Successful drainage for reclamation of  waterlogged and salt - affected lands in irrigated commands depends largely on  proper  groundwater investigations. Such studies were carried out as part of an ongoing project on " Drainage and Water Management for Salinity Control in Canal Commands " under the Indo-Dutch bilateral technical co-operation in Upper Krishna Project  area, Karnataka since 1996. The study area consists of black soils (Vertisols) with high clay content underlain by bedded limestone located in canal seepage zone. Observation wells were installed at 150 x 150 m grid basis in the operational research project  area of about 180 ha.  Further, at randomly selected points,  batteries of the piezometers were  installed.  The watertable was  monitored fortnightly for a period of one hydrological cycle from June, 1997 to the May, 1998. It was observed that  seepage from the main canal was the major source of the excess water. The problem of waterlogging was found to be  more severe during rabi compared to the kharif  season. During rabi, in 85 per cent of the area, the watertable was less than 1 m below the ground level.  The groundwater flow was detected from the west to the east direction with the varying hydraulic gradient of 1:50 to 100.  The artesian pressures also were found to  exist in the area.   which  added dimension of the drainage congestion. The groundwater reaction was neutral.  The SAR and RSC values were below the critical limits.  But,  the EC of groundwaters was very high in several locations. Therefore, the waters were not suitable either for irrigation or  leaching. The possible remedial measures for combating the waterlogging and salinity problems in the area are also discussed.