Abstract: Hydrogeological conditions in the south mining area of Qidong Coal Mine is complex, it is in ancient alluvial fan deposition zone, the aquifers (four seams) at the bottom directly overlies the coal-bearing strata. There are different degrees of water inrush phenomenon in Qidong Coal Mine during the mining process in the shallow face. Therefore, a reasonable roof pillar setting has a very important role for coal mining at the first mining face in the southern mining area. The paper used formula method and analogy method to calculate the height of coal pillar at the first mining face in south wing.