This collection is the result of Frank E. Bonner's work as a consulting engineer for four California water agencies. The materials in this collection consist of water and hydroelectric power studies, maps, designs, computations, drawings, photographs, and reports on various constructed or proposed water developments in the Sierra Nevada.

The collection includes correspondence, reports, drafts, notes, legal documents, maps, diagrams, and photographs relating to geologic investigation done for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and other firms and agencies. The more important projects include Bodega Bay Atomic Park, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, and Union Valley Dam. Also includes material on water disputes in Southern California.

The collection consists of unpublished reports pertaining to water power and water supply in California, compiled by Lester S. Ready, former chief engineer of the State Railroad Commission and consulting engineer.