Valve hydraulics problems are the key technical problems in single-step locks with high head.The lock with two levels of water-saving pools is carried out to solve the problem in Datengxia lock,based on the theory of water-saving shiplock abroad.It is concluded that the water-saving shiplock can reduce the work head with 20.125 meters and the water-saving rate is 48.76%.Comparing with the single-step locks,it can simplify the filling and emptying system because of the lower head.Besides,the water-saving shiplock has a broad application prospect in high dam navigation which considers both power and agricultural irrigation.