Borland, Whitney McNair.

As a civil engineer with a long and distinguished career, Whitney McNair Borland focused his research on sedimentation, hydraulics, avalanches, and other aspects of hydrology. He was employed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation for over forty years, beginning in November 1930.

Borland was born November 6, 1905, in Holyoke, Colorado, where he grew up in a sod house. In 1928, he received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska. Two years later he earned a Master of Science in the same subject from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned another M.S., this time in civil engineering, from the University of Colorado in 1938. Borland also did some post-graduate work at Cornell University.

During World War II, Borland had a four-year hiatus from work (August 1942-September 1946). He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Army's 10th Mountain Division, an appropriate role for him as he was an avid skier and climber.

Borland worked for the Bureau of Reclamation while it was involved in some of its biggest projects that would have long-term impact on water in the West, including the building of Hoover Dam, Grand Coulee Dam, and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Borland conducted model sedimentation studies for some of these big projects and for many others. He spent several years in Fort Collins conducting these studies, working in the Colorado State University (CSU) engineering lab designed by Ralph Parshall. This work helped establish CSU's reputation as a leader in water research.

Progressing through the ranks in the Denver office of the Bureau of Reclamation, Borland became part of the sedimentation section and was named chief in 1950, remaining in that position for twenty years. Upon leaving the Bureau in 1972, he became a consultant on a number of different projects.

Borland also served for a time in the 1980s as a member of the board of directors of the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. He was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Geophysical Union, and the Colorado Mountain Club, participating in rescue activities and climbing all of Colorado's mountains over 14,000 feet. He was also an avalanche expert, being among the first in the field to really explore the science and physics of snow.

Whit Borland was married to Mina "Dixie" Weaver, who preceded him in death. Mr. Borland died October 2, 2001, in Peoria, Arizona.

From the guide to the Papers of Whitney M. Borland, 1828-1997, 1930-1979, (Colorado State University Water Resources Archive)