A siphon spillway is a closed conduit system formed in the shape of an inverted U, positioned so that the inside of the bend of the upper passageway is at normal reservoir storage level (Figure 17). This type of siphon is also called a Saddle siphon spillway. The initial discharges of the spillway, as the reservoir level rises above normal, are similar to flow over a weir. Siphonic action takes place after the air in the bend over the crest has been exhausted. Continuous flow is maintained by the suction effect due to  the gravity pull of the water in the lower leg of the siphon. 

Siphon spillways comprise usually of five components, which include an inlet, an upper leg, a throat or control section, a lower leg and an outlet. A siphon breaker air vent is also provided to control the siphonic action of the spillway so that it will cease operation when the reservoir water surface is drawn down to normal level. Otherwise the siphon would continue to operate until air entered the inlet. The inlet is generally placed well below the Full Reservoir Level to prevent entrance of drifting materials and to avoid the formation of vortices and draw downs which might break siphonic action. 

Another type of siphon spillway (Figure 18) designed by Ganesh Iyer has been named after him. It consists of a vertical pipe or shaft which opens out in the form of a funnel at the top and at the bottom it is connected by a right angle bend to a horizontal outlet conduit. The top or lip of the funnel is kept at the Full Reservoir Level. On the surface of the funnel are attached curved vanes or projections called the volutes.