To address the issue of the formation of connected funnel vortices in the upper approach channel during the ship lock inlet filling process,which adversely affects the inlet and chamber water delivery conditions and deteriorates valve operation,a three-dimensional numerical simulation of the ship lock’s water intake process is conducted using the RNG(renormalization group) k-ε turbulence model.The study focuses on the hydraulic characteristics,including flow velocity and vortex evolution at the ship lock inlet.The results indicate that when the inflow area of the top grid at the inlet is 139.8 m2,the maximum surface flow velocity during the inflow process is 1.6 m/s,and a distinct interconnected funnel vortex is formed at the inlet.When the inlet flow area is increased by 26.95%,the maximum surface flow velocity decreases by 6.25%,effectively slowing the formation of connected funnel vortices at the inlet.When the inlet flow area is increased by 39.86%,the maximum surface flow velocity decreases by 12.5%,and no significant vortex connection occurs at the inlet.By increasing the total net width of the inlet at the lock head side pier and further expanding inflow area of the top grille,the flow pattern can be effectively stabilized,the flow velocity reduced,and the formation of connected funnel vortices slowed.This reduces the operating load on the valves and thereby improves the water delivery efficiency of the ship lock.