Change in landuse caused by a population increase from 114,973 people in 2007 to 134,792 people in 2012 (14.70% increased) has influenced the hydrological characteristics of Way Betung watershed. The Soil and Water Assesment Tools (SWAT) hydrological model could predict the hydrological characteristics influenced by the change in landuse. The aims of this study were: 1) to assess the impact of landuse change on hydrological characteristics; and, 2) to recommend the best landuse of Way Betung Watershed.The SWAT model was applied to simulate the change of landuse in Way Betung watershed. The effects of landuse change on the hydrological characteristics of Way Betung Watershed in 2001, 2006, and 2010 showed the water yield of 874.66, 1047.70, and 774.04 mm respectively. The coefficient of surface runoff (C) for those three years were 0.16, 0.31, and 0.23, whereas the coeficient of river regime were 30.65, 66.25, and 53.57 respectively. The application of agrotechnology on agricultural land and in line with the functions of forest area (scenario 4) gave the best response towards hydrological characteristics in the form of 709.69 mm of water yield with C being 0.14, whereas the coeficient of river regime value was 3.66.