This chapter explores the historical evolution of the Yangtze River’sThe Yangtze River/The Yangtze River basin middle and lower reaches and their associated lakes, as well as the profound impact of these changes on the surrounding environment and human activities. As China’s longest river, the Yangtze’s transformations in its waterways and lakes have paralleled the development of Chinese history and the evolution of its natural environment. The lecture examines the riverbed evolution in the middle reaches, focusing on the Jingjiang River section’s complex changes, including channel branching, sandbar and river island formation, and meander development, which have affected navigation, flood control, agricultural production, and residents’ lives. It also analyzes the lower Yangtze’s channel evolution, particularly lateral oscillations and distributary channel formation influenced by the Yangtze paraplatform. Additionally, the lecture discusses the transformation of lakes like Yunmengze marshYunmengze marsh, Dongting LakeDongting Lake, and Poyang LakePoyang Lake, from the Neolithic era to modern times, reflecting the multiple influences of geological movements, climate change, and human activities. Through comprehensive analysis of historical literature and archaeological findings, it highlights the close connection between these lakes and the socio-economic development of the surrounding regions in the Yangtze River BasinThe Yangtze River/The Yangtze River basin.