For exploring the macroinvertebrate community characteristics of the Weihe River mainstream and its typical tributaries originating from the northern Qinling Mountains, investigation of water environment and macroinvertebrates was conducted in 40 sampling sites in October 2017 and May 2018. Furthermore, Margalef richness and biological index (BI) biological indices were used to assess the water quality of studied rivers. Altogether 210 macroinvertebrates species were identified, belonging to 187 genera, 75 families, 8 classes and 5 phyla. Aquatic insects were the dominant group, accounting for 89.0% of the total species number, and the Baetis sp. was the dominant species in all studied rivers. The tributary Shitou River, had the highest values of total density(616.3 ind./m²), and the highest total biomass(5.265 g/m²). Whereas the total density (125.6 ind./m²) and total biomass (0.289 g/m²) of macroinvertebrates were both lowest in the Weihe River mainstream. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H')and Margalef richness index(R)of five typical tributaries were characterized by good water quality and significantly higher than those of the Weihe River mainstream, whereas the Pielou evenness index(J)showed insignificant difference between mainstream and tributaries. Pearson correlation analysis and the multiple linear regression analysis showed that “Silt plus clay” type substrate, conductivity, pH and nitrate nitrogen were the primary environment factors effecting the macroinvertebrate community characteristics in studied rivers. According to the water quality evaluation results of the richness index and the BI method, 73.3% and 80.0% of the mainstream sites were identified as moderately to heavily polluted, but 80.0% and 68.0% of tributary sites were identified as non-polluted to slightly polluted. This study can provide basic data supports for ecological management and protection in the Weihe River Basin.