Governor (1957-1965 : Clyde)

This series contains records concerning the Upper Colorado River Project including: correspondence, maps, photographs, planning documents, etc.

The records in this series document the history of the Upper Colorado River Storage Project in the state of Utah, which authorized the construction of reservoir and hydroelectric facilities within the Upper Colorado River Basin.

The authority for the Colorado River Storage Project was founded on the Colorado River Compact of 1922, which divided the states that draw on water from the Colorado River between an upper division and a lower division. The upper division included Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, while the lower division was comprised of Arizona, Nevada, and California. The Colorado River Compact of 1922 was meant to address concerns between the states on how water from the Colorado River would be allocated and managed. The Colorado River Compact has served as the basic framework upon which the "Law of the River" has developed over time.

In 1948, the Upper Basin states entered into the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, and the Upper Colorado River Commission was formed as an administrative agency and tasked with serving as the water master for the Upper Basin states. The Upper Colorado River Commission today is comprised of one Commissioner from each state who is appointed by the governor of said state, as well as one federal Commissioner appointed by the President of the United States.

In 1956 the Upper Colorado River Commission began work on an Upper Basin-wide development plan for the Upper Basin states. This plan grew into the Upper Colorado River Storage Project, and was meant to better utilize each states Colorado River allocation through reclamation, flood control, and hydroelectric power production.

The records in this series document Utah's role in the Upper Colorado River Commission, and the subsequent work that took place in the state through the Upper Colorado River Storage Project. The series contains a variety of records that passed between the Utah Upper Colorado River Commission office and the office of Utah Governor George Clyde. Records include copies of meeting minutes, technical reports, correspondence, memorandum of understanding, publicity material, maps, newspaper clippings, and other assorted documents that detail the planning and work associated with the Upper Colorado River Storage Project. Researchers will find records that detail western reclamation efforts in the mid-20th century, as well as dynamic historical moments in the history of conservation, such as the decision to construct Glen Canyon Dam, as well as efforts to establish Canyonlands National Park.