A system for generating hydrokinetic power from a subcritical channel is disclosed. The system comprises a power channel diverted from the subcritical channel for generating hydrokinetic power by changing one more flow parameters of water, wherein the power channel includes an intake section, one or more slope section, one or more power section and a recovery section, an intake spillway at the intake section of power channel, connecting the subcritical channel with the power channel for enhancing the velocity of water, wherein the intake spillway is designed based on rate of discharge of water to be drawn from the subcritical channel and an array of turbines located in the power channel for generating power using the diverted water from the subcritical channel, wherein the number of turbines are based on the length of the power channel.