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Aims: This study investigated the influence of soil properties and plant age on the water use pattern of Bambusa rigida at different distances from a river during the dry season. Methods: The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions (δ18O and δ2H) of soil water and culm water in B. rigida forests from sites located at different distances from a river (site A: beside the river with high air moisture; site B: 200 m from the river with high clay content; site C: 400 m from the river with low clay content) were measured. Results: Water uptake was not affected by plant age during early summer. Bambusa rigida at site A were able to use water from the soil organic horizon and moist air contributed 26% and 16% of soil water in this layer during winter and early summer. Bambusa rigida mainly took up water from soil layers with a high clay content at a depth < 50 cm due to the high water storage of these layers, although a high clay concentration weakened water uptake of bamboo roots at greater depths. Conclusions: This study is the first to identify the importance of air moisture for water dynamics of riparian bamboo and offers new insights into water use strategies of riparian B. rigida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]