1989

Box 1, Folder 12

Department of Water and Power, Annual Report, 1989-1991

Box 1, Folder 13

Department of Water and Power, Annual Report, 1999-2000

Box 1, Folder 14

Department of Water and Power, Water Works Reserve Bonds, Issue of 1987

Box 1, Folder 15

Department of Water and Power Telephone Directory, 1968

Box 1, Folder 16

Drafts and Fragments of Water Reports

Box 1, Folder 17

Earthquake: preliminary report, 1971

Box 1, Folder 18

Earthquake: preliminary report, 1971

Box 1, Folder 19

Earthquake: correspondence and reports, 1971-1972

Box 1, Folder 20

Earthquake: correspondence and reports, 1971-1972

Box 2, Folder 1

Earthquake Emergency Report, 1971

Box 2, Folder 2

Earthquake, Fire and the Van Norman Dam Evacuation, 1972

Box 2, Folder 3

Earthquake Impact on Dams, 1970-1972

Box 2, Folder 4

Earthquake Impact on Dams: photographs and cards, 1970-1972

Box 2, Folder 5

Earthquake: Los Angeles Reservoir and Water Supply Disaster Relief, 1972

Box 2, Folder 6

Earthquake: Los Angeles Reservoir and Water Supply Disaster Relief, 1972

Box 2, Folder 7

Earthquake: Los Angeles Reservoir and Water Supply Disaster Relief, 1972

Box 2, Folder 8

Earthquake: Lower San Fernando Dam Slope Stability Analysis, 1966

Box 2, Folder 9

Effect of February 1971 Earthquake: report, 1971

Box 2, Folder 10

Emergency Water Conservation Plan, 1977

Box 2, Folder 11

Energy Services: Department of Water and Power, Report and Financial Statement, 2001

Box 2, Folder 12

"From a Directors Note-books": excerpt and correspondence, 1969-1993

Box 2, Folder 13

Finance and Accounting System Report, 1990

Box 2, Folder 14

Groundwater and Surface Water in Southern California, 2000

Box 2, Folder 15

Groundwater Pumping and Spreading Plan, 2002-2007, 2003

Box 2, Folder 16

Hyperion Historical System Flaws: fact sheet, 1971-1988

Box 2, Folder 17

Information about Proposed Changes in Water Rates, 1972

Box 2, Folder 18

Irrigation Water Consumption in 100CF Billing Units

Box 2, Folder 19

Kanouse, Edgar L.: Taxes and Revenue for Department of Water and Power, correspondence, 1986

Box 2, Folder 20

Local Water Use in Fiscal Year, 1988-1989

Box 2, Folder 21

Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board: correspondence, 1969

Box 2, Folder 22

Los Angeles Scroll, 1989

Box 2, Folder 23

Los Angeles Water Supply: an update, 1977

Box 2, Folder 24

"Managing Water to Promote Conservation," Roundtable Journal AWWA, 1986

Box 2, Folder 25

"Medium Frequency Plants by BCC: A Success Story", 1987

Box 2, Folder 26

Metropolitan Water District: 75th Anniversary Photobook (reproduction) and Commemorative Magazine, 2003

Box 3, Folder 1

Metropolitan Water District: political paperwork and correspondence

Box 3, Folder 2

Metropolitan Water District Preferential Rights: reports and correspondence, 1984-1999, 2005

Box 3, Folder 3

Metropolitan Water District: revenues and expenses, 1989-1994

Box 3, Folder 4

Plan to Protect Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley Groundwater, presentation, 1984

Box 3, Folder 5

Proposed Aqueduct Operations, 1989-1990

Box 3, Folder 6

Proposed Public Water Supply for New York City and Westchester County

Box 3, Folder 7

Proposed Water Rate Increase, Financial documents, 1989

Box 3, Folder 8

Receipts and Expenditures: Water Revenue Fund, 1993

Box 3, Folder 9

Report on Los Angeles: National Board of Fire Underwriters, File No.122, 1964

Box 3, Folder 10

Reservoir Storage Graphs, 1976-1977, 1987

Box 3, Folder 11

Salary Information

Box 3, Folder 12

San Francisco Water and Power: booklet and map, 1967

Box 3, Folder 13

Sewer Flows vs. Water Demands: graphs, 1984-1989

Box 3, Folder 14

Statistical Report for Fiscal Years, 1962-1971

Box 3, Folder 15

Supply and Demand Schedule Estimated, 1989-1990

Box 3, Folder 16

Water Consumption, 1987-1988

Box 3, Folder 17

Water Politics: clippings, photographs, and documents

Box 3, Folder 18

Water Politics: clippings, photographs, and documents

Box 3, Folder 19

Water and Power Commissioners Survey of Department of Water and Power: overview, 1989

Box 3, Folder 21

Water Rates fixed by Department of Water and Power, 1984

Box 3, Folder 22

Water Resource: reports and correspondence, 1978-1982

Box 3, Folder 23

Water Resources: management presentation, 1979

Box 3, Folder 24

Water System Charge: graph, 1986-1992

Box 3, Folder 25

Water System Financial Forecast, 1971, 1976-1986

Box 3, Folder 26

Water System Report: San Fernando Valley Master Plan for Water Supply, 1964

Box 4, Folder 1

Water Treatment Report, 1985

Box 4, Folder 2

Water Use: Supply and Major Storage Reservoir Operations, Runoff Years, 1971-1990, 1989

Box 4, Folder 3

Water Systems Report: Master Plan for Water Supply, 1966

Box 4, Folder 4

Water Treatment Unit: monthly report, 1996

Box 4, Folder 5

Watermaster Service in Upper Los Angeles River, 2004

Box 14, Folder 1

San Francisco Water Before and After 1906 Earthquake, 1972

Subseries B: Owens Valley and Mono Lake, 1924-1993

Box 4, Folder 6

Efforts vs. Mono Lake Stabilization Level

Box 4, Folder 7

Georgeson, Duane L. "Operations in Mono Basin", 1978

Box 4, Folder 8

Georgeson, Duane L.: statements regarding operations in the Mono Basin, 1978

Box 4, Folder 9

Inyo and Mono Counties Report on Water Situation, 1931

Box 4, Folder 10

Kahrl William L. "The Politics of California Water." California Historical Quarterly

Box 4, Folder 11

Kahrl, William L. "Water and Power": excerpt, 1981

Box 4, Folder 12

Memo and correspondence, 1986

Box 4, Folder 13

Minimum lake levels, 1984

Box 4, Folder 14

Mono Basin Booklet: Department of Water and Power, 1981

Box 4, Folder 15

National Audubon Society vs. The Superior Court of Alpine County, 1983

Box 4, Folder 16

Owens River at Keeler Bridge, 1989

Box 4, Folder 17

Owens Valley Groundwater Litigation, 1977

Box 4, Folder 18

Owens Valley Newsletter "Where the Trail of the Wrecker Runs" (reprint)

Box 4, Folder 19

Quinn, Tom: testimony, 1993

Box 4, Folder 20

Runoff, Charts and graphs, 1990

Box 4, Folder 21

Selected Articles and Clippings

Box 4, Folder 22

Selected Articles and Clippings

Box 4, Folder 23

Stan Jones Boating and Exploring Map

Box 4, Folder 24

"The Troubled Waters of Mono Lake," National Geographic (copy) Vol. 160, No. 4, 1981

Box 5, Folder 1

Water Supply for Los Angeles from Owens Valley and Mono Basin: report, 1924

Box 14, Folder 2

Bumper Sticker and Calendars, 1991-1993

Box 14, Folder 3

"Owens Valley Parched Oasis," National Geographic, draft, 1975 August 22

Subseries C: California State Water Project, 1948-2009

Box 5, Folder 2

A Plan to Transport Surplus Water: booklet, 1963

Box 5, Folder 3

Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation v. State of California Water and Power, 2008

Box 5, Folder 4

Analyses of Water Delivery Contract between State of California and Metropolitan Water District, 1961

Box 5, Folder 5

Analyses of Water Delivery Contract between State of California and Metropolitan Water District, 1961

Box 5, Folder 6

Annual Progress Report to Legislature, 2004

Box 5, Folder 7

Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife: hearing, 2009

Box 5, Folder 8

Asset Purchase Plan Screening

Box 5, Folder 9

Bay-Delta Draft Pollutant Policy Document, 1989

Box 5, Folder 10

Bolsa Island Nuclear Power and Desalting Plant Agreements

Box 5, Folder 11

Cain Ranch Guest House, 1948-1970

Box 5, Folder 12

CalFed Bay Delta Program: Training Report, 2001

Box 5, Folder 13

California Cooperative Water Surveys and Water Forecast Update, 1990

Box 5, Folder 14

Castaic Lake Contract Amendments, 2000

Box 5, Folder 15

Central Valley Project, 2011

Box 5, Folder 16

Central Valley Project: Reform Legislation, 1992

Box 5, Folder 17

Central Valley Project: Water System Revenue Boards, 1998

Box 5, Folder 18

Coachella Valley Water District Annual Review, 1990-1991

Box 5, Folder 19

Costs of Supplemental Water

Box 5, Folder 20

Delta Water Rates, 1994, 1999, 2000

Box 5, Folder 21

George, Duane L.: statement regarding water and power resources, 1987

Box 5, Folder 22

"Hill Irate Over Corps-Budget," Engineering News Record, 1998

Box 6, Folder 1

Inyo County: articles and correspondence, 1977-1988

Box 6, Folder 2

Inyo County: documents and reports, 1977-1988

Box 6, Folder 3

Kahrl, William (Bill): Water and Power, Chapter 8 with notes from Duane L. Georgeson

Box 6, Folder 4

Kahrl, William (Bill): Water and Power, Chapter 8, with notes from Duane L. Georgeson

Box 6, Folder 5

Kern Water Bank Water Project

Box 6, Folder 6

Los Angeles Water and Energy Resource Needs: a presentation, booklet and badge, 1982

Box 6, Folder 7

Metropolitan Water District Board Workshop: State Water Project, 2009 April 28

Box 6, Folder 8

Metropolitan Water District and Department of Water and Power Contract (A-L), 2005

Box 6, Folder 9

Metropolitan Water District and Department of Water and Power Contract (M-Z) with appendix, 2005

Box 6, Folder 10

Monterey Amendment (No.25) to Metropolitan Water District and Department of Water and Power, 1995

Box 6, Folder 11

Monterey Contract Amendment, Section 2, 1999

Box 6, Folder 12

New Water Plan for Southern California, 1985

Box 6, Folder 13

Northern California Power Agency: Financial Advisory Presentation, 2009

Box 7, Folder 1

Off Aqueduct Power Facilities: correspondence and reports, 1985, 1990

Box 7, Folder 2

Oroville Facilities: documents and booklets, [1994]

Box 7, Folder 3

Possible Blueprint for Southern California Water Supply, [1985]

Box 7, Folder 4

Reservoir Storage Report, February 1990

Box 7, Folder 5

Runoff and Shortages Bar Graph, 1976-1977, 1987

Box 7, Folder 6

Sacramento Water Resources Notes

Box 7, Folder 7

San Bernardino v. Metropolitan Water District Settlement Conference Notes, 1999 October 31

Box 7, Folder 8

San Diego Water Authority: correspondence, 1983-1984

Box 7, Folder 9

San Diego County Water Authority: Historical Perspective Presentation, June 2000

Box 7, Folder 10

Shortages in State Water Project, 1982 September 10

Box 7, Folder 11

Senate Bill No. 1445: three booklets, [1984]

Box 7, Folder 12

Snake Colorado Project: booklet, October 1963

Box 7, Folder 13

Southern Water Committee: information packet

Box 7, Folder 14

State Water Contractors: roster and membership information, 1998 October 14

Box 7, Folder 15

State Water Project Order for 1990, 1989 September 1

Box 7, Folder 16

State Water Project: presentation and CD, 2000 June 15

Box 7, Folder 17

State Water Project Water Delivery Risk Analysis for 1990, 1989 December 27

Box 7, Folder 18

Statement of Principles: Contractors and Department of Water Resource, 1999 December 9

Box 7, Folder 19

Taxes and Preferential Right, 1989, 1998

Box 7, Folder 20

Transitional Water Program: Phase 2 Amendments, June 2000

Box 7, Folder 21

Water Atlas Project: correspondence and reports, 1978

Box 7, Folder 22

Water Deliveries: Mid-Pacific Region Projects

Box 7, Folder 23

Water Resources Task Force Report, May 1967

Box 7, Folder 24

Water Resources Task Force: minutes, correspondence and press release, 1967

Box 7, Folder 25

Water Service Contract: documentation, 1993-1994

Box 7, Folder 26

Water Supply Reports, 1990-1991

Box 7, Folder 27

Water Supply Reports, 1990-1991

Box 7, Folder 28

Wodraska, John: Address to Water Policy Committee regarding San Diego, 1995 July 13

Box 13, Folder 1

San Francisco Water and Power Booklet and Map, September 1967

Box 14, Folder 4

Presentation Materials, 1980

Subseries D: News Clippings, 1972-1989

Box 8, Folder 1

Undated

Box 8, Folder 2

1972-1978

Box 8, Folder 3

1974-1978

Box 8, Folder 4

1979

Box 8, Folder 5

1980

Box 8, Folder 6

1981

Box 8, Folder 7

1981

Box 8, Folder 8

1982

Box 8, Folder 9

1983

Box 8, Folder 10

1986-1988

Box 8, Folder 11

1984-1985

Box 8, Folder 12

1989

Box 13, Folder 2

1984-1985

Box 13, Folder 3

1989

Series II: International Water Policy Files, 1978-1997

Box 8, Folder 13

Australia: booklets and correspondence

Box 8, Folder 14

Adelaide, Australia: booklets and reports

Box 8, Folder 15

Melbourne, Australia, 1984

Box 9, Folder 1

Brazil: correspondence and programme, September 1988

Box 9, Folder 2

Business Cards and List of Associates

Box 9, Folder 3

British Columbia, Canada: report and business card, January 1991

Box 9, Folder 4

Hong Kong, China: booklets and correspondence, 1978

Box 9, Folder 5

France: booklets, correspondence, and maps

Box 9, Folder 6

Hamburg, Germany: program articles and reports, 1988

Box 9, Folder 7

Greece: notes and presentation transcription and translation

Box 9, Folder 8

Japan: booklets, pamphlets and reports

Box 9, Folder 9

Japan: articles, invitations, pamphlets, postcards and maps, October 1984

Box 9, Folder 10

Budapest, Hungary: booklet, August 1993

Box 9, Folder 11

Mexico: correspondence and contract information, 1988 August 3

Box 9, Folder 12

Netherlands: correspondence, 1992 April 29

Box 9, Folder 13

Photographs and Passport

Box 9, Folder 14

Russian Federation: articles, correspondence and pamphlets, 1997

Box 9, Folder 15

Switzerland: articles and booklets, 1987

Box 9, Folder 16

Thailand: correspondence

Box 9, Folder 17

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), business cards, correspondence and pamphlets, 1988

Box 10, Folder 1

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), business cards, correspondence and pamphlets, 1988-1989

Box 10, Folder 2

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), business cards, correspondence, documentation, pamphlets and photographs, 1990

Series III: Conferences and Professional Associations, 1970-2009

Box 10, Folder 3

American Water Works Company Annual Reports, 1995-1998

Box 10, Folder 4

American Water Works Company Annual Reports

Box 10, Folder 5

American Water Works Association: membership list and Invitation, 1970 April 1

Box 10, Folder 6

American Water Works Association Research Foundation: articles, photographs and reports

Box 10, Folder 7

American Society of Civil Engineers, CA: pamphlets, history and biography, [1964], 2000

Box 10, Folder 8

California Municipal Utilities Association, 2009

Box 10, Folder 9

Environmental Policy Institute, 2003

Box 10, Folder 10

International Water Supply Association (IWSA): schedule and correspondence, 1988

Box 10, Folder 11

New York State Consulting: correspondence and reports, 1995

Box 10, Folder 12

New York State Consulting: reports, 1990-1995

Box 10, Folder 13

Various Annual Reports, 1995, 1999

Box 11, Folder 1

Various fragments: flyers, papers, and correspondence

Box 11, Folder 2

Visions of a Sustainable World: program, October 1991

Series IV: Personal Files, 1966-1995

Box 11, Folder 3

Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies

Box 11, Folder 4

Correspondence, cards, and photographs

Box 11, Folder 5

Personnel File

Box 11, Folder 6

Personnel File

Box 11, Folder 7

Promotion Notices and Congratulations

Box 11, Folder 8

State Governors Commemorative Certificate and Thank You, 1990

Box 11, Folder 9

University of California Student Honors

Box 12, Item 1

Outstanding Civil Engineering Alumni Award, 1991

Box 12, Item 2

California's Outstanding Young Civil Engineer, ASCE, 1966

Box 13, Item 1

Edward J. Cleary Award, 1993

Box 13, Item 2

Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation, 1988

Box 13, Item 3

American Water Works Association Research Foundation Appreciation Award, 1992-1995

Box 13, Item 4

American Water Works Association Honorary Member Plaque, 1994