Experience at investigated damsites along the South Saskatchewan River in the 1950's showed the importance of interrelated studies in site investigation, geology, and airphoto interpretation. As a result of this work, landforms along the dam abutments were identified as landslide masses rather than hummocky morainal materials. The engineering implications were significant. Advanced techniques of remote sensing offer further opportunities for clarifying the role of geology in new areas of activity being undertaken by geotechnical engineers.Key words: riverbanks, damsite geology, geomorphology, airphoto interpretation, remote sensing.