Abstract: It is extremely difficult to carry out fine management and control of the full life cycle of water conservancy objects due to their large quantites, a wide range of types, a wide spatial distribution, complex operation environments, and many interrelated factors. To solve this problem, a fundamental approach is to combine a certain water conservancy big data technology characterized by association analysis with a professional mechanism model characterized by causality, integration and fusion, and efficient process; to analyze the massive and multi-source data intelligently; and to proactivily present useful highly-visualized results to management decision-makers. This paper provides a review on the concept of water conservancy big data and its technology system, along with an overview on the research status quo of natural law analysis, situation research and judgment, trend prediction, and decision optimization for water conservancy. We find that the future trend in big data technology development is toward scenario-based demands, management integration, analysis intelligence, service platforms, and guarantee systems. In water conservancy big data application, data are fundamental, analysis is the core, and the ultimate goal is to improve the efficiency of water treatment by using big data technology. Thus, we should deeply tap the real demands of water conservancy business management; integrate the panoramic data in the fields of water disasters, water resources, water environment, water ecology, and water engineering; comprehensively lay out the research on basic theories and core technologies, so as to accelerate the deep integration of big data technology with water conservancy and support the complete transformation and upgrade of water governance in China.

Key words: smart basin, smart water conservancy, water conservancy big data, data analysis and mining