Abstract: Systematic analysis was done of the management frameworks and models of ecological regulation of hydraulic engineering projects in the USA and Canada. In terms of indirect (macro) management, the USA and Canada exercise ecological regulation through management of water licensing, establishment of reserved water rights, setting-up of water quality standards, protection of endangered species and prescription of environmental flow. However, their direct management includes mainly, ESA (Endangered Species Act) compliance review of federal hydraulic engineering projects, and licensing management of non-federal hydraulic power stations (above 5 MW) by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC). Analysis of the problems existing in ecological regulation and management of hydraulic projects in China reveals that China has not yet had any effectively established ecological regulation management system and mechanism effectively established. It is, hence, suggested that ecological regulation and management in China be intensified through specifying ecological demands, determining strategies for implementing ecological regulation; strengthening basic research in this aspect and consummating the management system. With a watershed ecological regulation and management system being gradually set up, operating mechanism for ecological regulation of hydraulic projects could be established and created through establishment of the mechanisms for ecological compensation, participatory negotiation, information sharing, and monitoring and feedback etc.

Key words: hydraulic project, ecological regulation, watershed management