Huber, Walter Leroy, 1883-1960.

Civil engineer from San Francisco, California.

From the description of Some observations concerning the effect of the Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of 1886 on buildings and other structures, 1927. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32139840

Walter Leroy Huber was born in San Francisco in 1883, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and had a career as an engineer of hydroelectric and hydraulic projects. Huber worked as engineer for the University of California's building program, Galloway and Markwart, the U.S. Forest Service, California State Department of Public Works, and the U.S. War Department. In 1913 Huber opened his own engineering office in San Francisco, and in 1941 he took Edward M. Knapik as his partner. Huber was also on the board of directors of the Sierra Club from 1915 to 1948, and was its president from 1925 to 1927.

From the description of Walter L. Huber scrapbooks on hydroelectric and hydraulic projects, and water issues, 1913-1960. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 282014724

Biographical Information

Walter Leroy Huber, the son of Millard Fillmore and Celia (Dill) Huber, was born in San Francisco, California, on January 4, 1883. He attended the public schools of Yolo County, California, and after graduating from Woodland High School, entered the University of California (Berkeley), from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, in 1905.

Mr. Huber obtained his early professional experience in structural design as an Assistant Engineer with John D. Galloway. In 1908, he was appointed Chief Engineer of the University of California's building program by Supervising Architect John Galen Howard. Because of his knowledge of hydroelectric design and his familiarity with the mountains (he led parties which were some of the first to climb the Sierra peaks), in 1910 he represented Galloway and Markwart in surveying for a possible hydroelectric project on the Calaveras River. Also in 1910, he was appointed District Engineer for the United States Forest Service, District no. 5, comprising all of the land area in California and southwestern Nevada which was subject to the jurisdiction of the Forest Service.

Huber's contact with the Sierra Club, John Muir, and his love of the mountains made him an ardent conservationist. Thus, when the Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls region was threatened because of an application for the construction of a dam and hydroelectric power development on the San Joaquin River, Huber called the Sierra Club to help prevent the possible desecration which would result. He arranged for a meeting between Club representatives and Henry S. Graves, Chief Forester, and as Forest Service Engineer, Huber surveyed the area to be preserved. As a result of Huber's foresight, President Taft signed the Proclamation creating the Devils Postpile National Monument on July 6, 1911.

In March 1913, Huber opened his own engineering office in San Francisco. For the next twenty-eight years, Huber operated as sole principal. In 1941, he chose as his partner, Edward M. Knapik, another University of California graduate. The partnership of Huber and Knapik did extensive work for the University of California at Berkeley, Davis, and San Francisco.

Although most active in the structural, hydroelectric, and irrigation areas, Huber undertook special studies in flood control and municipal water supply. He was an authority on earthquake resistance and published works concerning his studies on seismic forces. Concerned also with the utilization of mountain water, Huber acted as consultant for the Nevada-California Power Company and the Southern Sierras Power Company. During WWI he explored and surveyed the Little Colorado River and Service with the State Engineer's Committee preparing the original report for the Central Valley Project. He was consultant for the California Department of Water Resources on the State Water Plan and for the War Department; he was employed by the City of San Francisco in connection with its Cherry Valley Dam and Hetch Hetchy power development; and was consultant on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's American River power development.

On November 11, 1941, Huber was married to Alberta Mann Reed in Los Angeles. In 1954, President Eisenhower named him Advisor to the President on a controversial study of the Arkansas-White-Red River Basins. He also served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of the California Academy of Sciences. For his professional accomplishments, Huber received the Honor Award of the Building Industry Conference Board in 1953.

Walter L. Huber died on May 30, 1960, in San Francisco.

Excerpted from: Memorial Concerning Walter Leroy Huber, 1883-1960, by H. H. Hall and Robert D. Dewell; and, Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. 126, pt. V (1961), p. 27-28.

From the guide to the Walter L. Huber Papers, bulk 1910-1950, (Water Resources Collections and Archives)

Introduction

This is a listing of photographs of dams, reservoirs, and other water-related structures taken by Walter L. Huber. The list supplements our earlier Water resources reports by Walter L. Huber: an annotated listing, Water Resources Collections and Archives Series Report No. 12, May 1962. The materials are in the collection of the University of California's Water Resources Collections and Archives, Berkeley.

All the photos listed here were titled and dated by Mr. Huber. Approximately half of the photos are 4x6 inch prints, the other half are 3-1/2x5 inch. Negatives exist for all photographs.

Walter Leroy Huber was born in San Francisco January 4, 1883. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 1905. A long and varied career as engineer included the following hydroelectric and hydraulic assignments and projects: assistant to John Debo Galloway, Galloway & Markwardt Engineering Firm, 1905-1908; U.S. Forest Service, 1910-1913; the California State Department of Public Works, many projects including San Gabriel Dam No. 1 and Central Valley Project; construction engineer for the California Debris Commission on arch dams; member of the board of construction engineers of the U.S. War Department on flood control projects on the Los Angeles, San Gabriel and Santa Ana Rivers including Prado, Sepulveda, Brea, Fullerton, Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows Dams, and in Central Valley, Isabella, Pine Flat and Iron Canyon Dams; construction engineer for the City of San Francisco on Cherry Valley Dam; regional water consultant, National Resources Planning Board; and special consultant on earthquake resistant design of dams.

The earliest photo is dated September 1911 and the last was taken in August 1953.

From the guide to the Walter L. Huber Photograph Collection, 1911-1953, (Water Resources Collections and Archives)