To comprehend the contamination levels of heavy metals in surface sediments of Shaying River (Anhui Section, China), samples of sediments were collected using grab samplers in 14 sampling sites in the river. Chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in sediments were monitored via flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, and arsenic (As) via atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. The geo-accumulation index (I_geo), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were applied to evaluate the sediment pollution of the five heavy metals. The results indicate that the mean concentration levels (range) of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and As in sediments were 58.38 (29.89-116.66), 5.41 (3.14-10.93), 38.51 (23.77-60.83), 35.10 (19.28-82.21), and 0.44 (0.13-1.46) mg/kg, respectively. The mean I_geo values of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and As were -0.69, 5.41, 0.36, -0.13, and -4.84, respectively. The average potential ecological coefficients (E_rⁱ) of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and As were 1.95, 324.70, 6.42, 7.02, and 0.29, respectively. The RI values of the five heavy metals ranged from 197.65 to 687.24, and the mean was 340.38. Among the studied heavy metals, Cd was the highest contaminating element, whereas As was the lowest. Especially Cd was the main contributor to RI in all the sampling sites. Moreover, Cr, Cd, Pb, and As might have similar sources of contamination based on the Pearson correlation matrix of analysis.