Title: Agassiz Centre for Water Studies fonds.

Dates: 1966-1983.

Extent: 5.6 m of textual records.

Administrative history: The Agassiz Centre for Water Studies was established in 1968 to assist and coordinate the interdisciplinary study of water resources and utilization in western Canada. Colloquia and seminars were sponsored in cooperation with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. In 1969 the Centre's administration was reorganized and steering, publications and conference committees were formed. By 1972 research topics and programs began to range widely - so much so that some were considered peripheral to the main thrust for the Centre's existence. As a result, the Centre's terms of reference were revised and tightened. By 1975 the Centre was working on the last year of a five-year grant from the Inland Water Directorate of the Department of the Environment and was having difficulty getting approvals for research projects that were deemed not a priority by the department. A proposal was put forward to radically alter the internal structure and research direction of the Centre. However, by this time, the Centre was no longer considered a viable enterprise and it began an orderly wind-down of its ongoing research. The Centre effectively terminated operations on December 31, 1976.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by the Office of Graduate Studies on April 9, 1980, October 11, 1983, and June 14, 1984.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of terms of reference, research proposals, minutes, and correspondence related to the Centre's creation and operation. It also includes progress reports, financial statements and general ledger accounts, along with a variety of published and unpublished reports, conference proceedings and discussion materials.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Accruals: No further accruals to this fonds are expected.

Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 36 (A.80-24, A.83-48, A.84-28).

We greatly acknowledge the financial support of the Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the Heritage Grants Advisory Council in the creation of this finding aid.