Presence of palaeochannels pose serious concern in development of hydropower schemes. The foreknowledge of existence of such buried channels is important in establishing secure and economic projects. Accordingly, it necessitates initiating a well-considered subsurface investigation plan, involving application of indirect technique of engineering geophysics towards optimizing the direct exploration program in view of restricted time-frame and finance. Of the various engineering geophysical methods, the seismics refraction is a prime cost-effective exploration technique in furnishing continuous profile of the underground status. The paper aims to highlight utility of seismic refraction technique as an efficient subsurface exploratory tool for delineation of palaeochannel in a hydropower project. Detailed account of utilization of seismic refraction survey in delineating palaeochannels through generation of 2-D/3-D model defining the bedrock disposition is presented herein, citing a couple of case studies demonstrating its advantageous usage.
