This paper briefs the history of Chinese operational hydrology up to 1990.It mainly concerns the hydrological work in water resources section,and also includes relative work in other sections.The history is divided into five periods to be described,i.e.before 1840(ancient culture),1840-1949(introduction of foreign technique),1949-1957(rapid development),1958-1978(undulant development)and 1979-1990(advance following reform and open policy).The later periods after 1949 are emphasized.