The water conservancy heritage of Poyang lake basin has unique historical，cultural，scientific and technological，economic and social values.This paper，aimed at different historical periods of water conservancy projects in the basin，analyzes the relations among water conservancy，economy and social development in different historical periods，expounds the influence of water conservancy on social and economic development in typical historical periods and during social transitions.The paper will provide historic lessons to the basin’s ecological civilization construction and sustainable economic development.