To identify the prominent water resources problems in the Yellow River Basin and analyze the utilization of water resources in the basin scientifically, the emergy water ecological footprint model, which is the combination of emergy theory and water ecological footprint method, was constructed. The emergy water ecological footprint, emergy water ecological carrying capacity and water ecological profit of the Yellow River Basin from 2011 to 2018 were calculated and analyzed. The results indicated that during this period, the emergy water ecological footprint in the Yellow River Basin increased steadily, while the emergy water ecological carrying capacity decreased and then increased. Despite of that, the emergy water ecological carrying capacity has always been less than the emergy water ecological footprint, and the water ecological deficit did not turn around. Agricultural water ecological footprint accounted for the largest proportion of total water ecological footprint, while environmental ecological water footprint accounted for the lowest proportion. There were significant differences in emergy water ecological footprint and carrying capacity among different provinces(regions)in the basin. Except for that in Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces where the water ecological surplus was large, the water resources utilization in many provinces(regions)was unsustainable. The water resources security in the Yellow River Basin is not so promising. It is necessary to regulate water resources rationally and improve water efficiency, to promote the coordinated development of society, economy and environment in the basin.