Abstract: The surface spillway division pier on high arch dams can better improved flow pattern and characteristics of pressure on plunge pool slabs, which can enhance the efficiency of energy dissipation. But the cavitation of the division pier can not be neglected. The cavitation characteristics of Goupitan Hydropower Station with surface spillway division pier was studied by means of vacuum tank model test, in which detection techniques of underwater noise were adopted.The results indicate that the area of division pier is much possibly damaged,but the cavitation intensity was reduced clearly to cavitation initial stage in the modified scheme of adopting a circular arc.