The Xinjiang river basin is the second largest tributary of the Poyang Lake,whose runoff and sediment variation directly affects the hydrological regimes of the Poyang Lake.This paper investigated the runoff and sediment load change and its response to rainfall erosivity in the Xinjiang river basin based on the rainfall data of seven meteorological stations in the Xinjiang river basin and the annual runoff and sediment load data of the Meigang hydrological station from 1960 to 2014 using Mann-Kendall non-parametric test and double cumulative curve methods.The results showed that the annual average runoff of Xinjiang river was 179.8×108 m3with an insignificant increasing trend (P>0.05).The annual average sediment load was 198.9×104t with a significant decreasing trend (P<0.001).The annual average rainfall erosivity was 11 270 MJ·mm/(hm2·h)and showed an insignificant increasing trend.The double mass curve relationship between sediment load and the rainfall erosivity appeared an inflection point in 1999.Compared with the base period(1960-1998),rainfall erosivity made the annual average sediment load increased by 14.0×104t,and its impact degree on the variation of sediment load was 10.8% during change period(1999-2014).The average annual sediment load was reduced by 143.5×104t due to human activities,and the impact degree on the variation of sediment discharge was-110.8%.As a result,the sediment load decreased.The construction of the reservoirs and the implementation of large-scale soil and water conservation measures were the main reasons for the reduction of sediment load in the Xinjiang river basin.The study results can provide reference for the prevention and control of soil and water loss and the utilization of soil and water resources in the basin.