The annual allocation, inter-annual variation and relation of water diversion and recession are analyzed in Ningxia reach of the Yellow River main stream from 1999 to 2012. Water consumption in Ningxia reach was calculated by water diversion-recession method and water balance method. The average value of water diversion-recession method is 3.264 billion m3 and annual varia-tion is relatively steady. The result of water balance method is 3.937 billion m3 and annual variation is obvious. It is suggested that strengthen verification of entrances and monitoring of water diversion and recession.