Although the Piecewise Muskingum method for river flood calculation has been widely used in China, the major limitation that hinders the further application of the Piecewise Muskingum method within distributed models still needs to be addressed. This method with empirical parameters cannot consider the impact of changing river cross-section characteristics and hydraulic roughness on the flood computation. In this study, the Muskingum-Cunge-Todini variable parameter method and the non-linear reservoir method, which could consider the channel cross-section geometry and hydraulic roughness, were used in the river flood calculation in the middle part of Huaihe river, from Wujiadu to Xiaoliuxiang, and the middle part of Hutuo River, from Huangbizhuang to Beizhongshan. In addition, the river flood calculation with the Piecewise Muskingum method also has been conducted as a comparison. Initial tests indicate that the Muskingum-Cunge-Todini variable parameter method and the non-linear reservoir method have high simulation accuracy in the studied cases. The correct rate of flood peak is above 86%, and the coefficient of certainty is greater than 0. 8. This study can provide references for the flood calculation considering the change of the channel cross section and hydraulic roughness characteristics.