Yes, siphons are used on a regular basis. This is usually done at the beginning of a pipe where it has to rise out of the creek and go over a bank or this can be used to go over a dam when it would be difficult to alter the dam. These can be difficult to get started. A valve can be added to the high point of the line and this can be used to fill the line with water. Then the stop valve is opened at the turbine and the flow that starts should suck along any trapped air. Another way to start the line is to suck the air out with a hand or motor operated vacuum pump that pulls water into the line. Air may tend to accumulate in the high spot of a siphon system. If the velocity of the water is not high enough to pull the air along, air may accumulate and stop the flow.