The temporal and spatial distribution patterns of nutrients (N and P) were investigated according to the monthly monitoring the total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO₂-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄-N), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) at five sampling sites(S1, S3, S4, S8, S9) in Lake Qiandao during 2007-2008. The results showed that the concentration of TP, TN and NO₃-N decreased gradually from upstream to downstream (from S1 to S9) during the two years. The concentrations of various nutrients at the upstream sampling site S1 located in the mainstream of Xin'anjiang River peaked during the rainy season (March-July). But there was much difference between 2007 and 2008 in the temporal and spatial distribution of nutrients. The concentration of TP and TN at sampling site S1 during rainy season in 2008 was very significantly lower and higher than those in 2007 respectively. Contrasted with 2007, although the water temperature was higher in 2008, and it had not increased the stability of the water column. The severe convective weather in 2008, by disturbing water stratification and increasing water mixing and carrying much nutrient to the lake, affected the distribution patterns of nutrients. The high level of total phosphorus concentration during flood seasons was reduced by 64.4% averagely and 88.6% in maximum within 1-2 months, suggesting the strong self-purification capacity of Lake Qiandao ecosystem. Our results suggested that the comprehensive effects made by the interaction among hydrology, organism, and human production activities determine the general patterns of tem-poral and spatial distributions of nutrients of Lake Qiandao, but which could be changed on extreme whether.