Abstract: Accounting for one-third of the total Yangtze River stem waterway, the stem waterway from Yichang to Anqing is a key connective channel in promoting coordinated development of upper, middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. At present, the depth of waterway from Yichang to Anqing is significantly shallower than the upstream and downstream channel, becoming a weakness of the whole mainstream. We comprehensively analyze several problems of the river reach in terms of water transport development demand, difficulties in scale upgrading of waterway, technical feasibility of harnessing scheme, external environmental impacts and the economy of channel construction. Based on the analysis, the feasibility of water depth upgrading of the reach is demonstrated, and the waterway construction ideas are put forward, which could provide scientific basis for waterway construction of mainstream of Yangtze River.