In the winter water transfer process of the Northwest cold region long-distance water transfer project, channels and hydraulic structures such as gate piers are frequently subjected to damage from flowing ice impacts. To safeguard the stability and security of winter water transfer operations, it is imperative to investigate the mechanical response characteristics of gate piers under the influence of flowing ice impact. ANSYS/LS-DYNA finite element software was employed to establish a refined finite element model of the gate pier under ice-water coupling conditions using the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) fluid-solid interaction method. The accuracy and validity of the numerical model are were verified by comparing the impact forces of flowing ice against relevant standards. The mechanical response characteristics of flowing ice on the gate pier by varying models such as the ice-water coupling model, additional mass model, fluid-free model, and flowing ice characteristics (velocity and compression strength) was explored. The findings indicated that the impact damage from flowing ice on the gate pier primarily occurs at the collision contact area between flowing ice and the gate pier. The presence of the water medium significantly mitigates the damage caused by flowing ice, emphasizing its viscous effects. Comparing different collision condition models, the additional mass model exhibits the highest impact force and X-direction displacement peak values, followed by the fluid-free model, with the fluid-solid coupling model showing the least impact, thereby suggesting the suitability of the additional mass model for simulation calculations and structural design. Furthermore, the result revealed that both the peak and mean impact forces increase with higher flow ice velocities and compression strengths, underscoring the importance of considering these factors in impact force assessments. Practical measures such as installing ice stopping ropes are recommended to mitigate flow ice impact forces and ensure structural safety in real-world applications.