Abstract: The spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in surface sediments of Dongting Lake from the lake entrance of Xiangjiang River to the lake exit were discussed. The ecological risk of heavy metals in the typical waters was evaluated by the potential ecological risk index based on the monitoring of seven heavy metal elements (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn) in surface sediments of the study area from 2007 to 2012. The results showed that w(Cd),w(Hg),w(As),w(Cu),w(Pb),w(Cr) and w(Zn) in the surface sediments were 0.54-79.90,0.046-0.712,5.2-289.0,9.0-217.0,6.0-246.0,5.4-269.0 and 41.4-632.0 mg/kg, respectively. w(Cd),w(Hg),w(As),w(Cu),w(Pb) and w(Zn) along the study area showed a declining trend generally; the variation of w(Cr) was smaller. Cd had very high ecological risk, Hg had medium ecological risk, and the other pollutants had lower ecological risk. The ecological risk order of heavy metals was Cd>Hg>As>Pb>Cu>Cr>Zn. The RI values of various monitoring sites ranged from 115.51 to 1000.09, with an average of 373.30. The overall study area had high ecological risk, including S1 with very high ecological risk. The ecological risk order of heavy metals in surface sediments of different sites was S1>S2>S5>S4>S3. Except for Cr, the heavy metals mainly came from Xiangjiang River, in which Cd and Hg were the main risk pollutants, including Cd as primary pollutant. Therefore, the heavy metal pollution control of Xiangjiang River should focus on Cd.