Water resource is the most important limiting factor to the social-economic development of Minqin Basin.Research into the water resources carrying capacity is significant to the sustainable development of the Basin.In this paper,we adopt both qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis to discuss the definition,connotation and affecting factors of water resources carrying capacity,and,combined with the status of the environment,society and economy in Minqin Basin,set up the index system which can be used to measure and evaluate water resources carrying capacity.According to the index system and using the acquirable data,we predict the water resources carrying capacity of the Minqin Basin in 2001,2010 and 2020.