Under the institution background of developing the Yangtze River waterway in China,we put forward the conception of the Yangtze River waterway carrying capacity for the first time to realize the sustainable development of construction of the Yangtze River on the basis of the construction of ecological waterway,which meets several kinds of targets,including:the core requirement for ecological benefits,multiple requirements for both economic and social development and the requirement for full utilization of the Yangtze River water resources.We analyze the structural relationship of the Yangtze River waterway carrying capacity by referencing the theoretical system of carrying capacity from extant literature and applying both system theory and synergy theory.Finally,we conclude the exact definition,connotation,features and operation mechanism for waterway carrying capacity.