River and lake health assessment is an important component of river and lake management and an important means of evaluating the effective implementation of the River and Lake Chief System. Establishing a scientifically sound technical system is therefore fundamental to river and lake health assessment. Following the current requirements for river and lake health assessment

this study determines the assessment zoning and indicator system and conducts a comprehensive assessment of Chahannao Lake

a saline lake in Wushen Banner

Ordos City

across four dimensions: basin condition

water condition

biota

and social service functions. The results show that Chahannao Lake receives an overall health score of 82. 1 and is classified as healthy. Among the four dimensions

social service functions receive the highest score

at93. 6

whereas the biotic indicators receive the lowest score

at 42. 0

making biotic condition the primary factor constraining the health of the lake. Based on the assessment results

corresponding measures for the protection and restoration of Chahannao Lake are proposed from the perspectives of basin condition

water condition

biota

and social service functions.