Historically draining eastwards directly into the Yellow Sea, erosion from floods have changed the course of the river such that it now primarily discharges into the Yangtze.

It was long used to irrigate the surrounding farmlands, and was the center of an extensive network of canals and tributaries.

The problem worsened in the Second World War, when the Nationalist government, in an attempt to check the pace of the Japanese invasion, flooded the lower Huai basin by opening the Yellow River's southern levee.

The North Jiangsu Main Irrigation Canal also diverts some of its water along its old historical course to the sea, and is planned to be upgraded with a new parallel channel.

[3] The main tributaries on the Huai River (listed from upstream to downstream) are as follows:[5][circular reference]