AbstractRiver engineering works have recently been carried out on the upper River Wharfe (U.K.) in order to reduce the flood risk and resore land drainage beween Hubberholme and Kettlewell. As the river is located in a National Park, great care had to be exercised to limit the degree of interference and to ensure that an environmentally acceptable solution was adopted.Increased flood risk can be partially attributed to afforestation in the headwaters of the Wharfe. Improved drainage prior to planting has lead to an apparent increase in the mangitude and frequency of flooding and an increase in sediment yield.The works were to remedy both problems and were designed in consultation with a range of conservation and amenity organizations. First, a bed load trap was constructed on the Wharfe to curtail the sediment supply to the flood prone reach and prevent further aggradation. Second, limited dredging was carried out near tributary junctions to improve land drainage on the floodplain. Third, the dredged material was used to form the core of the raised banks.The engineering works were carred out between 1985‐87. Since completion in August 1987 the flood banks have been overtopped only twice which compares with the previous record of thirty‐two times per year. No significant erosion or deposition has occurred and the gravel trap is performing according to expectations; being half full after two and a half years of operation. Although stocks of mature trout were displaced by bed workings, there are now signs of a recov