Abstract: The controlling and surveying techniques of river model are developing rapidly with the development of computer and automatic controlling techniques. Based on the review of recent advances in surveying and controlling techniques of river models, described in this paper is a new controlling technique, which makes use of a two-way axial-flow pump and a immersion pump to control the up-boundary condition of discharge and the down-boundary condition of water level respectively, with the tidal model of the Huangpu River Estuary as an example.