[Objective] The soil nutrient status of dam land and terrace in a loess hilly area was studied to provide a scientific basis for the rational utilization of land resources, and restoration and improvement of the ecological environment.[Methods] The characteristic evolution of soil nutrients of dam land and terrace was studied in contrast to a barren slope in the Nianzhuang Gully watershed of Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province.[Results] The content of rapidly available phosphorus (AP), rapidly available potassium (AK), organic matter (OM), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) was found in the order of terrace > dam land, whereas the total nitrogen (TN) content was of the order of dam land > terrace. AK and TK were found at medium variation levels, whereas the other soil nutrients were at higher variation levels. In the 80 cm section, the AP, AK, OM, and TN in the dam land and terrace displayed phenotypic characteristics, and the distribution of the TP and TK profiles was uniform. In the horizontal position, the nutrient content of the dam tail and uphill terrace was higher than that of the other positions, and fertilizer performance was better. With an increase of the years of utilization, the nutrients found in the terrace (except for TK content) showed a significant trend of a decrease at first and then an increase. The AP, TN, and TP content of the dam land showed the same trend of a decrease at first and then an increase, whereas AK, OM, and TK content of the dam land showed an increase trend at first and then a decrease. The critical year (45~50 years) of the degradation of soil nutrient change in the dam land lagged by at least 15 years that of the terrace (approximately 30 years).[Conclusion] At present, except for TK, the TP, TN, and OM content of dam land, terrace, and barren slope are in short supply. Thus, regular attention should be paid to the condition of soil nutrients close to the turning point and targeted supplementary fertilizer should be added promptly to extend the land use life via reasonable management measures and the promotion of the sustainable development of farmland. Compared with dam land and terrace, the soil nutrients in the barren slope were the highest, the fertilizer supply performance was the best, and the coefficient of variation was the smallest. However, the profile distribution was not uniform and required soil preparation.