The historical contribution of Colorado State University to hydraulics and fluid mechanics is reviewed in reference to those who pioneered the analysis of hydraulic and wind engineering. The article first covers the "early developments" with Elwood Meade, Charles Lory, Ralph Parshall and Emory Lane during the Colorado A&M period. The name change to Colorado State University initiated considerable expansion through fruitful collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The "expansion years" featured the contributions of Maury Albertson, Hunter Rouse, Jack Cermak and Everett Richardson under the leadership of Lionel Baldwin, Daryl Simons and Ray Chamberlain. The more recent "mature period" saw broadening of the programs and expansion into environmental engineering. Some of the key scientific achievements are reviewed, and the interaction between faculty activities, academic programs and research facilities that led to rapid growth and development are retraced. The success and visibility of the hydraulics and fluid mechanics programs also hinged on several other factors including significant contributions at the international level through projects in Pakistan, Columbia, and Egypt.
