<p>The shield-type rubber dam merges the advantages of conventional hydraulic steel gates and rubber dams. In this paper, the large-scale model tests were performed to investigate the effects of inflated air pressure, anchoring distances, and cross-sectional perimeter on the water-retaining capacity of the shield-type rubber dam. It is found that the inclined angle of the steel shield, the height, and the air pressure of the rubber dam have unique relationships because the normalized values fall within a very narrow band. The support of the rubber dam to the steel shield is influenced by the air pressure, cross-sectional perimeter, and anchoring distance. The curve-fitted equations can be used for the design of the shield-type rubber dam. The contact frictions between the rigid base and rubber dam reduce the tensile forces, while those between the rubber dam and steel shield are nonuniform, with the minimum magnitudes located at the middle of the contact section.</p>