Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968

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Teacher, scientist, private consultant and engineer in the field of irrigation and drainage science. Taught at Utah State University (Logan, Utah).

From the description of Orson Winso Israelsen papers, 1894-1966 (bulk 1935-1960). (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 46440167

Irrigation engineer and drainage specialist. Orson Winso Israelsen was born December 25, 1887 in Hyrum, Utah. Israelsen graduated from the Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah in 1910. He went on to the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University), to study irrigation and drainage engineering. After graduation he enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkley in 1912, and two years later was awarded a M.A. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. Israelsen then returned to teach at the Agricultural College of Utah. In 1925 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. During the course of Israelsen's career he was highly involved with the Utah Agricultural College's agricultural experiment stations and participated in numerous research projects in Utah, the American West, Canada, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Israelsen was the author of hundreds of published works and his 1932 book, Irrigation Principles and Practices, was the classic treatise on the subject with a dozen foreign language translations. Israelsen retired from Utah State University in 1954. He died on May 15, 1968.

From the description of Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs, 1900-1960 (bulk 1920-1950) (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 190916484

Israelsen was a consulting engineer for various water projects in Utah.

From the description of The Orson Winso Israelsen papers. 1939. (University of Utah). WorldCat record id: 174044146

Orson Winso Israelsen was born December 25, 1887 in Hyrum, Utah Territory. During Israelsen's youth he worked on the family farm and attended the local schools in the area. He enrolled in the Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah in 1906 and graduated in 1910. In 1910 he enrolled in the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University) to study irrigation and drainage engineering and graduated in 1912 with a B.S. In 1912 he enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkley. Two years later he was awarded a M.A in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. In 1925 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from the University of California.

In 1914 Israelsen was offered a teaching position at the Agricultural College of Utah (UCA), where he taught until his retirement in 1954. During the course of Israelsen's career he was highly involved with the UAC's Agricultural Experiment Stations and was involved in numerous research projects in Utah, the West, Canada, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Israelsen was the author of hundreds of published works and his 1932 work Irrigation Principles and Practices has become the classic treatise on the subject with a dozen foreign language translations.

About the irrigation field Israelsen explained that "Irrigation is not a sensational science. Its experts don't come up with atom bombs. But through slow step-by-step processes, great men learn to understand basic principles which will make poor land productive and keep rich land rich. Mathematics, chemistry, physics, and hydraulics applied are but a few of the sciences which must be intelligently applied in good irrigation. It is not enough just to ‘wet the land.'"( Forty Years of Sound and Forty Years of Silence, p 129)

In 1928 Israelsen became ill with spinal meningitis which left him completely deaf for the remainder of his life. His consequent reliance upon the written word for communication lends a special value to his work and professional papers. Of necessity, his papers are complete to a degree matched by few other collections of personal and professional papers.

Israelsen died May 15, 1968 in Logan, Utah.

For a detailed account of his personal and professional life researchers should see Israelsen's autobiography Forty Years of Sound and Forty Years of Silence, published in 1968. See Merrill-Cazier Library call # HV2534.I8 A3 or Special Collections call # 920 Is7.

From the guide to the Orson Winso Israelsen papers, 1894-1966, 1935-1960, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

Orson Winso Israelsen was born December 25, 1887 in Hyrum, Utah. During Israelsen's youth he worked on the family farm and attended the local schools in the area. He enrolled in the Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah in 1906 and graduated in 1910. In 1910 he enrolled in the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University) to study irrigation and drainage engineering. After graduation he enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkley in 1912. Two years later he was awarded a M.A. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering and he began teaching at the Agricultural College of Utah. In 1925 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. Israelsen retired from USU in 1954. He died on May 15, 1968 in Logan, Utah.

During the course of Israelsen's career he was highly involved with the UAC?s agricultural experiment stations and was involved in numerous research projects in Utah, the American West, Canada, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Israelsen was the author of hundreds of published works and his 1932 book, Irrigation Principles and Practices has become the classic treatise on the subject with a dozen foreign language translations.

For a detailed account of his personal and professional life researchers should see Israelsen's autobiography, Forty Years of Sound and Forty Years of Silence, published in 1968. See Merrill-Cazier Library (HV2534.I8 A3) or Special Collections (920 Is7).

From the guide to the Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs, 1900-1960, 1920-1950, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. The Orson Winso Israelsen papers. 1939. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Soil and water conservation research in Utah, 1944 / by O. W. Israelsen. Water Resources Collections and Archives
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Second annual Conference of Irrigation and Drainage Research Workers, proceedings, held at Logan, Utah, January 22-24, 1945 / assembled by O.W. Israelsen. Water Resources Collections and Archives
creatorOf Orson Winso Israelsen papers, 1894-1966, 1935-1960 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesUniversity Archives
creatorOf Hansen, Vaughn E. Drainage and irrigation system and management practices : for the plantation in the valley of the Bengo River near Luanda, Angola, Portugese West Africa owned by Companhia da Africa Ocidental Portuguesa (CAOP) / written by Vaughn E. Hansen and Orson W. Israelsen, with contributions from James R. Barker ... [et al.]. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Report of program on water conservation and control, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Western Division, Seattle, Washington, 1925 Dec. 7 and 8 / by O.W. Israelsen. Water Resources Collections and Archives
creatorOf Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs, 1900-1960, 1920-1950 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesUniversity Archives
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Papers, 1894-1966. University of New Mexico, Los Alamos, UNM-Los Alamos Library
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Orson Winso Israelsen papers, 1894-1966 (bulk 1935-1960). Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Important advances in Utah irrigation since 1900 / [O.W. Israelsen]. Water Resources Collections and Archives
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Canal lining experiment, Delta, Millard County, Utah / by O.W. Israelsen. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Depths to which different soils may be wetted by irrigation water / by O.W. Israelsen. Water Resources Collections and Archives
creatorOf Israelsen, Orson Winso, 1887-1968. Orson Winso Israelsen irrigation photographs, 1900-1960 (bulk 1920-1950) Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Hatchtown Dam (Utah)
Cache Valley (Utah and Idaho)
Provo River Basin (Utah)
Utah
West (U.S.)
Utah
Sevier River Basin (Utah)
West (U.S.)
Utah
Lewiston (Utah)
Utah
Nevada
Colorado River Basin
Weber River Basin (Utah)
Salt Lake Basin (Utah)
Paradise (Utah)
Nevada
Utah
Malad River Basin (Utah-Idaho)
Sevier River (Utah)
Hoover Dam (Ariz. and Nev.)
Brazil
Ogden River Basin (Utah)
West (U.S.)
Sevier River (Utah)
Hatchtown Dam (Utah)
Utah
Cornish (Utah)
Utah--Logan
Hoover Dam (Ariz. and Nev.)
Idaho
Subject
Floods
Floods
Floods
Education
Agricultural engineers
Agricultural engineers
Agriculture
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Universities and colleges
Dams
Dams
Dams
Dams
Drainage
Drainage
Drainage
Drainage
Drainage districts
Environmental Conditions
Environment and Conservation
Erosion
Erosion
Flood control
Flood control
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation canals and flumes
Irrigation engineering
Irrigation engineering
Irrigation engineering
Irrigation engineering
Irrigation engineering
Irrigation farming
Irrigation water
Reclamation of land
Reclamation of land
Reclamation of land
Reclamation of land
Reservoirs
Reservoirs
Soil conservation
Soil moisture
Water
Water conservation
Water conservation
Water resources development
Water resources development
Water-storage
Water supply
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1887-12-25

Death 1968-05-15

Americans

English

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