In this paper, an urban drainage pumping station was taken into the study. The inflow pattern and hydraulic flow characteristics of the water intake system were studied by the physical model experiment. It was found that the inappropriate layout of the water intake system made the oblique mainstream concentrated together in the gate shaft, and the distribution of the inlet box culverts was non-uniform. As a result, some bad flow pattern such as eddy and recirculation reflux appeared in the fore-bay and suction sump.In order to improve the bad flow pattern existing in the water intake system of the pumping station, a diversion pier was set in the gate shaft, and a combined rectification measures consisting of a diversion pier, a cross beam, and an elimination vortex plate were arranged in the fore-bay. The improvement experiment results showed that the diversion pier in the gate shaft could increase the uniformity of the inlet box culverts and the fore-bay; With the help of the combined rectification measures, the flow pattern of the fore-bay and the suction sump got improved, especially in the velocity distribution in the intake suction sump. The distribution in horizon was uniform, and in vertical the velocity was large in bottom while small in top. It was beneficial for the inflow of the pumping station and prevention of the surface vertex, which could guarantee a safe stable operation of the pumping station.