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Presented herein is a categorization of commonly applied approaches to natural channel design. Approaches have been categorized as analog, empirical, or analytical. Methods and limitations of each approach and considerations for selection of an appropriate approach are discussed. Analog design replicates historic or adjacent channel characteristics and assumes equilibrium sediment and hydrologic conditions. Empirical design uses equations that relate various channel characteristics derived from regionalized or "universal" data sets, and also assumes equilibrium sediment and hydrologic conditions. Analytical design makes use of the continuity equation, roughness equations, hydraulic models, and a variety of sediment transport functions to derive equilibrium channel conditions, and thus is applicable to situations where historic or current channel conditions are not in equilibrium, or where applicable …