Abstract: The Huang-Huai-Hai plain is the region of China where the groundwater was first abstracted and where the degree of its use is the highest. The increase in groundwater use has produced numerous hydrological changes. They include: the decline of the groundwater level and the appearance of cones of depression, effects on the recharge of shallow aquifers by rain infiltration: impacts on surface runoff; and the effects of well irrigation and drainage for salinization and alkalization. A basic principle of reasonable abstraction of groundwater entails the control of the groundwater level. The key step in barnessing drought, waterlogging, salinization and alkalization is the control of the use of shallow groundwater in the Huang-Huai-Hai plain.