Dams in the Yangtze River basin have changed the natural flow of rivers over the past 50 years. The study used new methods to show that the Wu tributary basin was most affected by dams, while the Fu tributary basin was least affected. Rivers in the upper Yangtze were more disturbed than those in the middle and lower reaches. Some parts of the Yangtze River only connect a few river systems, not all 12. Even small dams can have a big impact on how water flows in the region. The findings can help make river management in the Yangtze basin more environmentally friendly.