The objectives of this study were to analyze the longitudinal gradient and temporal variations of water quality in Daecheong Reservoir in relation to the major inflowing streams from the watershed, during 2001~2010. For the study, we selected 7 mainstream sites of the reservoir along the main axis of the reservoir, from the headwater to the dam and 8 tributary streams. In-reservoir nutrients of TN and TP showed longitudinal declines from the headwater to the dam, which results in a distinct zonation of the riverine (Rz, M1~M3), transition (Tz, M4~M6), and lacustrine zone (Lz, M7) in water quality, as shown in other foreign reservoirs. Chlorophyll-a (CHL) and BOD as an indicator of organic matter, were maximum in the Tz. Concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was the highest (8.52 mg L-1) on March in the Rz, and was the highest (165 μg L-1) in the Lz on July. Values of TN was the maximum (377 μg L-1) on August in the Rz, and was the highest (3.76 mg L-1) in the Lz on August. Ionic dilution was evident during September~October, after the monsoon rain. The mean ratios of TN : TP, as an indicator of limiting factor, were 88, which indicates that nitrogen is a surplus for phytoplankton growth in this system. Nutrient analysis of inflowing streams showed that major nutrient sources were headwater streams of T1~T2 and Ockcheon-Stream of T5, and the most influential inflowing stream to the reservoir was T5, which is located in the mid-reservoir, and is directly influenced by the wastewater treatment plants. The key parameters, influenced by the monsoon rain, were TP and suspended solids (SS). Empirical models of trophic variables indicated that variations of CHL in the Rz (R2=0.044, p=0.264) and Tz (R2=0.126, p=0.054) were not accounted by TN, but were significant (p=0.032) in the Lz. The variation of the logtransformed Ir-CHL was not accounted (R2=0.258, p=0.110) by Iw-TN of inflowing streams, but was determined (R2=0.567, p=0.005) by Iw-TP of inflowing streams. In other words, TP inputs from the inflowing streams were the major determinants on the in-reservoir phytoplankton growth. Regression analysis of TN : TP suggested that the ratio was determined by P, rather than N. Overall, our data suggest that TP and suspended solids, during the summer flood period, should be reduced from the eutrophication control and P-input from Ockcheon-Stream should be controlled for water quality improvement.