[Objective] Check-dams are used to directly intercept sediment and control soil erosion, which could significantly change the lateral migration process of soil organic carbon (SOC). The spatial distribution of SOC at a check-dam site and the impact of watershed land use on the distribution of SOC in the shallow soil layer (0—200 cm) of the check-dam site was analyzed in order to provide a scientific basis for the coordinated development of check-dam construction and watershed ecological environment. [Methods] Three small watersheds with significant differences in the proportion of grassland, sloping farmland, and terraced land in the Chabagou catchment were investigated. A combination of remote sensing interpretation, field sampling, and indoor testing was used to study the spatial distribution characteristics of SOC in check-dams and their response to land use. [Results] ① In the vertical soil profile, SOC content was highest in the surface soil (0—20 cm), and rapidly decreased with increasing soil depth. The variation of SOC content in the deep layer was relatively small, fluctuating around 3.5 g/kg. ② In the downstream direction of water flow, due to the influence of soil erosion and sedimentation characteristics, the SOC content was relatively higher in the middle and later sections of the check-dams. In the direction parallel to the check-dams, the SOC content on both sides was relatively higher. ③ The B check-dam with a high proportion of terraced fields in the watershed had a significantly higher mean SOC (4.4 g/kg) than both the A check-dam (3.9 g/kg) and C check-dam (3.5 g/kg). ④ The SOC content of terraced fields in the watershed was the highest, and the construction of terraced fields affected the soil particle size of eroded sediment, resulting in a significant positive correlation between the proportion of terraced fields in the watershed and the SOC content of the soil layer on the check-dam surface. The surface SOC content of grassland was relatively lower, resulting in a negative correlation between the surface SOC content of the check-dams and the grassland. The SOC density of sloping farmland was positively correlated with the SOC content on the surface of the check-dams. However, due to the small area of sloping farmland, its proportion was not significantly correlated with the SOC content on the surface of the check-dam fields. [Conclusion] Due to soil erosion, SOC sources, and mineralization characteristics, the SOC content in the surface layer of check-dams was the highest, and SOC content rapidly decreased and tended to stabilize with increasing soil depth. The high level of SOC and the erosion characteristics of finer particles in terraced land led to the highest SOC content at the B check-dam site, which had the highest proportion of terraces. The positive response of terrace construction in watersheds to SOC content of check-dam sites in the loess hilly and gully area. Terraces and check-dams not only reduce soil erosion in watersheds, but can also significantly increase SOC content and improve the microenvironment.