Abstract: The spatial and temporal characteristics of the total phosphorus (TP) pollution in the Yangtze River Basin were investigated. The most serious phosphorus sources were explored in the Minjiang River and Tuojiang River in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. The control strategy of TP in the Yangtze River basin was formed. Since 2016, TP has become the main pollution factor in the Yangtze River basin, concentrations order of TP were upstream > lower reaches > middle reaches. Overall, the TP concentration showed a downward trend. The TP pollution in the dry/flat water period is sevever than that in the wet season of the Yangtze River, indicating that point source is the main source. Reasons for the high level of TP in the Yangtze River include: high load from phosphate mining and phosphorus chemical industry; large emission of urban living pollution caused by insufficient infrastructure construction; inadequate utilization of livestock waste resources; lack of ecological flow; missing of the water pollution control guide and pollution source supervision. In consideration of the characteristics of TP pollution in the Yangtze River Basin, according to two principles, control strategy of total phosphorus was formed as following: (1) Screen out the key control areas of total phosphorus in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River basin. (2) Strengthen the control of the main pollution sources of phosphorus, phosphorus chemical industry, urban life and livestock and poultry breeding, and reduce the discharge load of phosphorus pollution. (3) Use environmental supervision effective means to perfect the water environment standards and regulatory system.