ABSTRACT
New approaches to complex river development slowly are according greater recognition to its environmental limits and consequences. Complex utilization means the integrated management of river flow and quality to serve multiple purposes. Geographical analysis has played a modest part in the unfolding set of approaches to river development, and at present joins in the few systematic efforts to examine what has happened as a result of investment in river development and what lessons may be learned for future ventures in the field. Critical review of experience with complex utilization of rivers necessarily involves analysis of the spatial distribution of water, land, people, and human organization within the area affected the technologic and social devices for water and land management, and the identifiable environmental impacts from development programs. Long-term climatic and landscape changes need to be assessed more carefully.
