It was constructed for hydroelectric power production and flood control.

In 1977, the first use of roller compacted concrete in Brazilian dam construction occurred on the São Simão.

[1] The dam is 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) long and 127 metres (417 ft) high embankment dam with concrete spillway and power plant sections.

The dam's power station contains six 285 megawatts (382,000 hp) generators powered by Francis turbines for a total installed capacity of 1,710 megawatts (2,290,000 hp).

[2][3] There is additional room for four more generators in the power stations but there are no plans to have them installed currently.