A simple semi-analytical model to estimate total suspended sediment matter (3S) was established for estimating TSM concentrations in Changjiang River Estuary. The results indicate that 3S model with near-infrared wavelengths provide good estimates of TSM concentrations in the study region. Furthermore, the applicability of 3S model was evaluated using an independent data set taken from Oujiang river estuary during September 2012. The results indicate that providing an available atmospheric correction scheme for satellite imagery, the 3S model could be used for quantitative monitoring of TSM concentration in coastal waters, even though local bio-optical information is still needed to reinitialize the model.