自古以來水資源的有效使用和人類的生存息息相關，石門水庫之興建可謂當代的創舉，美援的加入則恰似興建過程的催化劑，加速了石門水庫興建的化學反應，但亦產生若干副作用，本文探討的重點有三：（一）早期石門水庫灌區由埤塘引水、小規模的區域灌溉，發展到國家權力的介入、大規模的水利建設。探討石門水庫之興建背景，在諸多人文、自然…環境的時空變遷條件下，如何帶動石門水庫的興建。（二）深究石門水庫興建的過程中諸多實務性的問題，如興建過程中遭遇的技術與經費之困難問題緣由及如何去因應面對。（三）分析美援運用於石門水庫興建之利弊得失，確切剖析美援如何運用於石門水庫興建之階段，探索美援對興建過程的走向影響，以了解美援運用於石門水庫興建之全貌。 Since the ancient time, the effective use of water resources and the survival of humanity are closely linked. The construction of Shimen Reservior is pioneering works at the present time. And the joining of American Aid acts as a catalyst in the process of construction. It not only accelerates the chemical reaction of the construction of Shimen Reservior, but also has certain effects on the other side. There are three key points in the article discussion : （1） Discuss the background of Shimen Reservior construction: the involvement of the government; from the scale region irrigation by the dam to the large- scale water conservancy facility; under the changes of humanities, nature and environment, how to build the reservior. （2） Discuss the practical questions during the building of Shimen Reservior : how to solve and face the problems of the funds and the technology skills. （3） Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of United States Aid in utilizing of Shimen Reservior construction : explore how the American Aid was used and the influences of it ; understand the complete pictures of Shimen Reservior construction supported by American Aid. Key wards：Shimen Reservior，United States Aid，the funds，the technology skills，Council for United States Aid。
