The applicability of SWAT model in the 3 subbasins of the Dongjiang River Basin was studied. The result shows that the SWAT model for the 3 subbasins performs well. In the calibration period (1970-1975), the relative errors (Re) of daily runoff simulation and monthly runoff simulation are within 10%, the coefficient of determination (R2 ) of daily runoff simulation are more than 70%, those of monthly runoff simulation are more than 80%, and the Nash-Suttcliffe efficiency (NS) are above 70%. In the validation period (1976-1985 and 1996-2005), R2 and NS of monthly runoff simulation are above 70%, Re of it are almost within ±20%. It can meet the requirements of water resources evaluation and planning in the Dongjiang River Basin.