Abstract:[Objective] The research on the preferential flow characteristics triggered by cracks in the coal mining subsidence area can provide support for the scientific and rational development of water resource management and ecological management practice in the mining area. [Methods] Three cracks of the same width (3 cm) were selected in the coal mining subsidence area of Shenfu-Dongsheng Coal Field to carry out the staining tracer test with the same rainfall intensity and different rainfall durations. Processing software such as Adobe Photoshop 2020, Image Pro Plus 6.0, SketchUp Pro 2019, and Auto CAD 2019 were used to analyze the preferential flow characteristics of cracks under different rainfall calendars. [Results] (1) the soil volumetric water content, porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity in the priority flow occurrence area of the Shenfu-Dongsheng coal mining collapse area were greater than those in the non-priority flow area, and the volumetric weight and field water-holding capacity were less than those in the non-priority flow area zone; (2) When the rainfall duration was 10min, 20min and 30min, the corresponding depths of substrate flow were 5cm, 8cm and 10cm, respectively; and the depths of preferential flow were 26.4cm, 47.7cm and 44.3cm, respectively. the longer the rainfall duration, the deeper the development of substrate and preferential flow; (3) In general, the staining area ratio at each test site showed a decreasing trend with the increase of soil layer depth, and the morphology showed an S shape. When the rainfall duration was short, the magnitude of change in the coloring area ratio with soil layer depth was small; when the rainfall duration was long, the fluctuation of the coloring area ratio curve increased. (4) In general, with the increase of soil depth, the number of wide staining paths was decreasing, the number of fine staining paths was increasing, and the total number of staining paths showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing. And the longer the rainfall duration, the wider the soil staining paths at the same depth, and the number of wide paths was more. [Conclusion] The f indings can provide scientific basis for land reclamation and ecological management in coal mining areas.