In order to improve the calculation accuracy of the contribution rate of check dams and reveal the effect of check dams on the reduction of sediment discharge in watershed. Taking Dali river basin as the research object, we developed a method based on integrated GIS and soil erosion model to calculate the annual sediment deposition of check dams. The results showed that: (1) From 1954 to 2011, the sediment reduction in check dams increased in a fluctuant way year by year, and the average and cumulative capacity were 0.12×10⁸ t and 7.17×10⁸ t respectively. In the period of 1980—1989, the average sediment reduction in check dams reached up to 0.19×10⁸ t. (2) The sediment discharge of Dali river were significantly reduced in 1960-2015, and had significant mutations in both 1971 and 2002 (P<0.05). (3) Human activity was the main reason for sediment reducing in Dali river watershed, the contribution of sediment reduction in check dams were 47.42% in 1971-2001, while declined to 31.04% in 2002-2011 with the restoration of vegetation in Dali river watershed. The method we proposed was helpful for evaluating the contribution rate of sediment reduction of check dams in Dali river basin. After 2000, the contribution rate decreased in Dali river basin due to vegetation restoration in this area.