History of Diversion Dam Celebrated

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History of diversion dam celebrated http : / /www.blythecanews.com/main. asp ?SectionID= 24 &SubSectionl... VOTE FOR A Search search 11 Great Grocery Buys Palo Verde Valley Times Quartzsite Times Blythe Local Merchant Guide Community Calendar Obituaries Clubs News & Briefs Sports Church Calendar Sports Calendar Bus Schedule Past Poll Results Email Updates Home Subscription Archives Friday Night Football Games home palo verde valley times palo verde valley times Monday, November 26, 2007 11/23/2007 12:58:00 PM Email this article • Print this article History of diversion dam celebrated By Marty Bachman Palo Verde Irrigation District (PVID) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the building of the dam last Monday, with ceremonies at the dam and a dinner at the Colorado River Fairgrounds. Some 150 people attended the plaque dedication at the dam and some 300 attended the dinner party at the fairgrounds. From left: Palo Verde Irrigation District Trustees Jack Seiler, Jill Johnson, Daniel E. Robinson, PVID Board member Bart Gary A. Bryce, Bart Fisher, former trustees John Fisher was the keynote Norton and Robert Micalizio, Board President speaker at the plaque Charles Van Dyke, General Manager Ed Smith and dedication at the dam and he Board Vice - president Duane Berger. honored specific historical figures instrumental in the building of the dam, including surveyor O.P. Calloway, former water director Ed. F. Williams, and former PVID Board President Wayne H. Fisher. In 1873, Calloway, while surveying the valley, recognized it's agricultural potential and recruited Thomas Blythe's investment in the valley. Blythe filed for the first water rights in California to use Colorado River water and over the next three years the original six -mile diversion channel was built. Upon the death of both Calloway and Blythe, most of the work reverted back to pre - development conditions. Williams met Frank Murphy in 1904 and encouraged him to purchase the Blythe estate and refile for water rights to the valley. In 1908, Williams returned to the valley and became active in its reclamation efforts. Over the next 10 years he took responsibility for the formation of the levee and drainage districts and at times served as president of both districts. He also served on the Palo Verde Mutual Water Board, sometimes as presidents. Wayne H. Fisher served 15 years as a PVID Trustee from 1933 -48. Prior to joining the Board, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to give loans to agricultural districts. Fisher, along with Board members L.A. Hauser and Williams, was instrumental in landing an RFC refunding and refinancing loan and in the of 4 11/26/2007 10:52 AM BREAKING NEWS Photo Gallery Valley News Columns Letters to the Editor Last Update 5:53 RM PST Clear ,, 577 "z SSE 5 MPH Search search 11 Great Grocery Buys Palo Verde Valley Times Quartzsite Times Blythe Local Merchant Guide Community Calendar Obituaries Clubs News & Briefs Sports Church Calendar Sports Calendar Bus Schedule Past Poll Results Email Updates Home Subscription Archives Friday Night Football Games home palo verde valley times palo verde valley times Monday, November 26, 2007 11/23/2007 12:58:00 PM Email this article • Print this article History of diversion dam celebrated By Marty Bachman Palo Verde Irrigation District (PVID) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the building of the dam last Monday, with ceremonies at the dam and a dinner at the Colorado River Fairgrounds. Some 150 people attended the plaque dedication at the dam and some 300 attended the dinner party at the fairgrounds. From left: Palo Verde Irrigation District Trustees Jack Seiler, Jill Johnson, Daniel E. Robinson, PVID Board member Bart Gary A. Bryce, Bart Fisher, former trustees John Fisher was the keynote Norton and Robert Micalizio, Board President speaker at the plaque Charles Van Dyke, General Manager Ed Smith and dedication at the dam and he Board Vice - president Duane Berger. honored specific historical figures instrumental in the building of the dam, including surveyor O.P. Calloway, former water director Ed. F. Williams, and former PVID Board President Wayne H. Fisher. In 1873, Calloway, while surveying the valley, recognized it's agricultural potential and recruited Thomas Blythe's investment in the valley. Blythe filed for the first water rights in California to use Colorado River water and over the next three years the original six -mile diversion channel was built. Upon the death of both Calloway and Blythe, most of the work reverted back to pre - development conditions. Williams met Frank Murphy in 1904 and encouraged him to purchase the Blythe estate and refile for water rights to the valley. In 1908, Williams returned to the valley and became active in its reclamation efforts. Over the next 10 years he took responsibility for the formation of the levee and drainage districts and at times served as president of both districts. He also served on the Palo Verde Mutual Water Board, sometimes as presidents. Wayne H. Fisher served 15 years as a PVID Trustee from 1933 -48. Prior to joining the Board, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to give loans to agricultural districts. Fisher, along with Board members L.A. Hauser and Williams, was instrumental in landing an RFC refunding and refinancing loan and in the of 4 11/26/2007 10:52 AM BREAKING NEWS Photo Gallery Valley News Columns Letters to the Editor