The Yeongsan River estuary, located in the south west coast, was a typical estuary before a dike was constructed in December 1981. After the construction, the water quality and plankton communities are expected to change. We investigated the change of phytoplankton community and environmental properties in the Yeongsan River estuary by comparing the data collected recently with the results reported before and/or shortly after the construction. Concentrations of $NH_4$-N were significantly increased in the freshwater zone. Concentrations of DO at the surface, $NO_2+NO_3$ and $NH_4$-N were increased while the concentrations of $PO_4$ at the surface were decreased in the seawater zone. The number of green algae species was decreased in the freshwater zone. The number of diatom species was decreased while the numbers of green algae and dinoflagellates were increased in the seawater zone. This study can provide information for better management of the Yeongsan River estuary since no comparison study has been documented between the phytoplankton community before and after the construction of the dike in the estuary.