Preliminary construction (surveying, roads, bridges, diversion tunnels) began in September 2011 and it is expected to be complete in 2013.

To maintain reservoir levels, the dam will have a spillway controlled by four radial gates with a design flow of 22,600 cubic metres per second (800,000 cu ft/s).

The dam's power plant will have a nominal hydraulic head of 197 metres (646 ft) and contain eight 307 megawatts (412,000 hp) Francis turbine-generators.

[13] On May 16 silt build-up in a portion of the power house, the only means to drain the reservoir, led to water escaping into a transit gallery used by construction vehicles.

[18] Some sources argue the dam construction has severe ecological consequences, and there are displaced families, environmentalists, youth groups and concerned locals that oppose the project.

[20] In February 2019 the Project came under increased pressure from local and national governmental regulatory agencies[21] because of the closure of the river flow and the environmental and economic impact downstream.

Moreover, studies from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia showed that the failure of the dam is likely unless an emergency plan was adopted.