High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) were operated at pilot scale to investigate the performance of HRAP under the temperate climate conditions of Shanghai, China. The results indicated that the HRAP gave good efficiency for nutrient removal, especially during summer. With a retention time of 4 or 8d according to the season, the annual average removal efficiencies for COD, NH4-N and PO4-P were 50%, 87% and 40%, respectively. The multi-factor linear models showed the relationships between nutrient removal efficiency and influencing factors. Using a macrophyte pond to separate algae from HRAP can achieve concentrations of COD, TP and TKN in the effluent at around 50 mg/L, 1.5 mg/L and 5 mg/L respectively.