Abstract: To further enhance the overall operational efficiency of the Jiangsu Province section of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, an operational mode of mutual transfer and diversion among lakes (hereinafter referred to as "the mutual transfer and diversion mode") is proposed based on the existing unidirectional flow mode of lakes. With the optimization objectives of minimizing the comprehensive water shortage rate in the receiving area and the total energy consumption of pump stations, a joint scheduling optimization model of lakes and groups of sluice-pump stations is constructed under the unidirectional flow mode and the mutual transfer and diversion mode. In addition, the effectiveness of the mutual transfer and diversion mode is analyzed comprehensively, considering nine different scenarios of lake inflow. The results indicate that compared to the unidirectional flow mode of lakes, when the comprehensive water shortage rate in the receiving area is the same, the mutual transfer and diversion mode effectively reduces the total energy consumption of pump stations. Moreover, this mode enhances the water resource allocation capability and efficiency of water resource utilization in Luoma Lake. In scenarios where Luoma Lake experiences water-abundant years while the Hongze Lake goes through abundant, average, or dry years, the water utilization in Luoma Lake increases by 28.6%, 36.1%, and 30.0%, respectively. In comparison, the water abandonment decreases by 47.2%, 42.4%, and 65.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the mutual transfer and diversion mode effectively reduces the water pumping from pump stations between the Hongze Lake and Luoma Lake. By fully utilizing the regulation and storage capacity of lakes along the route, this mode ensures the safe and rational operation of water levels in both lakes. The research findings can serve as a valuable reference for decision-making in the scientific scheduling and operation of the Jiangsu Province section of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.