Based on GIS technology and the standard of water consumption in river basin, the water resources carrying capacity of Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone was analyzed. The results showed that the average carrying index of water resources was high in the study area, implying the high degree of water resources utilization. Most counties belong to the districts of water balance or water surplus, meaning that the population can be carried by the current water resources or less difficulty bearing in these regions. While in the middle and northeast regions of Guanzhong, and the northwest regions of Tianshui city, the phenomenon of water overload was more serious, and it was hard to carry the current population by the water resources.

water resources carrying capacity; the standard of water consumption in river basin; GIS；Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone