[5][6] The Dahla Dam was built in 1952 on the Arghandab River, which flows over a length of 250 mi (400 km).

[11] A technical appraisal of the status of the project carried out by experts from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2008 revealed that the siltation in the reservoir had resulted in reduction of the storage capacity by 34%, irrigation system had deteriorated resulting in loss in canal discharge to the extent of 70% on account of siltation, evaporation, seepage and other defects.

The intake tower of the dam was not functioning properly and control valves were leaking, spillway capacity to discharge flood waters was inadequate, and there was no operational plan.

[7] On completion of the rehabilitation works by raising the height of the dam and related appurtenant works, and the improvements of the canal system, the volume of available water would be increased from 300 million cubic meters to 484 million cubic meters.

This would facilitate irrigation to command areas in the districts of Shah Wali Kot, Arghandab, Zhari, Panjwai, Maiwand, Dand and Daman, and also help in planning and building a hydropower station to generate electricity.

Desilting and repairs to 77.6 km (48.2 mi) of main canal and about 415 km (258 mi) of branch and minor canals, replacement of water valves and erecting gates to improve control over the flow of water supplying to farm fields from the reservoir of the Dahla Dam were carried out.

The work was initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers but then abandoned due to a financial issue with the Afghan government.

[6] According to Toryalai Mahboobi, Kandahar basin chief, the reservoir of Dahla Dam would have 950 million cubic meters of fresh water after the third phase of the project is completed.