Abstract:[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.