The objectives for this study were to evaluate spatial and temporal characteristics of water quality, based on long-term water quality monitoring data during 1993~2008. We found that physico-chemical and ecological conditions in the Daecheong Reservoir (DR) were modified by the construction of upper dam (i.e., Yongdam Reservoir). total phosphorus (TP), Secchi depth (SD), and chlorophyll-a (CHL) in the DR showed significant longitudinal decreases along the headwater-to-the downlake, indicating a large spatial variation, and this gradient was more intensified during the high-flow season (monsoon). Nutrient-rich water containing high nitrogen and phosphorus in the monsoon season (July~August) passed through the reservoir as a density current in the metalimnetic depth, and also high suspended solids increased in the metalimnetic depth, especially during the monsoon. According to the deviation analysis of Trophic State Index (TSI), >50% of TSI (CHL)-TSI (SD) and TSI (CHL)-TSI (TP) values were negatives, so that inorganic suspended solids (non-votatile solids) influenced the underwater light regime against phytoplankton growth. Also, ratios of CHL:TP after the dam construction evidently increased, compared to the values before the upper dam constructions, indicating a greater yield of phytoplankton in the unit phosphorus. Overall data showed that ecological and functional changes in Daecheong Reservoir occurred after the construction of upper dam (Yongdam Reservoir).