Abstract: Since the 1980s, the palaeoflood hydrology has become an independent discipline mainly dedicated to the palaeoflood reconstruction which aims at determining the magnitude and frequency of a flood by calculating hydrological parameters based on indicators of a palaeoflood. This paper firstly presents the concept and engineering application of the palaeoflood reconstruction and systemically reviews the research advance of indicators of water level and power of the palaeoflood. We also summarize the level discharge method, slope area method and surface curve method (HEC model) for calculating the peak discharge and two equations for reconstructing the water power. The relative and absolute dating methods determining the elapsed time of the palaeoflood have been compared. Then, the problems associated with validating the slack water sediment and the water level of the peak discharge are outlined. We point out the difficulties of reconstructing the water level in the reaches composed of loose sediment and discriminating the palaeoflood derived from a dammed lake from a normal one. Finally, we suggest the prospects of several studies, including the relations between the modern slack water sediment and its hydrological parameters, standardization of the supplemental indicators of the palaeoflood, the palaeoflood reconstruction in reaches composed of loose sediment and the relationship between the palaeoflood and the palaeoclimate.