The study area was Shuimo River, a typical urban river in the arid area in Urumqi. Heavy metal contents and distribution characteristics in the riparian soils of the Shuimo River were studied, and heavy metal pollution was evaluated, by combining classical statistics and geo-statistics correlation method. The results showed that the contents of heavy metals differed slightly at different soil depths. From the aspect of land use mode, human activities significantly interfered with the change of heavy metal content in the riparian soils, the correlations between heavy metals reflect the homology and diversity of several heavy metals to some degree. The results of principal component analysis indicated that Cu and Zn were the characteristic heavy metals which were controlled by multiple factors. From the aspect of spatial distribution, the peak value points of the distribution of heavy metals in the surface soil was similar, being mainly at the southern tip of the river. Single factor pollution indices of heavy metals in the riparian soils at different depths were all less than one, indicating that the soil was not polluted. Nemerow integrated pollution index in the riparian soils at different depth was 1.26 (0—20 cm),1.20 (20—40 cm) and 1.32 (40—60 cm), respectively, all with 1.0＜P≤2.0 and at level Ⅲ, indicating slight pollution. The carrying capacity for different heavy metals in different soil layers was relatively high, belonging to the moderate capacity region. In general, the environmental quality in regard of heavy metals in the riparian soils of Shuimo River was in a good condition. In summary, Cu and Zn are the main heavy metals causing pollution, and heavy metal pollution is affected by human activities such as factory distribution, river diversion and reservoir construction. In short, there is yet no pollution or light pollution in the riparian soils of Shuimo River currently, the environmental quality is good.