This paper has as purpose the inventory of significant pressures of surface water bodies and the generated ecological status in the lower Jiu River. Three surface water bodies are analysed along the sector of interest (Isalniţa Reservoir, JIU: Isalniţa Reservoir-Bratovoieşti and JIU: Bratovoieşti-Danube confluence), and the delimitation of the water bodies was made according to the Management Plan of the Jiu River Basin (2016-2022). The Water Framework Directive provides that only significant pressures must be taken into account, i.e. pressures with a significant impact on water, resulting in the failure to meet environmental objectives for the studied water bodies. This approach, correlated with the list of pressures and the particular characteristics of the catchment, will lead to the identification of significant pressures. An alternative method is for the conceptual understanding to be summarized in a simple set of rules that indicates directly if a pressure is significant. Such an approach would be to compare the magnitude of the pressure with a relevant criterion or limit value for the water body. Therefore, the significant pressures identified in the study area are point, diffuse and hydro morphological pressures. For the pressure and impact analysis, the DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response-Response) concept is used, so for the inventory information must be included about anthropogenic activities and the changes in the state of the water body, and the response (measures taken to improve the condition of the water body). The ecological status of the water bodies is defined by the quality elements indicated in the Water Framework Directive (transposed in Romania by Water Law 107/1996 as subsequently amended and supplemented), respectively biological elements, hydro morphological elements, general physico-chemical elements and specific pollutants, applying the “worst case” principle among the quality elements. The analysis of these elements was done on monitoring sections, the results being relevant (moderate ecological status) for the three water bodies considered. The importance of this research consists in rising the awareness among communities about the reduction of pressures on water bodies along the Lower Jiu River, and in making local and regional authorities responsible for the importance and maintenance of the good ecological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]