[Objective] The paper aims to study the evolution processes

variation characteristics

influence factors of the water storage ponds in Changwu tableland according to the survey data in recent years

in order to illuminate the possible role of the water storage pond as a surface water body to recharge of the groundwater.[Methods] Data of water storage ponds was collected by field surveys.[Results] (1) The number and area of water storage pond generally showed a decreasing trend in the study period. In the early 1980s

the changes were relatively slow. However

it shrank faster in the later years. From the year 2010 to 2014

the number and area of water storage pond reduced at a maximum rate per year of-5.71% and-4.80%

respectively.(2) With the economic and social development

the role of water storage pond played in the countryside becomes smaller. With the village layout changes and the ignorance of pond management

lots of ponds are disappearing. Moreover

the storage time of extant ponds becomes shorter

and many of them changed into seasonal storage ponds.(3) As the pond area decreased

the groundwater level also declined

indicating a possible relationships between them. The loss of ponds' replenishment may somehow cause changes in the groundwater level.[Conclusion] Under the influence of human activities

the water storage pond in the Changwu tableland was seriously reduced

and some actions should be taken to recover and construct the water storage ponds in future.