Abstract: Small watershed management is a sophisticated and arduous mission, it is important to take into overall consideration of economy, society, ecology, environment and other elements. Based on the present management theory, management planning and management requirement of small watershed management in China, this paper has given a detailed introduction to the development process of small watershed management at home and abroad and mainly elaborated the idea, technology and pattern of small watershed management in some developed countries (United States, Europe, Japan) and developing countries (India, Nepal, Africa), analyzed the characteristics and key experiences; on the other hand, some questions are raised, so the author gave the outlook and thinking of the current small watershed management: we should attach great importance to combine economic, political cultural and social construction with watershed management; for the ecological and economic characteristics of different regions, we should follow the principle of adjusting measures to local conditions and suitable administration; it should be adapted to the development of social economy and has to constantly adjust the objectives and measures of comprehensive watershed treatment.