In order to reveal the distribution characteristics and sources of heavy metal in urban lakes,water and sediments from Lake Qingshan,Xianghu and Qianhu located in Nanchang were sampled and analyzed.After chemical analysis for Cr,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd and Pb,factor analysis,geological accumulation index and comprehensive potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate the heavy metal pollution levels.The statistical methods including principal component analysis were applied to identify the sources of heavy metal pollution for studied water area.The results indicated that Cr,Cd and Pb were the main heavy metal pollution elements,and heavy metal pollution from Lake Qianhu was the most serious.Meanwhile,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd and Pb in sediment were also faced with different levels of pollution.The pollution levels of different lakes were as follows:Cd>Cu>Pb>Ni>Zn.Lake Qianhu has the greatest ecological risk,followed by Lake Xianghu.Principal component analysis revealed that heavy metals were mainly derived from transportation the emissions of waste water and waste gas.In order to reduce pollution,more measures should be taken in terms of transportation planning,vehicle exhaust emissions and sewage treatment.