This paper is the result of energy exploration engineering.

Objective Evaluation of groundwater resources is essential for the management and sustainable utilization groundwater resources as well as the preservation of the ecological environment. The groundwater resources division serves as the foundation for assessing groundwater resources.

Methods Based on the groundwater survey engineering, the theory of water cycle and groundwater system and the features of recharge, runoff, discharge and storage, the groundwater resources area of the Songliao River Basin is redivided by combining hydrogeological characteristics with surface water basins.

Results There are four division levels: 2 first-level subareas, 6 second-level subareas, 17 third-level subareas, and 56 fourth-level subareas. The first-level subarea is divided into the Songhua River Basin and Liaohe River Basin based on the first-level drainage basin of surface water. The secondary zone is centered on a broad plain (basin) and includes nearby mountain recharge zones in order to create a unified groundwater recharge and drainage system. The plains (basins) and surrounding mountain recharge areas are separated in the tertiary division. The fourth level zones in mountainous regions are divided by the fourth surface water basins, the Songnen Plain and Liaohe Plain are divided by the secondary surface water basins, and the Sanjiang Plain and Hailaer Basin remain independent and undivided.

Conclusions The division scheme of new groundwater resources area in the Songliao River Basin effectively takes into account the basin and groundwater system, and completely reflects the formation and evolution process of groundwater. It is an effective application of groundwater system theory that provides a scientific premise for the next round of groundwater resources evaluation.