The invention belongs to the technical field of wireless communication, and particularly relates to a congestion control based wireless sensor network routing optimization method. The method comprises the steps of establishing a link gradient function from each node to a prior neighbor node according to geographical location information of the nodes; constructing a node queue model, and establishing a flow radius function of each link according to the data packet service rate of the nodes; constructing a link flow rate model among the nodes according to the established link gradient function and the flow radius function; establishing a routing forward probability function by the nodes according to difference in each link flow rate so as to complete establishment of routing; and establishing a congestion detection function so as to carry out real-time detection on the congestion degree of a network, and carrying out local routing maintenance once node congestion occurs. According to the invention, the link gradient function is established through using basic conceptions and principles in hydrology for reference, thereby sufficiently realizing effectiveness of node energy consumption, enabling energy consumption of the whole network to be optimized, and having good real-time performance and reliability.