History ETDs

Publication Date

5-4-1978

Abstract

Clair Engle, the flamboyant Congressman from California's mountain-valley Second Congressional District, played a key role in the great water and power controversies of the 1950's. As Chairman of the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee (1955-1959), he placed his brand on all natural resource development legislation of the period. His interest in water development stemmed from representing a congressional district which contained the source of most of California's water supply. From the 1940's to the 1960's Engle authored every major addition to the great Central Valley Project of California, including such projects as the American River Development, Trinity River project, and the San Luis project. As a consequence, Engle exerted a significant role in the economic development of the Central Valley and the reclamation west.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Donald Colgett Cutter

Second Committee Member

Richard Nathaniel Ellis

Third Committee Member

Ferenc Szasz

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Download

Included in

History Commons

Share

COinS