<p>Sustainable river governance increasingly relies on legal frameworks that integrate ecological indicators with coordinated governance mechanisms. This study examines the Yangtze River Protection Law (YRPL), China’s first national legislation for a single river basin, to evaluate how ecological indicators can enhance the law’s capacity to achieve measurable ecological outcomes. Drawing on interviews with 40 stakeholders, including legal practitioners, ecologists, policymakers, and community representatives, this study identifies persistent barriers such as ambiguous goals, the absence of ecological indicators, and uneven enforcement across regions. To address these challenges, the study proposes a multi-dimensional framework that centers on ecological indicators, such as biodiversity recovery and flow stability, while recognizing the enabling role of stakeholder engagement and governance adaptability. The proposed indicators, including biodiversity recovery rates, flow stability, and enforcement consistency, build on existing ecological assessment standards to enhance legal accountability and comparability. By integrating ecological science with legal analysis, the study offers a replicable model for assessing river protection laws and contributes to international debates on how law can operationalize ecological resilience.</p>