Water Center History Nears Completion

By Steve Ress

It’s been in the making since 1964.

The first-ever published history of the UNL Water Center, dating from its inception under University of Nebraska-Lincoln Conservation and Survey Division director Eugene C. Reed, is nearly complete.

"One of the project’s goals was to have copies available to people at the fifth annual Water Law, Policy and Science Conference in April,” said Water Center director Kyle Hoagland.

It appears that goal will be met after months of digging for information, writing, reviewing hundreds of photographs and personal contact with every living past director of the center.

Hoagland commissioned Water Center communications coordinator Steve Ress and former Water Center administrative assistant Karen Stork to begin the project over a year ago.

"It’s been a marvelous learning experience and I can’t wait to see it in print,” Stork said.

"She’s been a real force in keeping this project focused and moving along,” said Ress. “Karen (Stork) did the vast majority of the research and writing on this project and I think she’s captured both the history and the essence of the center over the last 40-plus years.”

Sections of the book examine the early years of the Water Center, as well as the decades of the 1970’s, 1980s, and 1990’s and into the 21st century. Chapters also detail the Water Center’s accomplishments in the areas of water resources planning and management, service to the public, drought management, hiring of water-related faculty, the Water Sciences Laboratory and special projects and programs such as annual conferences, water tours and seminars, the Burlington Northern study, “MSEA” project of the 1990’s and many others.

Recollections of past directors, in their own words are included as separate chapters.

"The book highlights the center’s contributions to Nebraska and the nation over the last 40-plus years, documenting why the now-established network of state water institutes was created and the unique make-up and accomplishments of our UNL Water Center in particular since the late 1960’s,” Stork said.

It is anticipated that copies of the book will be available by late April. Watch coming issues of the Water Current or go to http://watercenter.unl.edu for more information on how to get a copy.