Abstract: Taihu Lake Basin has a dense river network and is one of the economically developed and densely populated areas in China.Scientific evaluation of river health status in Taihu Lake Basin is of great significance for the smooth implementation of the river chief system and the improvement of local residents' happiness index.According to the relevant requirements and based on the characteristic attributes of rivers in Taihu Lake Basin, a river health evaluation index system containing 13 indicators and 5 criteria of hydrology and water quality, habitat structure, aquatic life, social service and river management was constructed.Combined with the Delphi method, the weight of each criterion and indicator was determined and the classification standard of the river health level was clarified.Meanwhile, this study selected Changxinggang River in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province as a case study.The evaluation results showed that the evaluation index system can scientifically and objectively evaluate the river health status in Taihu Lake Basin and Changxinggang River, and its score was at the "green" health level as a whole, but the river connectivity need to be further improved.The study results can provide methods and case references for health evaluation of relevant rivers, and provide decision support for water ecological restoration and river health security of Taihu Lake Basin.