Remembering Emeritus Engineering Professor Trevor Hughes

Utah State University and the Utah Water Research Laboratory mourn the loss of emeritus professor Trevor Hughes. Hughes died on March 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy crucial to the Utah Water Research Laboratory and a myriad of friends and family. His many grandchildren and great-grandchildren also honor his life at this time.

After graduation from Utah State University and time on active duty as an Air Force Officer, Hughes became a design engineer for a consulting firm in Brigham City. During this period, he designed the Mantua Reservoir. He was then a project manager for Bowers Construction Company, where he supervised the construction of the Second Deseret Gym in Salt Lake City.

At age 29, Hughes began his own consulting business, which included designing and supervising the construction of domestic water systems for the Utah communities across the state. He pioneered the use of low-cost plastic pipe in Utah for such low-density rural systems. In 1967, Trevor returned to USU, obtained a PhD and began 23 years as a Professor of Civil Engineering at USU and the UWRL. His work in Utah included the development of water demand models for the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, which are still in use by state planners. His work on rural domestic water systems resulted in a major change in minimum standards for sizing pipe, which has allowed economically feasible upgrading of many rural systems.

Hughes’ work focused on geographic Information Systems, hydropower, urban water demand, reservoir operations and water resources. He retired in 1998 and received the esteemed title of professor emeritus.

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Writer: Sydney Dahle, sydney.dahle@usu.edu, 435-797-7512

Contact: Alyssa Regis, alyssa.regis@usu.edu, 435-797-1807