California's Water Resources History and the Central Valley Project's First 75 Years

Over the last 150-plus years, California has been a leader in the development of water resources and infrastructure, which have more recently involved transferring scarce water from available sources to needy destinations. The 1930s Central Valley Project involved large dams, lengthy canals, pumping stations, and other important features. It helped turn the Central Valley into one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. This paper traces the important history of California's water resources and infrastructure development; highlights the CVP's origin, planning, design, construction, operation, and recent developments; and focuses on some of the people who made major contributions.