Serious soil erosion exists in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The comprehensive control of soil and water conservation is the key measure for decreasing the sediment which flow into the Three Gorges Reservoir and improving the comprehensive benefit of the Three Gorges project.Effective identification of the small watershed (priority watershed) with serious soil erosion is the basis for improving the efficiency of fund utilization and scientific decision-making. In this study

Hechuan district in Chongqing was selected as a test area. The regional soil erosion was assessed. The priority watershed was then identified by soil loss area method

landuse-soil loss area method

and slope-soil loss area method. The parameters including the average soil loss area percentage

the percentage of different landuse and average slope degree were used to assess the priority watershed. The results showed that the average soil loss area percentage of priority watershed from slope-soil loss area method was close to those from soil loss area method. However

the priority watersheds with high slope gradient

greater area percentage of crop land

orchard land and mining land were also identified in the slope-soil loss area method. It indicates that the slope-soil loss area method was the best method for identifying priority watershed. The results could serve as the comprehensive soil and water conservation of small watersheds.