Burleigh, Harry P 1983-02-17
Harry Burleigh discusses the water supply of Texas and the state and federal government agencies set up to regulate it.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Harry P. Burleigh
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: February 17, 1983
Location: Austin, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
United States Geological Society, 1931,
Nebraska,
Dr. Tice,
Quantitative Water Study: West Texas,
Irrigation,
Mapping water tables,
Origin of Ogallala Aquifer,
Public beliefs,
Reality,
Isolation,
Public reaction,
Baker studies, 1915,
Willard D. Johnson,
Irrigation on South Plains, early 1930s,
Pecos, Texas; late 1940s,
Agricultural potential,
Water levels,
Soil quality,
Anderson Clayton operations,
Bureau of Reclamation,
Living conditions in Pecos,
Bureau of Reclamation (again),
Scope of operations,
Water storage, 1950s,
Water supplies,
Water projects,
Primary objectives,
Texas River Authorities,
State sovereignty over water supply,
Mike Strauss
Tape 1, Side 2:
Pecos, Texas (again),
Water,
State control of water,
River Authority (again),
Sovereignty (again),
Bureau's relationship with the state,
Acceptance of state sovereignty,
Bureau of Reclamation (again),
Dam projects,
Water awareness,
River Authority (again),
Public,
Federal cooperation with River Authority,
Water Development Board,
Reasons for appointment,
Texas Water Plan,
Inter-basin Water Transfer,
West Texas water supply,
"Burleigh's Ditch",
Anecdote about similar project in Russia,
Contract work,
Texas Tech and Texas A&M,
Water importation,
Cost,
Energy requirements
Tape 2, Side 1:
Water Importation (continued),
Louisiana and Arkansas,
Mississippi River,
Lower basin study,
George Mahon,
Limitations,
Political,
Land ownership,
Feasibility study,
North American Water and Power Lines,
"McKenzie Projects",
Objections,
Russian engineers and people,
Importance of irrigation on the Plains,
Professional relations with politicians,
Ogallala Aquifer,
Water source,
Irrigation,
Water supply,
Power cost,
Dry land farming,
Duty of water,
Irrigated crops,
Lubbock, Texas, water supply,
Effect on Bailey County's underground water,
West Texans' attitudes
Tape 2, Side 2:
Irrigation (continued),
Energy costs (again),
Dust bowl (1930s),
High Plains,
Lubbock water supply (again),
Survey of levels,
Conservation,
Playa lakes,
Tom McFarland,
Lubbock in the early years,
Original Brazos River Valley,
New Mexico ground water laws
Range Dates: 1892-1983
Bulk Dates: 1930-1983
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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