The purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and flood control.

By December of that year, the river was diverted and the construction of the actual dam began in January 2006.

Four penstocks with a 10.5 m (34 ft) diameter feed the 4 x 600 MW Francis turbine-generators which can discharge up to 605 m3/s (21,365 cu ft/s) after generation.

[2] Because of high seismic activity in the area of the dam, special care was taken during design and construction to prepare the joints and foundation for sliding and tensile stress.

Earthquake-resistant steel bars were installed in high-tensile areas, the construction joint was reduced to 2/3 its size and filled with non-woven fabrics along with the incorporation of a grouted joint between the dam and power plant.