A one-dimensional unsteady state governing equation was developed to simulate moisture transport on the basis of unsaturated seepage flow in capillary landfill covers in response to precipitation and evapotranspiration(ET).The numerical method was used to solve the governing equation with precipitation and ET data of Dalian in 1976(which has the most amount of precipitation in flood season in 48 years). Parametric analysis was conducted to simulate variations in plants, precipitation rate and event duration. The results show that the proposed ET cover of shallow capillary barrier effectively stored rainfall during strong rainfalls and released pore water of soil between rainfalls. Compared with the condition of no plants, ET cover stored and releases water more effectively with plants. Precipitation rate and event duration had significant influences on water content variations of the covers. T he variation ranges of water contents became greater as precipitation rate and event duration increased, and the covers become saturated gradually from up to down,which shows that ET covers of this kind are not suitable for areas with strong rainfall.