AbstractThe pool‐riffle sequence as an important feature of river channels was described by Leopoldet al.(1964) to occur with a spacing of five to seven times the channel width. Subsequent work has generally confirmed this spacing, although more closely spaced pools and riffles are quoted for some channels in woodland basins and for some channelized streams. Although few detailed empirical studies have been made of adjustments of the pool‐riffle spacing, a detailed survey of a 6 km channel reach containing over 300 riffles in the New Forest, southern England indicates that despite the influence of woody debris and channelization, the interriffle distance generally falls within the range of five to seven channel widths. As substantial adjustments in channel dimensions have been widely observed downstream of channelization schemes, land‐use changes, and dams and reservoirs, the associated adjustments in pool‐riffle spacing should be a consideration in channel management and an ingredient of design for channel rest