Encasing the dam were upstream and downstream walls created from limestone ashlars.

[1] Because of erosion on the downstream face of the incomplete dam and its lack of a spillway, it is believed that a flood destroyed it.

In addition, there was no evidence of a trench or tunnel that would have diverted water in the wadi around the construction site.

However, as the top of the dam was not beheaded it was not protected from flood water that would over-top the crest.

The dam's proximity to the fertile Nile River and distance from populations indicates it was built for protection against such events, similar to those that still occur today.