The river chief system is the system innovation to solve the complex water problem and ensure the national water safety in China. Guiding and encouraging public participation is the key to the long-term effect of the river chief system. However, in the process of practice, the phenomenon of public participation failure is wide spread. How to avoid public participation falling into the trap of formalism and ensure the public to achieve continuous and effective participation, the establishment of motivation mechanism is very important. Based on the Maslow's demand theory and the cost-benefit theory, the operation mode of motivation mechanism of public participation is proposed. Based on its motivation practices, the operation process of “Ecological green currency” in Deqing City is analyzed from the two dimensions of the river chief office and the public. Some suggestions such as innovative motivation mode, targeted motivation, improving public water protection platform and strengthening public organization participation are put forward in order to provide reference for other regions to establish the motivation mechanism of public participation and promote the transformation of the river chief system to the long-term management of rivers.