William Pearce (civil engineer)

William Pearce (born 1830, died 1883) was a Canadian civil engineer and surveyor. He played a significant role in the survey and development of Western Canada, particularly in what are now the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pearce was employed by the Canadian government's Department of the Interior and was instrumental in establishing the Dominion Land Survey system in the region.

His work included surveying townships, establishing boundaries, and assessing the potential for irrigation and settlement. Pearce was known for his expertise in water resource management and his advocacy for sustainable land use practices. He held various positions within the Department of the Interior, eventually becoming the Superintendent of Mines for Manitoba, the North-West Territories, and British Columbia.

Pearce's reports and recommendations had a considerable impact on government policies related to land settlement, irrigation development, and resource management in Western Canada. He is considered a key figure in the early development of the agricultural sector in the Canadian prairies.