A Guide to the Records of
Louie A. Gardella
Collection no. 83-06

Louie A. Gardella

Louie A. Gardella was born on January 8, 1908 on his family's ranch six miles north of Wadsworth, Nevada (on the ranch now known as the S-S Ranch). He was educated in local schools and at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Gardella worked over thirty-three years as a county agricultural agent, first at Pioche, Lincoln County, then in Lyon and Washoe Counties. From 1972 to 1981 he was a real estate agent.

Gardella became Washoe County agent in 1954, retiring in 1968, the approximate period of time covered by this collection of papers. Gardella's expertise as an agent was in drainage, flood control, water management, water use, land leveling, new crop introduction, and livestock. In each of his county assignments he also worked closely with the 4-H Clubs. In addition to his vocational talents, Gardella was a skilled facilitator, able to bring together units as diverse as private land owners, city and county governments, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, in order to accomplish specific projects such as removal of the reefs in the Truckee River at Vista, and drainage of the swampy lands around the Reno Airport. He was a member of many organizations, including the Truckee River Development Committee, Permanent Committee on Reef Removal and Truckee River Clearance Project, and the Tahoe-Verdi Conservation District.

For a more complete biography of Gardella, consult his extensive published oral history completed in 1973: Just Passing Through: My Work in Nevada Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, and Western Water Resources. This book is available in the Special Collections Department and the Oral History Project office at the University of Nevada, Reno.

 

Scope and Content

The papers of Louie A. Gardella were donated to the Special Collections Department in 1983 by Mr. Gardella. The collection consists of 2.5 cubic feet of materials which date from 1939-1980. There are no restrictions on use of the collection.

Arrangement of the collection follows Gardella's original filing system. In the case of the second series, his method was to maintain separate folders of minutes and correspondence. For the remaining series, Gardella intermingled minutes, correspondence, and reports but kept them in chronological order, so that a researcher should have no problem locating desired material.

The bulk of the collection focuses on the acquisition and control of water in the Truckee Meadows area of Nevada from 1950-1976. From a reading of Mr. Gardella's oral history we learn that his knowledge of water issues came from two sources: his childhood experiences on the Gardella family ranch and his practical experience gained over thirty-three years in agriculture as a county extension agent for three counties. The papers in this collection demonstrate how Mr. Gardella used his knowledge for the benefit of the community.

The largest single series in the collection is Series 2, "Vista Water Users Cooperative Association." Series 2 and Series 3, "Vista Water Users Cooperative Association/North Truckee and People's Drain Ditch," are a substantive group of records documenting how a small group of land owners were able to work collectively to improve their water situations. Both series include minutes, correspondence, reports, and maps which document their respective activities. When Series 4, "Reno/Sparks Ditches," is also examined, it is possible to explore the extent to which water ditches meandered through the community and shaped or were shaped by urban development.

This collection also provides documentation on groups in the 1960s and 1970s who desired an active role in determining the future of the Truckee River. Several preservation groups are represented: the Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District, the Truckee River Preservation Committee, and the Permanent Committee on Reef Removal and Truckee River Clearance Project. Series 7, "Water: Articles, etc" includes Gardella's testimony about Senator Pat McCarran's interest in the lower Truckee River and McCarran's efforts in the 1930s to finalize title to land and water rights for non-Indian occupants; water and lands which had formerly belonged to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Gardella discusses how the disputed land and water were utilized during his parents' occupancy in the first three decades of the twentieth century.

The last series in this collection contains a small number of materials about the related topics of soil and air quality preservation. These predominately take the form of reports issued by several governmental agencies.

Arranged by: Susan Searcy
Date: September 5, 1991

 

The papers of Louie A. Gardella are arranged into the following series:

1. Book of Remembrance

2. Vista Water Users Cooperative Association

3. Vista Water Users Cooperative Association/North Truckee and People's Drain Ditch

4. Reno/Sparks Ditches

5. Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District

6. Truckee River Preservation Committee

7. Permanent Committee on Reef Removal and Truckee River Clearance Project

8. Washoe Project

9. Water: Articles, Reports, Miscellaneous

10. Tahoe-Verdi Conservation District

11. Soil and Air Quality.

 

Series 1. Book of Remembrance. 1982. 1 folder.

This series contains the "Book of Remembrance," a genealogical history of the Minetto and Gardella families, written by Louie Gardella. The book includes biographical sketches of various family members, beginning with the generation of both families which immigrated from Italy to Nevada in about 1889; photographs; maps; and genealogical charts.

Box 1

1/1 Book of Remembrance. 1982.

 

Series 2. Vista Water Users' Cooperative Association. 1958-1976. .75 cubic feet.

The Vista Water Users' Cooperative Association (hereafter referred to as the Association) was composed of a group of land and water owners along the lower Truckee River who were organized by Gardella in 1958. The purpose of the organization was to foster and promote the Vista reefs removal and stream bed clearance (Minutes, Nov. 10, 1958). Gardella was not an official member of the Association but served as an advisor and liason between the Association and other governmental entities.

The Vista reefs were a natural rock barrier in the Truckee River east of Sparks where the Truckee Meadows narrows down to the Truckee Canyon at Vista. The nature of the barrier encouraged the build up of river debris and impeded the flow of the river, resulting in the swampy character of the Meadows and contributing to the flooding of the Meadows. Gardella saw that landowners along and those affected by the flooding alone could not legally or financially bring about clearance of the reefs and was able to persuade Washoe County, the Cities of Sparks and Reno, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to cooperate on the project. After the reef removal project was tied to the Washoe Project the costs were then born by the Corps. The project, completed in 1959-1960, removed the reefs, removed the debris, changed the course of the river slightly, deepened the river 4-5' in the vicinity, and increased the flow capacity. Again working cooperatively, Gardella then facilitated a project to lower Steamboat Creek and install the Mapes-Questa drain from the airport to the University Farm, draining the swampy land near the airport.

Included in this series are minutes of the Vista Water Users, correspondence, financial records, maps, mailing and membership lists, reports, proposals, and press releases. Part of the records of the Vista Water Users are also found in the following series, "Vista Water Users/North Truckee and People's Drain Ditch" which remains in the donor's original order.

Box 1

2/1-9 Minutes. 1958-1974.

2/10 Resolutions. 1959; 1969.

2/11-15 Correspondence. Includes agendas, reports, letters. 1958-1967.BOX 1

2/16 Membership and mailing lists. Pre 1966-1969.

2/17 Surveys and estimates, North Truckee-Reno-Sparks Drainage; maps, University Drain-Glendale Drain Project.

2/18 Press releases. 1959-1963.

2/19 Sub-conservancy district legislation. 1963.

2/20 Proposals (included history of the reefs). 1958-1959.

2/21 Ditches.

2/22 Financial records.

2/23 Receipt book for assessments. 1961-1971.

2/24 Bank statements. 1969-1976.

 

Series 3. Vista Water Users' Cooperative Association/North Truckee and People's Drain Ditch. 1950-1971. .25 cubic feet.

The North Truckee Drain Ditch Company was incorporated in 1950 as a reorganization of a previously chartered company of the same name which had ceased operations in 1938. The purpose of the company was to acquire all property rights, including water, water rights, ditches, dams, pipes, flumes, tunnels, etc for the conveyance, drainage and distribution of waters held by the company. The company also owned, operated and controlled the ditch known as the North Truckee Drain Ditch system and intended to enlarge and extend the North Truckee Drain Ditch. Officers were Harold Olsen, George Crose, and V. D'Andrea. A 1969 construction project resulted in a ditch of 14,500' in length and 8' in depth running from Highway 40 to Shadow Lane in Sparks.

The People's Drain Ditch Company was organized about 1899 to collect and direct surface water to benefit the farmers of Sparks. The company turned over its ditch responsibilities and service to the City of Sparks and dissolved in 1970 (their papers were donated to the Nevada Historical Society). Founders of the company were O.C. Ross, R.H. Leigh, R.H. Kinney, James Sullivan, P.J. Kelly, James Gault, George Schaffer, M. Gulling, N.C. Prater, E. Willis, S.W. Bowman, and W.C. Neesham.

The records of these two ditch companies, and some of the records of the Vista Water Users' Association were co-mingled by the donor of the collection and have been retained in their original order. Some minutes of the North Truckee Drain Ditch Company may also be found in Series 4.

Box 1

3/1 Articles of incorporation, minutes, correspondence, reports. 1950-1967.

3/2 Proposal. 1962-1966.

3/3-4 Correspondence, proposals, reports. 1968-1969.

3/5 Correspondence, reports, minutes. 1979-1971.

 

Series 4. Reno/Sparks Ditches. 1922-1972. .25 cubic feet.

At the time Gardella became Washoe County Agricultural Agent there was controversy over the irrigation ditches which ran through the City. The public was alarmed by the drownings of several children in the open ditches and the City of Reno was threatening to bring suit against the ditch owners to force them to cover or fence the ditches. Gardella facilitated a meeting of the presidents of the ditches who then organized a committee to deal with the situation. The result was consolidation of some ditches, closure of eight or ten ditches, and fencing of the remainder by the City.

This series is arranged by titles of ditches. The contents of each file vary but may include a list of ditch owners; sample form granting permission to close, consolidate, or relocate a ditch; correspondence; and notes or minutes of meetings.

Box 2

4/1 Cochrane Ditch. 1957.

4/2 Eastman Ditch.

4/3 Glendale/Stevens Ditch. 1960.

4/4-5 Lake Ditch and Southside Canal Company. 1922-1972.

4/6-7 North Truckee Ditch. 1962-1965.

4/8 Orr Ditch and Water Company. 1939-1966.

4/9 Orr Ditch Extension, Spanish Springs and North Truckee Ditches. 1958-1965.

4/10 Pioneer Ditch. 1965.

4/11 Scott Ranch Ditch.

4/12 Steamboat Ditch.

4/13 Sullivan-Kelly Ditches. 1956-1967.

4/14-15 Zilch Ditch. 1963-1967.

 

Series 5. Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District. 1959-1969. 1 folder.

The Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District is an inter-governmental agency with jurisdiction over water from the Carson and Truckee Rivers. This small series consists of correspondence, resolutions, and water forecasts.

Box 2

5/1 Correspondence, etc. 1959-1969.

 

Series 6. Truckee River Preservation Committee. 1971-1974. 1 folder.

The Truckee River Preservation Committee was organized in 1971 and composed of representatives of the Washoe County Extension Service, Nevada State Parks Commission, Washoe County Planning Commission, Vista Water Users, Nevada Division of Water Resources, Southern Pacific Railroad Company, Trout Unlimited, the Cities of Reno and Sparks, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Reno Evening Gazette. The purpose of the Committee was to protect the river from pollution encroachment and general misuse; develop carefully planned public recreation use of the river banks which did not conflict with the primary purpose of the river or rights of property owners; and to encourage planning and development that took into consideration the protection of the river and its maintenance, flood protection of surrounding lands, and protection of wildlife. Gardella was a member of that committee.

Included in this series are minutes, attendance lists, news clippings, resolutions, and correspondence.

Box 2

6/1 Records. 1971-1974.

 

Series 7. The Permanent Committee on Reef Removal and Truckee River Clearance Project. 1954-1961. 6 folders.

The origins of this Committee are not clear and it may have been part of the Vista Water Users' Cooperative Association. It was formed by land owners along the affected part of the Truckee River and had as its purpose the facilitation of reef removal and cleanup of the river. Once that goal was met, the Committee resolved to continue to function, sponsoring projects of a flood control or water conservation nature. Included are minutes, correspondence, copies of legislation, a mailing list, financial documents, and an Army Corps of Engineers report.

Box 2

7/1 Minutes. 1959-1960.

7/2 Correspondence. 1957-1961.

7/3 Legislation. 1958-1961.

7/4 Mailing list. 1959-1961.

7/5 Accounting. 1959-1961.

7/6 Surveys. Army Corps of Engineers Survey Report, 1938-1954; facts about the Vista Reef Removal and River Clearance Project.

 

Series 8. Washoe Project. 1955-1966. 8 folders.

The goal of the Washoe Project was to develop additional quantities of useable water for western Nevada from the Carson and Truckee River systems. Project boundaries were Washoe, Churchill, and Ormsby Counties, and parts of Douglas, Storey, and Lyon Counties. The original plans called for construction of three dams, of which only two were built: Prosser and Stampede Dams on the Truckee River. Benefits from the project included increased power, irrigation, flood control, municipal and industrial use, and recreation and wildlife. A number of small components were also undertaken, one of which was the removal of the Vista Reefs. The project was completed in about 1970.

Box 2

8/1-2 Correspondence. 1964-1966.

8/3 A Report on the Washoe Project to the Fact Finding Committee. Sept. 1964.

8/4 State laws and legislation.

8/5 Federal legislation.

8/6 Mailing list.

8/7 News clippings.

8/8 Press information kit. ca 1955-1964.

 

Series 9. Water: Articles, Reports, Miscellaneous. 1935-1980. .75 cubic feet.

This series contains a variety of water-related material collected by Gardella as references for his work. They are arranged in no particular order.

Box 2

9/1 "Western Nevada's Water Problems." Nevada Public Affairs, Parts 1 & 2. Nov. and Dec. 1975.

9/2 Ditches: legislation, easements, rights.

9/3 Pamphlets: "Summary of Statutory Procedure in Making Application for a Water Right," 1958. "Water Rights and Soil Conservation," 1957.

9/4-6 United States, Plaintiff, and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Plaintiff-Intervenor, vs Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. Civil Case no. R-1987-JBA, U.S. District Court for the State of Nevada. Findings of fact, conclusions of law, complaints, opening post trail brief.

9/7-9 U. S. and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe vs T.C.I.D. Gardella's testimony and correspondence regarding his testimony. [1975.]

9/10 Lower Truckee Clearance . Pyramid Lake Indian Agency Steering Committee. 1958-1962.

9/11 Facts about the Carson and Truckee Rivers.

9/12 Washoe Council of Governments. Draft, Water Quality Management Plan. Feb. and April, 1978.

9/13 Draft EIS. Master Project Facilities Plan, Expansion of Reno-Sparks Joint Water Pollution Control Plant. Appendices A-D. July 1979.

 

Box 3

9/14 Regional Planning Commission agenda. Discussion: Southeast Truckee Meadows Master plan-drainage and flood management. Sept. 25, 1980.

9/15 Floods and flood control.

9/16 Agreement (blank). U.S. Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. Truckee Storage Project-Nevada. 1935.

9/17 "Evaluation of Water Resources of Lemmon Valley with Emphasis on Effects of Ground-Water Development to 1971." By James R. Harrill. Draft and final copies.

9/18 "A Statement for Consideration of the Task Force, by Louie Gardella. Nov. 12, 1971.

9/19 "Upper Carson River Water Study, Water Year 1976," by J.C. Guitjens, C.N. Mahannah, and L.F. Tuteur.

9/20 News clippings.

 

Series 10. Tahoe-Verdi Conservation District. 1969-1976. 5 folders.

The Tahoe-Verdi Soil Conservation District was created in July 1969 as a state agency; its jurisdiction eventually included the entire Nevada portion of the Tahoe Basin and nearly all of the lands in Washoe County lying north of Washoe Valley and west of Highway 395 to the California-Nevada border. The name was changed in 1974 to Tahoe-Verdi Conservation District. In 1969 the District entered into an agreement with Washoe County to make technical assistance available to the County by interpreting soil surveys; analyzing water disposal, drainage, erosion, and sediment problems and recommending remedial measures; providing opinions on the problems listed above which might develop due to rapid urbanization and land use changes; reviewing survey data to ensure adequacy for design purposes; providing design criteria for conservation project measures; assisting in conducting inventories of resources; and providing planning and design services for the future long range development of the District greenbelts and park areas.

Records in this series include minutes, correspondence, reports, agreements, and pamphlets. The various types of materials are interfiled chronologically.

Box 3

10/1-4 Minutes, reports, correspondence, agreements. 1969-1976.

10/5 Pamphlets from other sources.

Series 11. Soil and Air Quality. 1971-1978. 3 folders.

Materials in this series comprise reports and plans whose goals were to report on and propose methods to improve the quality of the soil and air in the Truckee Meadows. They are arranged in no particular order.

Box 3

11/1 Nevada Soil Conservation Districts. 1971-1974.

11/2 Truckee Meadows Air Quality Implementation Plan. Final technical draft. Nov. 7, 1978.

11/3 State and federal natural resource agencies.