This paper reviewed the achievements of the study on fluvial geomorphology in China from the 40s, the foundation of the fluvial geomorphology, to the 90s, the attaining the leading level over the world in some study field, in the 20th century. The study on fluvial geomorphology in China has its distinct advantages in that China has various types of landscapes, historically recorded data, and perfect field meteorological, hydrological monitoring stations. It also has its obvious disadvantages because of its lagged facilities. The era of knowledge economy will eventually dominate the coming century. And the new characteristics of the knowledge economy and the arousing innovation of society and thoughts on human being will give the fluvial geomorphology new opportunities as well as severe challenges. The coming era will give the study of fluvial geomorphology high technological facilities, multi-sources of accurate data and fund support. And the new era will also request the study of fluvial geomorphology to fit the new market situation. To meet the era of knowledge economy, we should get use of fully the conventional advantages and modern high technology and equipment to enforce the creative study and the transition of the result into product from now. Thus, some strategies about knowledge innovation in fluvial geomorphology are offered in this paper.