The Center's Graham Fogg says scientists' understanding of California's vital groundwater resources is significantly limited by a 63-year-old California law that bars disclosure of well drillers' logs filed with the state.

In a Sacramento Bee story (July 6, 2014), the UC Davis hydrology professor recalls his failed attempts to obtain well logs a few years ago for a study of groundwater sustainability and contamination on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley funded by the National Science Foundation. “It was maddening, absolutely maddening,” Fogg said.

The confidential "well completion reports" detail the geology, location, depth, water level and yield of bore holes — information that help researchers and water managers better understand the underground landscape they can't see.

“Imagine trying to manage a reservoir where you’re not sure what the boundaries of the reservoir are. You’re not sure how much water gets in, how much water gets out, or what the level is,” Fogg said “Groundwater management is kind of like that. You are trying to manage systems that are ill-defined and ill-understood.”

Photo: A sample Well Completion Report. Source: California Department of Water Resources