Ogilvie, James L.

James L. Ogilvie had a long and fruitful career with the United States Bureau of Reclamation in the field of irrigation and water management. He worked successfully on the Colorado-Big Thompson project and was the Project Manager for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project in southeast Colorado.

Born January 4, 1911, on the family farm in Weld County, Colorado, James Ogilvie attended the State Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) and earned a Civil Engineering degree in 1933. After graduating, he found employment with the Bureau of Public Roads (now the Department of Transportation), surveying areas for new roads. In 1938, he embarked upon his career with the Bureau of Reclamation, where his responsibilities included collecting, surveying, and planning design data.

Ogilvie continued this work until called to military duty during World War II. From 1942 until 1946, he served with the Aviation Engineer Battalion of the Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific, helping to construct a major airport and base in New Guinea. After an honorable discharge as a Lieutenant Colonel, he returned to the Bureau of Reclamation in Colorado.

At the Bureau, his responsibilities steadily grew. He worked successfully on the Colorado-Big Thompson project and performed office engineering, contract administration, budgeting and reporting duties. This was followed by Denver regional office work that included activities in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas. Subsequently, he became Assistant Regional Director with responsibility for major programs and staff functioning in a four-state area. When the Bureau began planning for the multi-million-dollar Fryingpan-Arkansas Project in southeast Colorado, the Bureau named Ogilvie the Project Manager. For this work he subsequently earned the agency's highest recognition for excellence, the Distinguished Service Award.

After retiring from the Bureau in 1970, James Ogilvie continued to focus his attention on the water needs of Colorado. He worked with the Denver Board of Water Commissioners as its manager and oversaw the implementation of water policies affecting the Denver area until his retirement in 1980.

Ogilvie was also active in other Colorado organizations. He served on the Denver Regional Transportation District Board, held leadership positions with the Denver Chamber of Commerce, and participated in the Denver Rotary Club. He also maintained close ties with Colorado State University, conducting several guest lectures and serving on the Dean's Council Board of Directors for the College of Engineering. His Alma Mater recognized his outstanding service to the state and the school by designating him an Honor Alumnus in 1992.

James Ogilvie was married to Freda (nee Schank) in 1934. They raised two sons, James Thomas, a doctor, and David Allen, a lawyer. James Ogilvie died in Denver on November 13, 1995.

From the guide to the Papers of James L. Ogilvie, 1889-1992, 1955-1980, (Colorado State University Water Resources Archive)