This study selected the monthly data of thirty-five groundwater observation wells located in three representative sub-irrigation areas (Shache, Bachu and Maigaiti irrigation areas), and used five influencing factors, including runoff, precipitation, actual evapotranspiration, irrigation water amount, groundwater exploitation. The variations of groundwater depth (GWD) in the irrigated area from 2006 to 2017 and its leading factors were studied based on sensitivity analysis and relative contribution rate. The results showed that the variation of GWD of Bachu sub-irrigated area was the biggest compared to the two other sub-irrigated areas. The GWD of Bachu and Maigaiti sub-irrigated areas were susceptible to the season changes than Shache sub-irrigated area. The main influencing factor of groundwater depth change in the Yarkant River irrigation area is
over-exploitation of groundwater, and is also related to the geographical location of the sub-irrigation area.