Water resources are indispensable for human survival and economic and social development. Ensuring sustainable utilization of water resources is important for sustainable economic and social development; therefore, studying the sustainable utilization of water resources and their contribution to water control in China is essential. Based on previous research, this study expounds the background of the sustainable utilization of water resources and the history of foreign and domestic research. Here, the research on sustainable utilization of water resources in China was first divided into three stages: early stage (before 2000), 2000-2010, and after 2010. We then introduced the representative results and research status based on the summary of China's thoughts on water control since 2000, and the contribution of the research on sustainable utilization of water resources to modern water control in China is expounded. Finally, the developmental needs of water control and the research prospects of the sustainable utilization of water resources under the new situation were analyzed. These findings can provide a reference for further research on the sustainable utilization of water resources and the formulation of water control strategies in China.