Abstract: To address the limitations in inspection systems such as low operational efficiency, difficulties in optimal UAV base station placement, and limited AI capabilities, this study proposed a comprehensive method for an intelligent UAV-based inspection system for reservoir, informed by reservoir management requirements and field operational conditions. With the functional architecture design, UAV base station platform design and AI-integrated inspection applications of this system, the approach was implemented at Longhekou Reservoir as a case study. The results showed that the system effectively overcame challenges of deployment in complex terrain, while substantially enhanced inspection efficiency, and realized Longhekou Reservoir′s objectives of unattended operation, autonomous UAV patrolling, AI-enabled intelligent monitoring.