Abstract: According to papers written by River Research Department of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute published in Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute since the 1980s, we summarize the research achievements in the past three decades in terms of Yangtze River basin planning, construction of major water conservancy projects, and river regulation methods. The river research department has made big progress in the regularities of sediment transport, interdisciplinary development of river dynamics, theories of river physical model, methods of mathematical model and experiences of river treatment project. These achievements provide scientific basis for the regulation and conservancy projects. In the future, we need to further explore the sediment in Yangtze River basin in macroscopic and microscopic levels, highlight the comprehensive management of river channel and lakes to better serve river regulation work with a wider range and higher goal.