[Objective] Flooding is the most fundamental cause of check dam damage. Discussion regarding the analysis and calculation method used for designing check dams to withstand flood damage was conducted in order to provide a useful reference for further development.[Methods] Current calculation methods for designing check dams to withstand flood damage were reviewed, and the applicable characteristics of various methods were compared and analyzed. The applicability of a theoretically strong reasoning formula method for a flood design calculation applicable to check dams was determined. The physical meanings of various parameters were summarized, and then the main points of their application were put forward. A typical example was selected to study and compare the calculation characteristics and applicability of two methods.[Results] The flood survey method was reliable and feasible, but limited by the conditions of flood data. The accuracy and application of the empirical formula had regional limitations. Neither of the methods were suitable for large-scale application. The reasoning formula method had a certain theoretical basis and calculation accuracy, and was simple and practical to implement. For a specific application, attention should be given to the characteristics of check dams located in very small watersheds. For the calculation of the basin eigenvalues L and J, the part of the slope in the furthest flow should be determined. The value of point rainstorm n₁ should be selected from the range of 10 minutes to 60 minutes for the calculation of rainstorm decline index n. μ was too large and m was too small for the runoff generation and confluence parameters, and the corresponding slope values should be selected within a reasonable range.[Conclusion] The reasoning formula method should be the preferred method for the analysis and calculation of flood design characteristics for check dams. Attention must be given to the characteristics of check dams located in very small watersheds in order to grasp the key points in applying the reasoning formula method.