我国正处于经济快速发展时期，能源紧张和生态环境恶化是制约我国经济社会可持续发展的主要障碍。开发长江上游的水能资源成为促进我国经济可持续发展、保障能源安全的重要举措之一。然而，水电开发在带来巨大经济效益的同时，也对生态环境产生一定的影响。如何协调长江上游水电开发与生态环境保护关系，促进我国经济的可持续发展，成为当前水能开发过程中亟需解决的问题。在分析长江上游水能开发现状和趋势，指出了长江上游水电开发生态制约因素的基础上，深入探讨了水电开发对生态环境的影响关系，从流域管理、法律法规和工程技术等角度提出了水电开发与生态环境保护的协调对策措施，为长江上游水电开发的生态环境保护提供理论依据和技术支持。

Hydropower exploitation in the upper Yangtze River is one of  China’s strategic measures to tackle energy shortage and ecoenvironmental degradation when the economy is growing steadily and rapidly. Yet it would cause ecodamage and environmental pollution while generating enormous economic benefits. It is, therefore, of the most priority to coordinate between hydropower exploitation and eco-environment protection. The authors analyzed  the status quo and tendency of hydropower exploitation, pointed out the ecological  restrictions, and discussed the influence of exploitation on the environment. Preliminary coordination measures were provided in terms of basin management, laws and regulations, and engineering technology. The research results will offer theoretical and technological supports for hydropower exploitation in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.