The current situation of water resources utilization in the Yellow River Basin was studied to provide reference for the efficient utilization of water resources. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan Province, Qinghai Province, Shaanxi Province and Shanxi Province are all located in the Yellow River basin. Due to complex natural conditions and sensitivity to climate change, the ecosystem in these regions is relatively fragile and susceptible to external disturbances. Through research and improvement, ecological benefits and economic benefits can be achieved. Based on the panel data of the Yellow River Basin from 2015 to 2023, the ecological footprint theory was used to evaluate the current situation of water resources utilization in this region. The study found that the ecological footprint of water resources in the Yellow River Basin showed slight fluctuation and slight increase. In addition, industrial water consumption decreased year by year, agricultural water consumption remained unchanged, domestic water consumption increased significantly, and ecological water consumption also increased. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has the lowest water resources sustainable utilization index and the highest water resources ecological stress index, while Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi provinces also have the lowest water resources utilization index. The four provinces (autonomous regions) need to improve their water use capacity to change the current bad situation of water resources utilization. At the same time, the water resources utilization index of Sichuan Province, Qinghai Province and Shanxi province is higher. According to the current situation of water resources utilization in the Yellow River basin, suggestions on efficient utilization of water resources are put forward to provide reference for formulating relevant policies.