Abstract: In Urumqi and surrounding areas, 5 typical river channels were selected, with 3 sampling points (a total of 15 sampling points) set up for each channel to collect sediment samples. By measuring the physical and chemical properties, nitrogen and phosphorus content, and fractions of river sediments, and evaluating the ecological risk of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution levels in river sediment, so as to reveal the distribution characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus content and fractions in river sediments and their potential ecological risks. The results show that the total nitrogen contents of the sediments were between 1 699.23 and 3 702.93 mg·kg^-1 (the average content was 2 799.40 mg·kg^-1), and the total phosphorus contents were between 596.65 to 1 729.53 mg·kg^-1 (the average content was 994.82 mg·kg^-1). The main fractions of transformable nitrogen (TTN) in the sediment were strong oxidant leachable nitrogen (SOEF-N) and weak acid leachable nitrogen (WAEF-N), accounting for 43.94% and 40.42% of TTN, respectively. The main phosphorus fractions of inorganic phosphorus in the sediments were calcium-bound phosphorus (HCl-P) and residual phosphorus (Res-P), accounting for 58.94% and 14.94% of total phosphorus (TP), respectively. The average content of bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) was 134.92 mg·kg^-1, accounting for 12.48% of TP. The main fractions of organic phosphorus in the sediment were fulvic acid-bound organic phosphorus (Fulvic-OP) and hydrochloric acid-leachable organic phosphorus (HCl-OP), accounting for 34.38% and 32.95% of organic phosphorus, respectively. According to Redundancy analysis, TP content, pH, and Fe₂O₃ content were the main factors affecting the distribution characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus fractions in river sediments. The comprehensive pollution index method evaluation show that the comprehensive pollution degrees of TP and TN in the river sediments were moderate or severe. The results can provide basic data and scientific basis for urban river water environment management and river administration in the northwest arid region of China.