This paper is the result of hydrogeological survey engineering.

Objective Shaanxi Province is an important province where the Yellow River flows. Revealing groundwater resource endowment, exploring distribution characteristics, influencing factors and exploitation and utilization potential of groundwater resources can provide important support for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

Methods Taking Shaanxi Province of Yellow River Basin as the study area, the groundwater resources are evaluated by dividing evaluation units. The Thiel index is introduced to assess differences in the distribution of groundwater resources by region in terms of both population and area. Grey correlation analysis is used to explore the influencing factors and degree of groundwater resource distribution. The exploitation and utilization degree and potential of groundwater resources in each administrative region are evaluated quantitatively by means of water resource load index and exploitation potential index.

Results The annual average groundwater resource in Shaanxi Province of the Yellow River Basin is 77.59×10⁸ m³/a. The regional distribution of groundwater resources varies greatly. The population and area distribution of groundwater resources in Guanzhong Basin area of each evaluation unit has the largest difference, and the difference of groundwater resources distribution between Yan'an City and Xi'an City is the largest. Precipitation is the most important factor affecting groundwater resources in the whole region, followed by human activities, especially agricultural irrigation. Surface water factors have a great impact on Weinan and Yulin cities, and evapotranspiration has a certain impact on groundwater resources in Yan'an, Yulin and Baoji. The groundwater exploitation potential index of the study area is between 0.8 and 2.5, and the groundwater resource load index shows an upward trend, which is a high load area compared with the whole country. The spatial difference of development and utilization potential of each administrative region is obvious. The region with high development degree is concentrated in Guanzhong City Group. Xi'an City has the highest development degree, whereas Tongchuan City has the lowest development and utilization degree.

Conclusions The distribution of groundwater resources and development potential in Shaanxi Province of the Yellow River Basin is very different, and the influencing factors are multiple. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the optimal allocation of water resources, zoning and classification regulation, and build a more coordinated pattern of resource development.