Sevier River Land and Water Company records

Sevier River Land and Water Company records, 1874-1940

Overview of the Collection

Title: Sevier River Land and Water Company records
Dates: 1874-1940 (inclusive)
18741940
Quantity: 54 tubes, (110 drawings)
Collection Number: UUS_COLL MSS 334
Summary: This collection contains the papers of the Sevier River Land and Water Company and spans the period 1874-1940.
Repository: Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions: No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Incorporated in 1908 and based in Lynndyl, Utah, the Sevier River Land and Water Company (SRL&WC) was one of many speculative companies formed after the passage of the Carey Act of 1894. The law gave private companies permission to construct irrigation systems in the semiarid West and profit from the sales of water from those systems. Companies like the SRL&WC would front money for water projects like canals and reservoirs, then advertise the newly-irrigated land to prospective buyers. The company would then attempt to turn a profit by charging the landowners fees for the use of water originating from company-owned infrastructure. Often several water companies would collaborate to finance the construction of a headgate, pipeline, or dam. In 1913 the SRL&WC entered into an agreement with three other companies concerning ownership of water rights in the Sevier Bridge Reservoir (in Juab and Sanpete Counties). The SRL&WC would own 41%, the Deseret Irrigation Company 26%, the Delta Land & Water Company 17%, and the Melville Irrigation Company 16%. The companies were to share the cost of improvements to the reservoir in the same proportion. By 1920, many of the speculative companies in this region encountered financial hardship, including the SRL&WC. Unable to pay its taxes, the company folded on June 14, 1920.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains the papers of the Sevier River Land and Water Company and spans the period 18741-1940. The bulk of the collection is comprised of land surveys, structural diagrams, and hydrographs produced by the company's surveyors and engineers. The surveys are labeled with an "S," the diagrams with a "D," and the hydrographs with an "H," each followed by an identifying number. Drawings labeled with an "M" (miscellaneous) mainly include drawings done by Leland Callister for various engineering classes at the University of Utah. Leland was the son of Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., a construction engineer for the Sevier River Land & Water Company and the founder of the Pahvant Irrigation Company.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Sevier River Land and Water Company records must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Sevier River Land and Water Company records USU_COLL MSS 334, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 334, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by subject matter.

Acquisition Information

The materials included in this collection were originally passed from SRL&WC construction engineer Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. to his son, Leland Callister. The papers subsequently appear to have been donated to USU, along with some other Millard County materials, by Craig Callister in the 1980s.

Related Materials

For more information about Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. see:

"Thomas Clark Callister, Jr." In History of Utah Since Statehood, v. 4, edited by Noble Warrum, 574-576. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919.

For more information about irrigation companies operating along the Sevier River see:

The Melville Irrigation Company Papers, 1907-1930 COLL MSS 140

Minutes of meetings of the Deseret Irrigation Company, 1913-1934 (COLL MSS 238 no. 102).

Bibliography

Crafts, Dudley. History of the Sevier Bridge Reservoir Delta, UT: DuWil Publishing Co., 1976.Jensen, William R. "Canals and Canards: Three Case Studies of Land and Water Speculation in Utah, 1905-1920." M.A. thesis, Utah State University, 1971.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Surveys, 1901-1936Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
tube
1	S-1: State of Utah index map of lower Sevier River system, Lloyd Garrison	1925
1	S-2: "Original map of unirrigated lands under filing # 296"	undated
1	S-3: Survey of Piute Reservoir, H. S. Kleinschmidt (survey is also a legal document with detail information, and signed by the president of the Otter Creek Reservoir Company)	1908
1	S-4: Pahvant Irrigation Company land surveys of Millard County Utah	undated
1	S-5: Three maps concerning "Valuable farming lands submerged by the enlarged Sevier Bridge Reservoir," Richard R. Lyman & Clarence S. Jarvis, SLC	1914
2	S-6: Land surveys along Sevier River Canal (10+ maps)	undated
3	S-7: "Map of Sevier River from Clear Creek to Rocky Ford Reservoir, Van Dyle & Tracing"	undated
4	S-8: Survey of water levels near Wellington, Leland C. Callister	1935
4	S-9: Survey and affidavit of "Enlarged Sevier Bridge Reservoir"	1909
5	S-10: Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1903
6	S-11: Original Lynndyl Townsite	1913
6	S-12: "Van Dyke of Sevier Bridge Reservoir"	undated
7	S-13: Sevier River Land & Water Company Project map, Millard Co., UT	undated
7	S-14: Sevier River Land & Water Company Project map, Millard Co., UT, Elmer A. Porter	undated
8	S-15: Millard Townsite & Vicinity: Showing Irrigation Systems, Sevier Land & Water Company E. E. Forshay	1909
8	S-16: Maps of land along the Sevier River, Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
9	S-17: "Sevier River from Clear Creek to Rocky Ford Reservoir showing un-irrigatable lands under filing 296"	undated
10	S-18: Surveys of "Delta, Mellville Reservoir"	undated
11	S-19: Affidavit and survey of Fool Creek Reservoir, Sevier River Water & Land Company	1920
11	S-20: Surveys of property ownerships (three maps)	undated
12	S-21: "Map showing amended location of reservoir # 1", Sevier River Water & Land Company	1920
12	S-22: Survey concerning the Sevier River Water & Land Company Project, Elmer A. Porter	undated
13	S-23: Blueprints/surveys/hydrographs of Fool Creek Reservoir	undated
14	S-24: Blueprints/surveys/hydrographs of Fool Creek Reservoir	undated
14	S-25: Survey and affidavit of Otter Creek Reservoir	1901
15	S-26: Sevier River Land & Water Company & Pahvant Irrigation District, L. H. Kimball	undated
15	S-27: Survey and contour map of Fool Creek Reservoir	undated
16	S-28: Surveys of "Delta, Mellville Reservoir"	undated
17	S-29: Survey of Utah State Land Board Piute Project	undated
18	S-30: Map of the McCornick Townsite, Sevier River, Land, & Water Company	1920
18	S-31: Map of Sevier River Watersheds showing locations of weather and gauging, canals and reservoirs, Richlands Irrigation Company	1915
19	S-32: Sevier Canal Company maps of canal and blueprints of the "weir gage"	1922
19	S-33: Affidavit and survey concerning the Sevier River Water & Land Company	1913
20	S-34: Affidavit and survey of Fool Creek Reservoir, Sevier River Water & Land Company	1920
20	S-35: Amended plat map of Lynndyl, Utah, Leland H. Kimball	undated
21	S-36: "Map of the Sevier River Watershed," F. W. Cotternell	undated
21	S-37: "Profile and map of main canal" (20 + maps)	undated
21	S-38: Map/survey of the "Sevier River from Clear Creek to Rocky Ford Reservoir" showing towns and canals	undated
21	S-39: Topographical maps complied by the Sevier River Land & Water Company	undated
21	S-40: Map of the Sevier Bridge Reservoir and Fool Creek Reservoir	undated
22	S-41: Map of the Layton drainage	undated
23	S-42: Surveys of property in sections 11 and 19, Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
23	S-43: Fishlake National Forest, Utah, USDA	1925
23	S-44: "Delta township map showing proposed "sewer mains, outlets, and sundry structures," Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
23	S-45: Survey of reservoir # 1 and 2", Sevier River Water & Land Company	1920
24	S-46: "Map showing land actually irrigated"	undated
24	S-47: Survey of "Township 15 range 5," ( a town along the Sevier River)	undated
25	S-48: Map of electrical lines near Lynndyl, Utah	undated
25	S-49: Survey of Delta High School property holdings, L. C. Callister	1936
26	S-50: Survey of property ownerships	undated
26	S-51: Land Classification Map of Utah, USGS	1931
27	S-52: "Distribution system and canal map," Deseret Irrigation Company	1931
27	S-53: Sevier Bridge Reservoir index survey map	undated
28	S-54: Survey maps of land along the Sevier River (copies of the originals)	1874
28	S-55: Central Utah Water Company Project, Millard County	undated
29	S-56: Survey of the Sevier River showing land owners and property sales	1929
29	S-57: "Sketch of plat damsite and proposed river change for the Sevier River," Sevier River Water & Land Company	1912
29	S-58: Survey of lands	1921
29	S-59: Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1922

Diagrams, 1908-1940Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
tube
30	D-1: Ogden Canyon Pipeline, Ogden City Corporation Engineering Department	1935
31	D-2: "Plans of house at Sevier Bridge Reservoir"	undated
32	D-3: Blueprints, Sevier Dam	1914
32	D-4: "Details of outlet tunnel gates and hoists for Sevier River Bridge Dam," R. R. Lyman	1912
32	D-5: "Details of concrete prop," Sevier River Land & Water Company of Lynndyl, Utah, drawn by E. A. J. (chief engineer)	1919
33	D-6: "Details of Standard County road bridge" (10 maps)	undated
33	D-7: Blueprints for a diversion dam (project goal was to move water from the Sevier River, Juab County) Sevier River Land & Water Company	1918
34	D-8: Blueprints, Sevier Land & Water Company, Salt Lake Iron & Steel Company	undated
34	D-9: Taylor Flat, Power Canal Division Gates	undated
35	D-10: Diagrams, "C. W. W. Co., diversion gates"	undated
36	D-11: "Deseret High Line" Deseret Irrigation Company, Leland C. Callister	1938
36	D-12: "Details of outlet at reservoir # 1", Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
37	D-13: "Repairs to Sevier Bridge Reservoir", T. Clark Callister	1938
37	D-14: Plans for wooden truss bridges of varying lengths	1922-1927
38	D-15: Blueprints concerning the diversion spillway, Sevier River Water & Land Company	1918
39	D-16: "Profile of inverted siphon, Lynndyl, Utah"	1940
39	D-17: Blueprints for Fool Creek Reservoir Dam	undated
40	D-18: "Details of concrete check intake, reservoir," Sevier River Water & Land Company	1919
40	D-19: "Details of brace for the 40' shew truss bridge," near Delta, Utah	undated
40	D-20: "Details of bridge and canal gage," Sevier River Water & Land Company	1917
41	D-21: Blueprints for a dam, Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
42	D-22: Blueprints of "Water Gates," Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
42	D-23: General plans of enlarged Sevier Bridge Dam	1914
43	D-24: Blueprints, Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1915
44	D-25: "Diversion spillway/diversion dam," Sevier River Water & Land Company	undated
44	D-26: Forms for standard 30' span bridge near McCormick, Utah	1927
45	D-27: WPA Project, Lynndyl Siphon	undated
46	D-28: Misc. Diagrams, Sevier River Land & Water Company	1917-1921

Hydrographs, 1908-1927Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
tube
47	H-1: "Hydrograph of Sevier to Vermillion"	undated
47	H-2: Blueprints, hydrograph of Sevier River	1912
48	H-3: Diagram, "Callister Lateral"	undated
48	H-4: Hydrographs of inflow, outflow, diversions, etc., Piute and Otter Creek Reservoirs	undated
49	H-5: "Hydrograph of Lower River"	undated
49	H-6: Taylor Flat lateral	undated
49	H-7: "Main canal profile before enlargement" (located near Parley Basin)	1940
49	H-8: Lynndyl lateral	1908-1918
50	H-9: Taylor Flat lateral	1908-1918
50	H-10: Main Canal	1908-1918
50	H-11: Hydrograph of return flow between Gunnison and Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1916
50	H-12: Delta Point lateral	1908-1918
50	H-13: Hydrograph of inflow to Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1914-1919
50	H-14: Hydrographs of Sevier River from Clear Creek to Sevier Bridge Reservoir	1927
51	H-15: Main Canal	1908-1918
51	H-16: Main Canal	1908-1918

Miscellaneous, 1929-1931Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
tube
52	M-1: Survey of University of Utah land holdings, Arnold Finlayson	1931
52	M-2: Mechanical Engineering class drawings, University of Utah, Leland Callister	1931
52	M-3: Civil Engineering class drawings, University of Utah, Leland Callister	1929
52	M-4: Civil Engineering class drawings, University of Utah, Leland Callister	1929
52	M-5: Civil Engineering class drawings, University of Utah, Leland Callister	1929-1930
53	M-6: Engineering class drawings, University of Utah, Leland Callister	1929
54	M-7: Civil Engineering class drawing, University of Utah, Leland Callister	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Dams--Utah--Sevier River Watershed--Design and construction.
Hydrographic surveying--Utah--Sevier River.
Irrigation canals and flumes--Utah--Maps.
Irrigation canals and flumes--Utah--Sevier River Watershed.
Irrigation engineering--Utah--Sevier River watershed.
Reservoirs--Utah--Sevier River Watershed--Design and construction.

Geographical Names

Juab County (Utah)--Surveys.
Millard County (Utah)--Surveys.
Sanpete County (Utah)--Surveys.
Sevier County (Utah)--Surveys.
Sevier River (Utah)--Maps.
Sevier River (Utah)--Surveys.
Sevier River Watershed (Utah)--Maps.
Sevier River Watershed (Utah)--Surveys.

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