To explore the effects of different groundwater depth and irrigation amount on maize growth effect and yield，the 2-year field experiments were carried out in Hetao irrigation district.Two factors, including underground depth of 1.4 m (S1),1.8 m (S2) and 2.2 m (S3)，and irrigation amount of 90 mm (W1)，110 mm (W2) and 135 mm (W3)，were set up，and there were nine treatments totally.The maize grouth index，yield index and water use efficiency were analyzed.The results showed that the plant height and stem diameter of maize increased the fastest in the early growth stage.The plant height at jointing stage increased nearly 3 times on average，and the stem diameter increased by 31.5% ~ 46.8%，compared with those of the seedling stage.In the whole growth period of maize，the leaf area index showed from a rapid increase to relatively flat，and then to the trend of attenuation.The differences among different treatments were significant( P<0.05).The overall effect of S2W2 treatment were better，and S2W2 treatment significantly increased water use efficiency by 8.9% ~ 34.4% and increased yield by 7.8% ~ 26.4%(P<0.05).Path analysis showed that 100-grain weight was the main decision-making factor，and stem diameter was the limiting factor.Groundwater depth and irrigation amount increased leaf area index，promoted photosynthesis，and improved 100-grain weight to increase maize yield.Based on the analysis of the influence of groundwater depth and irrigation amount on water use efficiency and maize yield，it is suggested that the average groundwater depth in Hetao irrigation district should be controlled between 1.75 ~ 1.85 m and the irrigation amount should be 107.3 ~ 116.5 mm.The research results could provide scientific basis for water-saving irrigation and improving crop yield under different groundwater depths in Hetao irrigation district and similar areas.