The effect of soil and water conservation is significant in the Yangtze River Basin. In the Jinsha River Basin, the average annual sediment load reduction by soil and water conservation was approximately 30 million tons from 1989 to 2005. In the Jialing River Basin, the average annual sediment load reduction by soil and water conservation was approximately 24.55 million tons from 1989 to 2003. In the Three Gorges Reservoir area, soil and water conservation reduced the amount of sediment load entering the reservoir by 60% from 1989 to 2004. The reduction of sediment load has an impact on river evolution and channel connectivity, although this kind of influence is indirect.