In order to explore the effects of cascade diversion-type small hydropower stations (SHPSs) on benthic macroinvertebrate community structures, we investigated the macroinvertebrate communities in rivers affected by three SHPSs in Jingguhe River, Yunnan province. Results indicated that the operation of SHPSs had significant impact on water velocity and depth, and some differences in Shannon-Weiner index and species richness were found between the reduced-discharge section and the mixed-discharge section. Moreover, for the three stations, the density and biomass in mixed-discharge section were higher than those in reduced-discharge section. As for functional feeding groups, the relative abundances of filter-collectors, predators and scrapers in mixed-discharge section were significantly higher than those in reduced-discharge section. Furthermore, the results of ABC (Abundance Biomass Comparison) curve analysis showed the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the reduced-discharge section were subjected to some disturbance compared with those in the mixed-discharge section. Attention should be paid to the impact of cascade small hydropower stations on benthic macroinvertebrate community structure.