Background The Jinsha River is the main sand-producing area in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Studying the characteristics and driving factors of water-sediment changes in the Jinsha River is of great significance to the implementation of soil and water conservation measures in the future, the regulation of the relationship between water and sand in the Yangtze River, and the rational use of water resources.

Methods This paper selects the water and sediment data of the Doushaguan Hydrological Station from 1959 to 2018 for a total of 60 years, and uses the Mann-Kendall trend analysis and the hydrological index change range method (IHA/RVA) to determine the annual runoff and annual sediment transport. The double cumulative curve method and the cumulative slope rate of change method were used to quantitatively calculate the impact of human activities on the water and sand regime.

Results 1) The multi-year average discharge and total annual precipitation at Doushaguan Hydrological Station from 1959 to 2018 showed a downward trend, but the trend was not significant; the annual average sediment transport rate showed a downward trend, with a significant trend. 2) After soil erosion control, the hydrological change degree of the monthly average discharge value of Doushaguan Station Hydrological Station reached 34%, showing a moderate change; the hydrological change degree of the monthly average sediment content value reached 40.58%, showing a moderate change. 3) Human activities, annual precipitation, and annual potential evaporation contribute 69.22%, 29.66%, and 1.12% to the annual sediment transport, respectively. The total sediment reduction affected by human activities is 2 564.66×10⁴ t, and average annual amount was 116.57×10⁴ t Human activities were the most important factor influencing changes in sediment transport of Guanhe Basin.

Conclusions This paper analyzes the change trend of water and sediment before and after the impact of human activities in 1996, and the degree of change in the hydrological indicators of the Guanhe Basin for a total of 60 years in the two phases, and further explores the changes in water and sediment regimes before and after soil erosion control. Provide reference for ecological protection and restoration of Guanhe River.