Abstract: Aiming at the failure characteristics and the water permeation mechanism of the weak overburden in the aquifer, in this paper, two-dimensional physical similarity simulation experiment is used to explore the mining process. The formation mechanism of the seepage flow area is analyzed, and the judgment basis of the dominant route of water diversion is discussed. The experimental study shows that under the action of seepage, the fractured area of fissure development area, fissure compacting area and potential fissure area are affected by mining failure. From surface to coal seam direction, overburden fissure gradually increased from top to bottom, the water seeps along the fissures with larger crack rate into goaf. The seepage area is distributed in the “funnel” distribution above the aquifer, and the “broken arch” is formed along the fault line of the formation. The trace of water flow gradually dissipated from the inside of the “broken arch” to the outside. In the direction of coal seam, the relative size of the gushing water is the side of the open-off cut> the overburden area of the goaf area> the side of the stop mining face.