Abstract: The modern-day metro is key to relieve pressure on urban surface transportation． However, intrusion of the metro system into aquifers may raise risk of rising groundwater levels． With accelerated urbanization in China, it is essential to clarify this risk and assess its impacts． A three-dimensional numerical model coupled with linear metro structure was constructed in this study． Numerical simulation methods were applied to calculate the groundwater level rising values along the typical section of Jinan Metro Line 4 in short and long-term scenarios． The range of groundwater level rising was predicted under short-term scenario． The impact of groundwater level rising on the bearing capacity of shallow foundation along the metro line was calculated． Numerical range of groundwater level rising along the metro line after 1, 3 and 10 years of simulation is 12.942-24.839, 5.117-17.890, and 2.291-7.869 cm, respectively． The groundwater level rising value decreases to a lower degree after 10 years of simulation, confirming that long-term impact of engineering structure on regional groundwater flow field tends to be weak． In short-term one-year scenario where backwater effect is more obvious, backwater value of groundwater along the research section of rail transit line 4 in flood season ranges from 16.949-28.190 cm, which is 4.485 cm higher than in non-flood season． The backwater phenomenon is distributed along the line and can be divided into two obvious main backwater zones． The reduction rate of foundation bearing capacity affected by backwater is 0.186%-0.589%, the influence of groundwater backwater on foundation safety is relatively insignificant． Based on innovative understanding of influence of groundwater backwater along the linear subway project, this study provides theoretical support for solving geological environmental risks in the planning and construction of Jinan Metro Line 4．