This article focuses on land use changes of the river Dyje floodplain in reaches Nový Přerov-Brod nad Dyjí and Nové Mlýny-Lednice, Czech Republic, in the period 1830–2001 and attempts to analyse how these changes were influenced by river channel regulations. These regulations were realized in three phases – at the end of 19th century, in the first half of 20th century and in 1973–1988. Both reaches show an increase in arable land to the detriment of meadows and pastures which was caused by these river regulations, as they restricted flooding of the area, and by increased pressure on fertile soil occurring in 1970s. This pressure was lessened after the change of the political system in 1990 and since then arable land has been abandoned. Another factor influencing changes in land use is the status of the reaches: the reach Nový Přerov-Brod nad Dyjí has no official protection, on the other hand the reach Nové Mlýny-Lednice is part of UNESCO cultural heritage Lednice-Valtice area and Protected Landscape Area Pálava.