The deformation and stability analysis of high steep slopes is a key technical problem in the construction and operation of hydropower projects. Over the past two decades

China has built a large number of large-scale water conservancy and hydropower projects. Many key technical problems of high dams and large reservoirs have been solved successfully

and remarkable progress has been achieved in the life cycle performance evolution and safety control of high

steep slopes of reservoirs. This paper takes the performance evaluation of high steep slopes in the southwest hydropower projects as the main research line

and focuses on the deformation and stability evolution of high steep slopes. We examine the research progress in determining the influencing factors of stability and failure modes of high steep slopes

stability evaluation and deformation analysis methods

seepage analysis

and safety control. The latest researches are discussed in detail on the strict three-dimensional limit equilibrium method

modified Hoek-Bray wedge method

rigid body spring method

parameter inversion method based on monitoring data

and slope seepage analysis. We also discuss the academic thinking and technical route and certain future challenges to the life-cycle deformation and stability evolution analysis of high steep slopes in hydropower engineering.