Human activities have significantly impacted sediment discharge in the upper Yangtze River. By analyzing data from 1956 to 2007, it was found that human activities, such as construction projects and reservoirs, have led to changes in sediment yield. The sediment discharge of the upper Yangtze River decreased by 143 million tons per year from 1994 to 2002, with human activities accounting for 91.2% of the reduction. The Jinsha River saw an increase in sediment load from 1983 to 2000, mainly due to construction projects, but a decrease from 2001 to 2007 because of human activities like reservoir construction. The Jialing River also experienced a decrease in sediment load, primarily due to changes in rural socio-economic factors and reservoir construction. These findings highlight the significant impact of human activities on sediment discharge in the upper Yangtze River.