Pressure on large fluvial lowlands has increased tremendously during the past twenty years because of flood control, urbanization, and increased dependence upon floodplains and deltas for food production. This book examines human impacts on lowland rivers, and discusses how these changes affect different types of riverine environments and flood processes. Surveying a global range of large rivers, it provides a primary focus on the lower Rhine River in the Netherlands and the Lower Mississippi River in Louisiana. A particular focus of the book is on geo-engineering, which is described in a straight-forward writing style that is accessible to a broad audience of advanced students, researchers, and practitioners in global environmental change, fluvial geomorphology and sedimentology, and flood and water management.

Winner, 2022 Choice Outstanding Academic Titles

‘Hudson employs accessible prose and abundant, effective illustrations to argue the importance of the floodplains and deltas along large, lowland rivers. These river features are of vital importance to human and environmental sustainability, yet centuries of alteration resulting from human activities have in many cases severely compromised environmental functions. Hudson clearly explains the basic science underpinning our understanding of these functions, provides numerous and diverse case studies, and draws on scientific understanding to make specific, practical recommendations for better managing large river lowlands. A comprehensive summary of the state of the science.’

Ellen E. Wohl - Colorado State University

‘This grounded and reflective study builds upon lived experience and direct personal connections to present an engaging, insightful and deeply researched resource that provides a comprehensive overview of geomorphic understandings of the Mississippi-Rhine lowland river systems.’

Gary Brierley - The University of Auckland

‘Hudson provides a sweeping treatise on the human impacts to large fluvial lowlands, covering cases from the Rhine to the Mississippi. Given the increasing effects of development and environmental change on these hydrologic systems, there could not be a better time or author to thoroughly examine this topic. Hudson’s accessible writing style and attention to both problems and management solutions is a key resource for both students and practitioners.’

Sam Brody - Texas A&M University