English floodplains are platforms for flood risk vulnerability; they are varied in form and in the timing of their development, both naturally and in terms of human occupation. An understanding of floodplain generation is one of the diverse research areas that can contribute towards effective flood mitigation efforts. The performance of remedial measures like catchment sediment management, flood embanking and channel dredging need to be evaluated with regard to active fluvial process systems so that they may be applied appropriately, particularly given uncertain future environmental changes.