This investigation was carried out following a request from the Director of Agriculture. Seepage problems associated with the build up of surplus irrigation water have been common in almost all cultivated areas of the Murray Valley since the inception of large scale irrigation. The ultimate result is the formation of highly saline soils, or the build up of a water table close to the surface, and relatively large areas of both orchards and vines have been destroyed. Extensive sub surface drainage schemes have been undertaken to overcome the problem, but even with these it has not been possible to completely alleviate the situation. The remedial measures adopted to date have been expensive, and have added a great financial handicap to an industry which of necessity must sell on a very competitive world market. Almost without exception subsurface drainage conditions have not been evaluated prior to planting, and remedial measures have been adopted only when rising water tables have been obvious. This often does not occur until irrigation has been in progress for several years, and orchards well established. The consequent replanting, and often substitution of less sensitive varieties has hindered efficient farm management on individual properties. Up to two or three years ago a large proportion of the irrigated areas were under government sponsor schemes, and the burden has to a certain extent been borne by the Federal Government under the Soldier Settlement Plan. However, since then several large areas have been planted under private sponsorship, and more are contemplated. Poor drainage in these areas would greatly prejudice the success of these ventures, and the Department of Agriculture requested a geological survey of the areas to obtain an assessment of subsurface conditions. From this it was hoped that areas where seepage problems would occur could be predicted, and remedial measures considered, either prior to planting, or at an early stage.