Topics represented in this collection include: Water Quality, Flood Control, Water Distribution, Water Conservation, Water Usage, and Drought. The Dickenson Collection also contains materials pertaining to the creation and operation of the Central Valley Project, the California State Water Project, and their component units.

This collection of materials was begun by Richard W. Dickenson, an expert in California water law, who was San Joaquin County Counsel during the 1960s. Holt Atherton staff have expanded Dickenson's various presentations on Water Law to include materials on a variety of 20th century San Joaquin Valley and statewide water issues.

Collection is open for research.