Abstract: According to the Flood Control Plan of Yangtze River Basin, the total reserved flood control capacity is about 36 billion m³ for large regulating reservoirs with the flood control function, so it is necessary to research scientific and practical flood control and regulation methods. After defining the interoperability of flood control capacities, we explore the interoperability of flood control capacities among reservoir groups in the upper reaches of Yangtze River and propose the reservoir regulation method for flood control on this basis. Taking the cascade reservoirs in the lower reaches of Jinsha River and the Three Gorges Reservoir as an example, we make an analysis of the interoperability ratio of their flood control capacities. The research results show that, for floods in the three typical years, 1981, 1982 and 1998, the interoperability ratio of flood control capacities of Jinsha cascade reservoirs to the Three Gorges Reservoir is within 0.80 to 0.97 and affected by the impounded flood proportions and timing. In the real-time flood control forecast and regulation, the flood may be scientifically and effectively regulated in accordance with the conditions and flood control situations of the reservoir groups, based on the research results of interoperability of flood control capacities and with consideration to the hydrologic prediction and weather forecast.