The California Water Atlas

ACC Introduction to GIS students received a special Valentine's treat today. GIS student Virginia Smith brought in an original hard copy version of the California Water Atlas. The Atlas is a detailed, lavishly illustrated description of water and water issues in California. When published in 1979, Charles Wollenberg in the California Historical Quarterly called it "a very big and beautiful book...well-written, spectacularly illustrated, and filled with useful information for expert and layman alike...an indispensable sourcebook for decades to come." Ms. Smith acquired the book while working as a civil engineer for the City of Los Angeles. She also mentioned there is an effort to create a New California Water Atlas with updated information, graphics, and maps. You can see a scan of the Atlas in the David Rumsey Map Collection and a picture of Virginia and the original book below. Thanks Virginia!