Based on water footprint theory and GIS method, water footprint population density, water footprint economic benefits and the degree of water resources scarcity were calculated and analyzed under three different scales. The results show that the per capita water footprint of Weihe River basin was 829.67 m3/ person. The area with the highest water consumption in agriculture is located in the lower reaches of the basin, near Xi′an and Weinan city. The high value areas of industrial, domestic and ecological water consumption are all concentrated in the urban area of Xi′an city. The average water footprint population density of Weihe River basin is 12.61 person / 10 000 m3, the high value is distributed in the northeast of Weihe River basin and the north slope of the Qinling mountains. The urban areas of Xi′an and Xianyang city have the lowest population carrying capacity. The average water footprint economic benefits is 49.47 yuan/m3. The values in the north of Yulin city, the urban area of Baoji city, the urban edge of Xi′an city are relatively high. The degree of water scarcity is 0.71 in Weihe River basin. BeiLuo watershed is relatively rich in water resources with 0.41 water scarcity degree. However, the water shortage degree of each city is greater than 1 because of the uneven distribution of water resources, the urban areas are under great pressure of water resources. Cities and towns should strengthen residents′ awareness of watersaving to reduce sewage discharge, surrounding areas should build reservoirs, plant trees to strengthen the storage of water. The core cities can properly transfer water from Beiluo watershed and the north of Qinling mountains to relieve the enormous pressure of water resources.

water footprint; Weihe River basin; space mapping; water resources evaluation