The Three Gorges Project(TGP)’s primary task is flood control, with emphasis being placed on the safety of the Jingjiang River. With this background, we analyze the status of flood control in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the problems in the TGP. In terms of the status and requirements of flood control in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the flood control capacity of the Three Gorges Reservoir is far lower than the excess flood amount in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The dynamic flood control capacity is lower than the designed static flood control capacity, and the valid flood control capacity is even lower. Long-term evolution of river channels has caused the water levels of Chenglingji and other areas to increase for a constant flow rate. The construction scale of the flood storage and detention area has been too small and has fallen behind schedule, resulting in difficulties in operation. In addition, water scouring has not decreased the flood water level, but has reduced the amount of flood diverted from the Jingjiang River into Dongting Lake and caused the flood discharge capability of the river channels to further degrade. Since the beginning of operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir in 2008, it has been operated for years at water levels of medium-and small-scale floods and above flood control levels, reaching the flood control capacity and reducing the flood flow downwards. As a result, the downstream river channels have not experienced floods for long periods, and their flood discharge capabilities and dikes have not been tested. Due to uncertain factors such as climate change, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River are still facing serious flood control problems. We propose suggestions as follows: pursuing the planning goals of the TGP and adopting flood regulation modes; strictly controlling the flood control level; optimizing the regulation and increasing the reservoir’s flood control capability; completing the construction of the flood storage and detention area near Chenglingji as quickly as possible, as required in the TGP; taking measures with consideration of both flood diversion and local development; optimizing the operation modes of four cascade reservoirs in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River in flood seasons; strengthening the governance of banks and slopes in the reservoir area; improving the reservoir’s flexibility in flood control and regulation; and maintaining a stable relationship between rivers and lakes in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.