State Water Project
During the Civil War, William H. Hall served under the U.S. Engineering
Corps. His education and experience as a field engineer, draftsman, and
hydrographer eventually led to his appointment as the first State Engineer
in 1878. He had $100,000 to do a comprehensive study that would improve
navigation and drainage on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, determine
the effects of hydraulic mining, and assess the irrigation needs of the
Central Valley.
The most intensive years of research were conducted from 1878-1883. His
survey team, working from boats, gauged and sounded large portions of
the Sacramento, Feather, and American rivers. They installed an extensive
system of permanent river gauging stations. Irrigation acreages and practices
were recorded.
Their efforts were summarized in five progress reports to the Legislature
from 1878-1882. Impressive in their detail and quantity, the data was
presented in extensive tables, maps, and narratives with cost analysis.
During his term as State Engineer, Hall built a number of navigation improvement
projects for river commerce; gathered information eventually used to end
hydraulic mining, proposed an integrated flood control system for the
Sacramento Valley, compiled an abundance of data on irrigation, and called
for long-range water planning by the State. However, his work suffered
as the Legislature began providing him with less and less funding as some
members questioned his methods and the validity of his investigations.
Hall's proposal to reform the state's system of water rights brought him
the most opposition. He argued for public ownership, regulation, and control
of the State's waterways and against public funding of irrigation works
that he felt should be borne by private irrigation districts.
In 1888, Hall resigned his position after he went through criminal proceedings
for misuse of State funds. He was exonerated and went on to continue his
work as a private consulting engineer to the federal government, California
irrigation districts established under the 1887 Wright Act, and projects
in South Africa and eastern Europe.
Return to the History
of the SWP.