As a kind of construction diversion method，culvert diversion has its own small-scale projects，the construction process is simple，quick construction progress and construction risk is low.It’s suitable for natural river flow to narrow and small project.Combined with the engineering characteristics of sub period reasonable selection of diversion culvert can not only accelerate the construction progress and reduce the risk of diversion and closure and can save the project investment.According to the design of Yang Xia reservoir’s initial diversion，the paper expounds the advantages and disadvantages of the diversion culvert and the applicable conditions，in order to provide reference for the design and construction of the similar project.