The dam is 130 m (427 ft) long and has a single 8 MW (11,000 hp) Kaplan turbine which produces an average of 22 GWh (79 TJ) each year.

Built between 1952 and 1957. the construction of Carrigadrohid required the destruction of over half of the Gearagh, an ancient alluvial forest, and initially harmed local wildlife.

[4] According to Cawley et al, the construction of this dam and the one at Inniscarra "have reduced significantly the extent and frequency of flooding along the Lee valley into Cork City".

Prior to the construction, there were a number of fatal floodings in the city of Cork, including one on 2 November 1853 that killed 12 people.

[6] The stocks of animals like trout, otters, eels and freshwater pearl mussels were also negatively impacted by the construction.