Whitney M. Borland and the Bureau of Reclamation, 1930-1972

Whitney McNair Borland was born November 6, 1905, in Holyoke, Colorado, and died in Peoria, Arizona, on October 2, 2001. He began his career with the United States Bureau of Reclamation ~USBR! in 1930, and in 1972 he retired from the bureau after distinguishing himself throughout the world in the sedimentation field. Within the bureau USBR he was known as “Mr. Sediment” in research, planning, construction, and operation and maintenance of irrigation, hydroelectric, and municipal water projects. Whit’s education began with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, both in mechanical engineering. While working for the USBR, he obtained a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado in 1938. Whit’s career in the USBR spanned two periods, one from 1930 until 1942, and a second after World War II from 1946 to 1972. Whit served with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II ~from 1942 to 1946! where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.