Based on the analysis of the situation and development trend of the inland water transport，in view of basic problems in the development of the digital & intelligent inland waterway，such as the lack of effective mechanism，the evaluation index，we make clear the concept and development orientation of inland digital waterway，points out the effectiveness targets of the current stage，analyze the effect mechanism of inland digital waterway from the technical progress，mechanism，system development and pattern change，outline the general evaluation method of transportation informatization，establish the effectiveness evaluation index of inland digital waterway from 4 abilities in waterway condition dynamic monitoring，data resource，business organization and business application，and establish the evaluation index of inland digital waterway based on the performance evaluation of the construction and operation of Changjiang waterway.All these would help deepen and optimize the development of inland digital waterway，and thus promote to build an open，efficient，safe and green inland transportation system.