In order to solve the problems of high velocity near bottom, unstable flow pattern, in conventional stilling basin, based on physical model test of the Qingshanzui Project in Chuxiong, Yunnan, China, a new type of stilling basin -- Stilling Basin with Shallow-water Cushion (SBSC) was proposed, and its hydraulic performances such as the flow pattern, velocity distribution, pressure distribution on bottom and energy dissipation have been studied through the model experiment. The experimental results indicated that the SBSC is favorable for decreasing the velocity near bottom, changing the flow pattern and improving the hydraulic performances in the stilling basin, so that it can stabilize the flow pattern and increase the rate of energy dissipation. The SBSC is of high energy dissipation rate with a low construction cost comparing with the conventional stilling basin.
