This study presents an integrated and reliable approach for identifying optimal sites for check dam construction in the Al-Kabir Al-Shimali River Basin, Syria. The methodology combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for multi-criteria decision-making. Eight topographic and hydrological indicators derived from a 30-m Digital Elevation Model (DEM)—including the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), Topographic Position Index (TPI), The Sediment Transport Index (STI), Stream Power Index (SPI), Slope, Drainage Density (DD), Strahler Stream Order (SO)—were analyzed to evaluate land suitability for check dam placement. The resulting suitability map classifies the basin into low, medium, and high suitability zones. Highly suitable areas are concentrated along main and secondary streams, especially in the central and southern basin. Detailed insets show that these areas often align with tributary channels and depressions that exhibit favorable conditions for water harvesting and sediment control. A complementary map highlights specific proposed check dam locations, primarily distributed along smaller tributaries and the upper to middle stream segments. This pattern supports early interception of runoff and sediment before reaching downstream areas, thereby mitigating erosion and flood risks. The high site density provides decision-makers with flexibility to choose feasible sites based on logistics, accessibility, and local resources. The model’s accuracy was validated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, achieving an Area under the Curve (AUC) of (88.8%). This high AUC score confirms the model’s robustness and effectiveness. The integrated AHP-GIS framework offers a practical tool for sustainable watershed management and check dam planning in semi-arid environments.