Abstract: Zaoquan mine is a representative mine of Northwest Jurassic roof cracks water, which normal production is seriously thretened by the Zhiluo formation sandstone aquifer and burnt rock water. In order to solve the problem of long construction period and drainage period by conventional borehole, directional long borehole is used to advance dewatering the roof water before 11202 face has formed. During the practice, four directional long boreholes has drilled and total footage is 2589m with maximum drilling depth of 603m, total water flowage is 57440 m3 in three-month drainage period with the maximum instantaneous discharge water is 64.8 m3 / h, with the significant application effect, the roof flood risk has Lifted and the working surface preparation time has reduced, which has ensure the safety of tunneling and mining and can provide a reference for similar mines.