The canal connects two water systems,through manual excavation to dig new channel,which has both the characteristics of restricted channel and unrestricted channel.The determination of waterway classification is affected by many factors,such as transportation demand analysis,ship type and operation organization,techno-economic comparison.This paper proposes a demonstrate method for the waterway classification of canal.Firstly,based on navigation guarantee rate and canal connectivity,the canal waterway classification is defined,and different levels of waterway comparison schemes are established.Then,a transportation organization analysis is carried out.In combination with the transport volume forecast and the waterway planning scheme,quantitative and qualitative analysis are conducted on the adaptability of the waterways at both ends,transportation economy,engineering economy,and the long-term development adaptability of waterway development.The recommended classification of the canal connection waterway is comprehensively determined.Through demonstration,it is suggested that the Xiang-Gui Canal should adopt the class Ⅱ waterway standard,and can be navigable by 3,000-ton class ships during normal and flood period,which provides a reference for the planning and research of related projects of water system connecting channels.