Abstract: The spur dike is one of the most frequently-used hydraulic structures in the waterway regulation works of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. And in the engineering practice, the riprap permeable spur dikes are often used in the waterway regulation projects because they have certain permeability. In the studies of water-sediment characteristics of the spur dikes, the influences of permeability on the existing spur dikes located in the Yangtze River are seldom considered. Different porosities and void sizes have different effects on improving the water level field and velocity field near the permeable spur dikes. Based on the flume generalization model tests, studies of the flow profile distribution around the permeable spur dikes under the conditions of three void sizes and five porosities are carried out in this research. And the influence law of different void sizes and different porosities on the flow profile around the permeable spur dikes is understood through comparative analysis. The analysis results show that the backwater effect of the permeable spur dikes is better than that of the solid spur dikes under certain void ratios and void sizes. The permeable spur dikes can also increase the downstream water depth and reduce the vertical and horizontal water surface gradients, which has a more positive effect on improving the flow patterns of the narrow section of the right bundle of the permeable spur dikes, thus reducing the damage of the permeable spur dikes, prolonging the service life and improving the ecological environment. The research results have certain reference value for the design of waterway regulation structures and the improvement of waterway regulation effect in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River.