In order to evaluate the ecological revetment impact on the river ecosystem in plain river network at lower reaches of the Yangtze River, an evaluation index system was constructed. Based on the pattern of ecological revetment impact on the river ecosystem and the characteristics of healthy rivers, 5 aspects of water quality status, biological status, hydrological characteristics, geomorphological characteristics and socio-economy were proposed as the criterion layers of the evaluation index system. Furthermore, frequency and correlation analysis methods were applied to analyze the existing research findings in ecological revetments and river ecosystem evaluation, where 18 key indicators were highlighted. Moreover, a scoring method, a calculation method for the comprehensive index of the ecological revetment impact and criteria for grading the impact were proposed. The system can be used to evaluate the construction of ecological revetment in plain river network at lower reaches of the Yangtze River.