Abstract: In order to reveal the spatial distribution and pollution risk of heavy metals in surface sediments of Qianxia Lake, field investigation and sediment sampling were carried out. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to explore the sources of heavy metals in surface sediments. Meanwhile, the pollution situation and potential risk degree in the lake region were evaluated based on geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and Hakanson potential ecological risk index (RI). The results indicated that: ① Excessive Cd appeared in lake region seriously. The average Cd content in sediment was 2.88 mg/kg, especially at S6 and S7 point their exceeding times were 11.9 and 22.5 respectively. Phenomenon of local excess As existed. ② The correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that the Cu, As, Pb belonged to first principal components, which mainly derived from the large-scale use of fertilizers and pesticides during agricultural production and input of rural domestic sewage, and the content of Cd, Zn in the second principal components were primarily affected by rural living and inflowing rivers. The content of Cr in the third principal components were mainly influenced by the sediment itself. ③ The results of geo-accumulation index and potential ecological risk index suggested that the sediment pollution risks at S5, S6 and S7 were the highest, in which the Cd showed a severe potential ecological risk.