In order to investigate the changes in sea water characteristics and stratification due to operation of Shihwa tidal power plant, three dimensional numerical model is used. In summer, the density of inner part of Shihwa Lake is more affected by salinity than water temperature due to fresh water discharge. Before tidal power plant operation, the sea water characteristics in Shihwa Lake shows relatively high temperature and low salinity. After tidal power plant operation, water temperature decreases slightly and salinity tends to increase in Shihwa Lake. Also, density increases and stratification tends to weaken by mixing with sea water.