Abstract: A gap exists between theory study and practice of water resource system analysis approach at home and abroad.Some foreign experts consider that a hopeful approach closing the gap is the decision support system for water resources planning and management(WRPM-DSS).In this paper,a comprehensive review of study and practice for WRPM-DSS in the West in the 1980's is summarized.A brief introduction of study and practice on this field as well as their prospects in China is presented.