The dam holds 3,412 million cubic meters of water at full reservoir level (FRL).

[1][6] Bhitarkanika Mangroves, located in Odisha adjacent to Bay of Bengal, faces a unique threat since the construction of this dam.

Scientists from the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) and the Spatial Planning and Analysis Research Centre Private Limited (SPARC) have performed a study on the Effect of reduced water flow through Brahmani-Baitarani river system on the mangrove population of Bhitarkanika estuary.

First, in the Comptroller and Auditors General of India's report on Odisha [civil] for the year ending March 31, 2000 on Paragraph 4.1 and again on CAG's report on Odisha [civil] for the year ending March 31, 2008 on Paragraph 3.2.

The report had not been discussed by the Odisha State Assembly's Public Account Committee as of August 2008.