[Objective] The potential of check dams to retain silt and utilize water resources were analyzed in order to provide a basis for water resource utilization and management of check dams.[Methods] The current construction status

the quantity and spatial distribution of sediment retention

the utilization benefit

and the potential of water resources for check dams in sandy and coarse sand areas of Gansu Province were analyzed by investigation.[Results] By the end of 2019

1 600 check dams had been built in Gansu Province

including 559 large dams

452 medium dams

and 589 small dams. These dams controlled an area of 4 101 km2

with a total capacity of 481.95 million m3

of which the designed siltation capacity was 229.08 million m3. The current soil interception capacity of these dams was 142.87 million m3

accounting for 62.37% of the designed interception capacity. The interception amounts of large

medium

and small dams accounted for 80.86%

13.21% and 5.93%

respectively

of the total interception by check dams. The Jinghe River basin

the main channel of the Yellow River

the Liujiaxia Reservoir area

the Weihe River basin

and the Taohe River basin accounted for 71.46%

13.91%

12.72%

1.91%

respectively of the total interception. Due to a decrease in the soil erosion modulus

the actual mean interception capacity of large dams accounted for 43.88% of their designed capacity after 17 years of siltation (the average designed siltation period was 15 years). The actual mean interception capacity of medium-sized dams accounted for 38.81% of their designed capacity after 13 years of siltation (the average designed siltation period was 10 years). The remaining storage capacity of the check dams in Gansu Province was 86.21 million m3 that can be used to store water for utilization. Currently

water in check dams is mainly used for drought emergencies

efficient water-saving irrigation of farmland and orchards

diversified land management

comprehensive economic development

livestock and poultry breeding

and comprehensive development and utilization of water. In the future

147 check dams can be used to reserve water for human drinking

irrigation

and aquaculture (fish ponds) in Qingyang

Pingliang

Tianshui

and Anding of Dingxi.[Conclusion] In order to meet the social demand for check dams in the local rural revitalization and high-quality development strategy

for areas with water storage and water needs

the design standards of new dams should be improved

and high-standard check dams that can store water for a long time should be built. The large and medium-sized check dams that have been built will be upgraded reconstruction to ensure the safety of the check dam body

flood control and water resources utilization. More importantly

it is necessary to establish an early warning mechanism for the risk management and control of check dams to effectively resolve the contradiction between water storage and flood control management in check dams in water-deficient areas.