The collection is arranged in the following series: Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Photographs, Series III: U.S. Geological Survey Reports, Series IV: Virginia State Agency Reports, and Series V: Local Reports.

Series I: Correspondence contains business correspondence from portions of Donald S. Wallace's tenure with the Virginia Water Resources Division. Any enclosure are attached to the original correspondence. The 1943-1945 correspondence relates to trips and projects throughout Virginia. Much of it is copies of letters sent to individuals other than Wallace. Several of the letters were written by William M. McGill, the Assistant State Geologist during the period. Letters and memoranda from 1951-1952 are concerned with the creation of the Water Resources Committee and include drafts of committee documentation. The committee was disbanded, along with other state committees, due to lack of funding, in late 1952. Of particular interest is a thank you note to Wallace from Governor John S. Battle (October 15, 1952) in appreciation for his service with the committee.

Series II: Photographs contains a collection of approximately 80 items. In most cases, the negative image is available as well. The photographs have been left in their original order and the negatives placed with the matching images. Most of the photographs are not identified. The collection of 3¼ x 4½ photographs have handwritten captions on the back, identifying the sites along the Roanoke River near Buggs Island. Other select images with captions include such sites as the Appomattox River, the Smith River near Philpott, Virginia, and the Shenandoah River. Based on the few dated images and dates in the collection, the photographs were most likely taken in the 1940s.

Series III: U.S. Geological Survey Reports contains a collection of published and unpublished reports relating to water in Virginia. Publications are arranged alphabetically by author, regardless of publication status. The unpublished reports are written on specific rivers or flood regions in the state. Topics of published reports include water resource investigations, flood reports, and streamflow analysis. While all the reports in this series were distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey, several were written in conjunction with Virginia agencies or local Department of the Interior employees.

Series IV: Virginia State Agency Reports contains seven published reports, which are arranged alphabetically by author. Two are on specific regions (the James and York River Basins), and the remainder deal with aspects of water in Virginia (surface water and water and mineral resources). Most of the reports were created by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Economic Development, Division of Water Resources.

Series V: Local Reports contains several consulting reports by independent engineers or engineering groups, which are arranged alphabetically by author. Areas covered include Augusta, Bath, Chesterfield, and Fairfax counties, and the city of Alexandria. This series also contains a collection of reports entitled, "Results of spring trip, August 1962." Each report consists of several pages of spring locations and related data. The following Virginia counties have reports: Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah.