Long-term trends and distribution patterns of water quality were investigated in the Cheonsu Bay of Korea from 1983 to 2004. Water samples were collected at 4 stations and physicochemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, suspended solids (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutrients. Spatial distribution patterns were not clear between stations but the seasonal variations were distinctive except COD, SS and nitrate. Twenty two year long-term trend analysis by PCA revealed the significant changes in water quality in the study area. Water quality during 1980's and early 1990's showed high SS, low nutrients and low COD which increased during the mid and late 1990's and early 2000's. Overall water quality in the Cheonsu Bay indicated the increase in nutrients and COD concentration.