[Objective] An extreme rainstorm was occurred in Yulin Region of Shaanxi Province in 26 July

2017

resulting in very serious flood hazards and economic losses. The aims of this paper were to figure out the hazards of soil erosion in the rainstorm and provide basis for soil and water conservation and rainstorm hazards defenses.[Methods] Three small watersheds (Qingshuigou

Majiagou and Shejiagou) were selected as key investigation areas in Zizhou County (the devastated area in this rainstorm) in 2-6 August

2017. Soil erosion of slope croplands

forest and grass lands after cropland abandoned

terraces

fields built by filling gullies

check dams and roads were investigated and analyzed.[Results] Rills developed evidently in slope croplands

and even small gullies developed in down slopes. While in forest and grass lands after cropland abandoned in 2000

sheet erosion was dominant and no obvious rills developed. In the new built terraces

the roads connecting two terraces

the field surfaces taking over the runoff from the roads

and the ridge in some sections were washed out seriously

and collapse occurred in the field walls. In fields built by filling gullies

crops and dam bodies were destroyed severely

the roads beside was eclipsed and the cutting walls were collapsed. Check dams were damaged more or less

but block runoff and sediment obviously. The main existing problems were wide spread steep slope farming

lacking storage and drainage systems in small watershed

deficiency in maintenance mechanism of soil and water conservation engineering

lower level of economic development

weak awareness of farmers in soil and water conservation.[Conclusion] Soil erosion under "7·26" extreme rainstorm was still severe

but it is slight in forest and grass lands after cropland abandoned. It suggested that soil and water conservation is still very important. Environmental protection measures should continue to be strengthened

and soil and water conservation

especially steep slope cropland abandonment should be increased in the fragile Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi Province. In the meanwhile

it is necessary to design and implement the storage

diversion and drainage network system in small watersheds.