To evaluate the navigable conditions of the Xiangjiaba ship lift，we coordinate with the shipping authorities at ministerial，provincial，and municipal levels to define the work process and organization mode for seaworthiness tests of actual ships and carry out prototype tests of “ship-ship lift-water” mutual adaptability in the dry and wet seasons. The results show that the ship lift and facilities providing navigation aids are in good condition，and the scheduling of ship security inspection and navigation routes are scientific and rational. Under flood discharge conditions，the navigable flow conditions in the downstream approach channel and the entrance area are poor，which has a great impact on navigation. Hence，we develop and apply a new method of the “unmanned aerial vehicle（UAV）+ automatic tracking float” and “three-dimensional（3D）vision” to observe flow conditions. We propose the dual-control navigable traffic standards of the outflow from the power station of 8 500 m3/s and the flood discharge of no more than 2 200 m3/s. The results provide data support for the follow-up trial operation and navigation acceptance of the ship lift.