This study was to evaluate the impact of river runoff and salt intrusion by tide on nutrient balance of estuary during a complete tidal cycle. 24 hours time series survey was carried out during a spring tide July 2001 on a tidal estuary in the Keum river. Three stations(A,B,C) were set along a transect line of about 10km, which linked the lower part of estuary dyke to the subtidal zone. Surface water was sampled simultaneously at each station every hours f3r the determination of nutrients. Water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. Riverine input of silicate and nitrate during ebb tide significantly increased the concentration of all stations. Conversely, during high tide, nutrient concentration were lowered by the mixing of fresh water with sea water Ammonium nitrogen concentration were higher at intertidal zone(Stn.B) due to sewage inflow to Kyeongpo stream and ammonium release under anaerobic conditions. Also, these results was discussed as a biological component that influences the processes of nutrient regeneration within the estuary. Best correlations were found at lower part of estuary dyke(Stn.A) for salinity against DIN(Y=0.121 Sal.+4.97, r2=0.956) and silicate(Y=0.040 Sal.+2.62, r2=0.785). But no significant correlation was found between salinity and ammonium. Unbalanced elemental ratio(N/P, Si/N and Si/P) depended significantly on the import of nutrients (silicate & nitrate nitrogen) from river and stream. The effect of the tidal cycle and river runoff is important that in determining the extend of the variations in nutrient concentrations at all station.