Structures are built to slow fluvial currents thus allowing suspended sediments to settle out. It follows that there is a decrease in flow rate with steeper angles of diversion. If additional transport of the sediment is needed the angle of the diversion should be decreased in order to conserve a portion of velocity. When constructing dikes for use in small scale diversional projects special considerations are necessary. The foundation of the dike should consist of impermeable clay or bedrock.
Seepage resulting from a porous base can result in the failure of a dike.
The dike needs to be from 1 to 1.5 m in width. This will allow for a foot path involved in the maintenance of the structure. Another common method of construction of diversions is the extension of existing morphological features. In 1995, a project in Pontchartrain Basin of Louisiana, extended the downstream levees of dead end drainage canals. The recycled trees served as a trap for sediment accretion.