Seattle Water Department Watershed and Pipeline Aerial Photographs, 1930-1989

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). Water Dept.
Title
Seattle Water Department Watershed and Pipeline Aerial Photographs
Dates
1930-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.0 cubic foot, (5 boxes)  :  Photographic prints  ;  8 x 10 inches
Collection Number
8204-03
Summary
Aerial photographs of Seattle Watershed and Pipeline.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Water Department was created in 1910 from the former Department of Lighting and Water Works. It managed the water supply for the city and most of King County. In 1997 the Water Department was abolished, and its functions were absorbed by Seattle Public Utilities.

Efforts to use Cedar River as a source of water for the City of Seattle were initiated in the 1890s by City Engineer R H Thomson. Water from the Cedar River Watershed was first delivered in 1901. Water was diverted by a dam at Landsburg, and then was channeled into a newly-completed 28.57-mile pipeline. This pipeline carried water to the Volunteer Park and Lincoln reservoirs on Capitol Hill in Seattle, which were also built at the time. In 1909, a second pipeline was built, and a third in 1923.

In response to increased needs by a growing city, the Tolt River was explored as a source of water in the 1950s and the south fork of the Tolt began providing a new source of water supply to north Seattle and the east side beginning in 1964.

In 1962, landowners signed the Cedar River Watershed Cooperative Agreement, which set up a process of land transfers that resulted in Seattle's complete ownership of its watershed lands. This led to further procedures for fire protection and public access control. In 1996, the USDA Forest Service ceded its watershed land to the City, which gave Seattle final and sole ownership of the entire watershed.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These aerial photographs are primarily of the Cedar River and Tolt Watersheds and pipeline, including routes through Seattle, Renton, and Tukwila. Dates included are: 1930, 1970, 1985, and 1989. Index maps are included. The aerials are in order by flight line, roll number, and photograph numbers.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Some photographs are available in the online photograph database; search 8204-03.

Preferred Citation

[Title of image, date. Item number.] Seattle Watershed and Pipeline Aerial Photographs, Record Series 8204-03, Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Photographs are arranged chronologically.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Seattle Watershed and Pipeline Aerial Photographs, 1930-1989Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs of Cedar River Watershed and pipeline right-of-way. Completed in October, 1930 by Fairchild Aerial Survey. Includes 274 prints, 7.5 x 9.25; Scale 1=1500; 1 index map.
1930
2
Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs of Cedar River Watershed and pipeline route (including Seattle, Renton, Tukwila). Includes appoximately 75 prints, 16x 20; scale 1-400. Index map DNR KP-70. Rolls 3-10.
1970
3
Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs of Cedar River Watershed and pipeline route (including Seattle, Renton, Tukwila). Includes appoximately 75 prints, 16x 20; scale 1-400. Index map DNR KP-70. Rolls 11-35.
1970
4
Aerial photographs
Aerials of Cedar River Watershed taken in 1978. On microfiche. Aerial photographs of Cedar River and Tolt River watersheds. Approximately 250 prints; 9x9"; scale 1:12000; 6 index maps, DNR SP-85.
1985
5
Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs of Seattle pipeline route and Cedar River Watershed. Approximately 250 prints, 9x9"; scale 1:1200; 6 index maps, DNR SP-89.
1989

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Pipelines--Washington (State)
  • Water utilities--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Watersheds--Washington (State)

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Water Dept.

Geographical Names

  • Renton (Wash.)
  • Seattle (Wash.)
  • Tukwila (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Aerial photographs

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Lighting and Water Works (creator)