Abstract: The movement of curvilinear streams manifests complexity and imperils the safety of the surrounding riverbanks and related facilities.By studying the influence of low dams on the water flow characteristics of bends while exploring the role of low dams in combating risks associated with hydrological disasters in bends.By combining experimental methods and numerical simulations, this study carries out both physical and numerical modeling using selected bends of a tributary to the Minjiang River as reference points.The paper compares and analyzes changes in flow characteristics, such as the flow velocity, concave bank water level, and cross-sectional gradient, before and after dam construction.The study's findings show that a low dam effectively reduces the water surface gradient and flow velocity of the bend and simultaneously decreases the concave bank's water surface height.Under the model test conditions (the gradient J of the riverbed ranges from 0 to 52.5‰), compared with before the dam was built, the flow velocity, the water surface height of the concave bank, and the transverse ratio of the curve decreased in ranges of 6.7%—31.8%, 3.7%—26.5%, and 9.8%—34.8%, respectively.A prediction formula of the curve transverse gradient after the dam is built is given.These results offer a scientific basis for the flood hazard prevention and control of curved rivers.