—A comprehensive analysis is conducted based on observations on topography.tidal current.salinity.suspended sediment and bed load during the years of 1982.1983.1988.1989.1996 and 1997 in theYangtze Estuary.Results show that the deformation of tidal waves is distinct and the sand carrying capaci-ty is large within the mouth bar due to strong tidal currents and large volume of incoming water and sedi-ments.Owing to both temporal and spatial variation of tidal current.deposition and erosion are extremelyactive.In general a change of up to 0.1 m of bottom sediments takes place during a tidal period.The maxi-mum siltation and erosion are around 0.2 m in a spring to neap tides cycle.The riverbed is silted duringflood when there is heavy sediment load.eroded during dry season when sediment load is low.The annualaverage depth of crosion and siltation on the riverbed is around 0.6 m.In particular cases.it may increaseto 1.4 m to 2.4 m at some locations. -A comprehensive analysis is conducted based on observations on topography. Tidal current.salinity.suspended sediment and bed load during the years of 1982.1983. 1988.1989.1996 and 1997 in the Yangtze Estuary. Results show that the deformation of tidal waves is distinct and the sand carrying capaci-ty is large within the mouth bar due to strong tidal currents and large volume of incoming water and sedi-ments. Out to both temporal and spatial variation of tidal current. deposition and erosion are extremely active. 0.1 m of bottom sediments takes place during a tidal period. The maxi-mum siltation and erosion are around 0.2 m in a spring to neap tides cycle. The riverbed is silted duringflood when there is heavy sediment load. Depletions during dry season when sediment load is low. The annualaverage depth of crosion and siltation on the riverbed is around 0.6 m. In particular cases. may increaseto 1.4 m to 2.4 m at some locations.