In order to explore the applicability of SWAT model in plain watershed, a case study about the runoff simulation in an actual plain water shed was performed. Based on the SWAT model of Balihe Lake Basin established in this study, the monthly average water flow of the basin from 2010 to 2016 was simulated utilizing the hydro meteorological data, DEM data and land use data in the relevant period. Owing to the high average annual evaporation in this basin, the average runoff coefficient of the plain area is calculated to be 0.3. This is in good agreement with the expected results, which proves that the model has certain applicability in the Balihe Lake basin.