Phosphorus sorption capacity of the surficial sediments are estimated by the phosphorus sorption index (PSI) and the degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) of the sediments in the Dongping Lake, China. In addition, the risk of potential phosphorus release was also analyzed. The results showed that PSI gradually increased from the middle and the east of the lake to the north and the south, which was fan-shaped. However, the variation tendency of DPS was contray to this of PSI. PSI was very significantly and positively correlated to iron (FeOX) extracted from sediment by ammonium oxalate. DPS was significantly and positively correlated to phosphorus (POX) extracted from sediment by ammonium oxalate. Additionally, the analysis of the phosphorus release risk index (RRI) indicated that the Dongping Lake might be in high potential eutrophication risk due to the release of phosphorus from the surfacial sediments.