The dam was opened in the 1990s[1] for the purpose of harnessing Danube's power in form of electricity, easing the navigability of the relatively busy waterway and providing greater flood protection[5] to the nearby area of Žitný Island.

However, it has been criticized for its impact on the natural environment, namely on rare alluvial forests spread around Danube's uniquely preserved system of river arms.

[6][7] The dam creates a reservoir of the same name, which spans upstream to Slovakia's capital Bratislava.

The original plan involved constructing part of the reservoir on Hungarian soil, but due to Hungary having abandoned the project, secondary Čunovo Dam has been constructed to restrain the flooded area only to Slovak soil.

Čunovo Dam lets a portion of river's discharge flow into the old (former) Danube's main channel, around which the aforementioned alluvial forests are located, while Gabčíkovo Dam together with the side levees create a new, artificial main channel for the rest of the water volume.