[Objective] To reconstruct health process of the Yarkant River using various hydrological methods

in order to provide scientific basis for ecological regulation and control based on river health. [Methods] Monthly discharge data from the Kaqun hydrological station in Xinjiang Wei Autonomous Region from 1957 to 2015 were analyzed. Based on the river restoration targets including river morphology

hydrological condition

and health of the river ecosystem

considering the functional requirements and the accessibility

the river protection objectives were divided into conservative and optimal objectives. To reconstruct a healthy discharge pattern in the Yarkant River

the improved Tennant method

Texas method

the monthly guarantee rate method

and the water demand empirical formula for sediment transport were used. [Results] ① Under conservative river protection targets

healthy discharge during the low flow period

common flow period

and high flow period was 4.93

13.35

80.49 m3/s

respectively

the discharge converted water volumes were 5.20×109

1.41×108

8.48×108 m3

respectively. While the total annual water requirement for river health was 1.19×109 m3

considering sediment transport demand. ② Under optimal river protection targets

healthy discharge during the low flow period

common flow period

and high flow period was 14.95

24.14

182.12 m3/s

respectively

and the outcome converted water volumes were 1.56×108

2.54×108

1.92×109 m3

respectively. With the consideration of sediment transport demand

the annual water requirement for river health was 2.33×109 m3. [Conclusion] In comparison with relevant literature and data

it is considered that the research results are reasonable

and it can provide scientific guidance for the river health and water resources regulations and ecological protection in future.