To evaluate the chemical characteristics of sediment in Heshui reservoir,contents of several nutrients and heavy metals in 19 sediment samples were analyzed.The results showed that,reservoir sediment were abundant in nutrients of total potassium,available calcium and magnesium which were 26.01 g/kg,1 466.06 mg/kg and 200.71 mg/kg respectively.The pH values of sediments were lower than 7.00 and displayed slightly acid in general.Contents of organic matter,total nitrogen and phosphorus,available nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium in sediments were moderate.The mean value of cation exchange capacity of sediment was 10.91 cmol/kg which indicated a better fertilizer holding capacity.Based on the second reference values for soil pollution specified in the GB15618-1995,contents of Cu,Zn,Pb and Cr in all sediment samples were not polluted.Cd content of sediments in the sample which was near the reservoir dam had exceeded the second level of the national standard while Cd contents in other samples were not polluted.As estimated by single-factor and multifactor way,among the 19 sediment samples,most of the samples were clean except that one sample was polluted by Cd.The results of eveluation showed that there was no adverse impact for the agricultural utilization of sediments resource on the environment.These results indicated the sediment resources can be used in soil improvement which was an effective way for the sediment utilization.