Abstract: On the basis of reviewing the water resources assesgn ent research in the last two decades, the paper remarks several inportant problems to be further investigated and puts forward a proposal of building up a system of appraisal indices. This paper introduces the initial results of a group's research. A fairly sinple system，including relatively all-round naturogeographical and engineering-economical characterictics, features and their regimes, is provided to evaluate the level of utilization availability and sufficientness to meet the human dem and of water resources for a definite district. Two operating methods were applied and recommended to judge the water resources of 7 representative counties selected from different corners of China as illustrating examples.