Abstract: The authors have comprehensively analyzed the data collected from monitoring instruments， such as thermometers， strain gauges and reinforcement meters which are embedded in the sluice retaining wall. So the fundamental reasons of concrete cracking of the sluice retaining wall are obtained. The research results show that the reason for the sluice retaining wall cracking is the sudden drop of the atmospheric temperature. The temperature decrease causes the concrete shrinking which is constrained by two sides of pillars and inter reinforcement， and at the same time, the shrinkage tensile stress appears too. Crack appears when the shrinkage tensile stress is over the tensile strength of the concrete. Therefore， before the pouring of the concrete， reducing the amount of slurry and mixing with an appropriate amount of expansive agent are suggested. And after concrete pouring， curing with moisture and heat preservation materials is suggested too. These recommendations are suggested in order to reduce the risk of hydraulic concrete cracking which is caused by shrinkage.