The working mechanism, technical equipment and development process of existing leakage detection methods for earth-rockfill dam leakage were reviewed. The applicable scenarios, advantages and limitations of these technologies were summarized and compared. It is pointed out that the rapid inspection and efficient disposal of leakage danger in flood season is a weak link in the safety guarantee of earth-rockfill dams. The construction of complete equipment system of rapid inspection, accurate positioning and efficient disposal is a direction need to be tackled at present. The establishment of automatic monitoring system and early warning system with space-time continuity is the long-term goal to ensure the long-term and safe service of earth-rockfill dams.