[Objective] The aim of this study is to explore the changes of runoff-sediment relationship at flood event scale in typical watersheds of the Loess Plateau, to discuss the regulation of runoff-sediment relationship by comprehensive management of soil and water conservation, and to provide reference for future ecological restoration and comprehensive management of soil and water conservation in the Loess Plateau. [Methods] We selected the Gushanchuan, Jialuhe and Xichuanhe watershed to explore the changes of runoff-sediment relationship at flood event scale in three watersheds. Based on their flood event data of 1974—1989 and 2007—2019, a linear model was used to analyze the changes of runoff-sediment relationship in different periods of three watersheds, the Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to investigate the correlation of runoff and sediment-related variables, and the driving factors of runoff-sediment relationship change in each watershed were identified. [Results] The runoff depths and sediment yields of flood events in 2007—2019 of each watershed significantly reduced(p<0.05) compared with 1974—1989, and the greatest changes were observed in the Gushanchuan watershed, with a decrease of 56.48% and 95.03%, respectively. The change in the amount of sediment yield in the Jialuhe watershed was not obvious and the increase in runoff depth was mainly due to the low degree of vegetation restoration in the watershed, the relatively low impact of soil and water conservation measures, and the increase of rainfall in recent years. [Conclusion] After the implementation of soil and water conservation measures, the runoff-sediment relationship of each watershed had changed significantly, and the linear relationship between runoff depth and sediment yield had weakened, which was due to the implementation of soil and water conservation measures on the Loess Plateau, especially the large-scale vegetation restoration, which had reduced the sediment production and transportation capacity of the unit runoff depth in the watersheds, and resulting in the reduction of sediment into the Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]