Completed in 1979, the dam provides water for the irrigation of over 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of farmland in the Doukkala region.

The dam's hydroelectric power plant also generates 221 gigawatt-hours (800 TJ) on average annually.

[4] The wetlands have also been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support significant populations of wintering waterbirds, including ruddy shelducks, marbled teals, northern shovelers and gull-billed terns.

[5] In 2024 analysis of satellite images of the dam by the BBC revealed the volume of water was 3% of the amount present nine years previously.

Reduced snowfall at higher altitude had also contributed to less meltwater flowing into the streams feeding the dam.