Present day river valleys and rivers are not as dynamic and

variable as they used to be. We will here describe the development

and characteristics of rivers and their valleys and explain

the background to the physical changes in river networks and

channel forms from spring to the sea. We seek to answer two

fundamental questions: How has anthropogenic disturbance of

rivers changed the fundamental form and physical processes in

river valleys? Can we use our understanding of fl uvial patterns

to restore the dynamic nature of channelised rivers and drained

fl oodplains in river valleys?