Water conservancy education sages such as Zhang Jian, Huang Yanpei, Xu Zhaonan, Li Yizhi, Mao Yisheng, Yan Kai, Xu Zhilun, Liu Guangwen, Huang Wenxi and Qian Zhengying are not only the founders and educators of Hohai University, but also outstanding representatives in the history of water conservancy education in China. The educational thoughts of these sages in higher education of water conservancy can be summarized as the water conservancy education teleology of saving the country through industry and rejuvenating the country through science and technology, the water conservancy education training goal theory of patriotism and love for water, and the core content theory of water conservancy education of practical spirit and technical norms. The essence of these thoughts has a profound impact on the development of Hohai University, laying the humanistic background of higher education in water conservancy, helping to cultivate talents in higher education in water conservancy and promoting the high-quality development of higher education.