The purpose of the dam is mainly hydroelectricity but it also promotes flood control, navigation, tourism and fishery.

At 233 m (764 ft) tall and containing 15,640,000 m3 (20,460,000 cu yd) of material, it is the tallest concrete face rock-fill dam in the world.

On August 12, 2006, the dam reached its maximum height of 233 m (764 ft) and by July 2007, its first hydroelectricity generator was operational.

In March 2008, the third generator was operational and the dam along with its power station were completed later in 2008.

[2] The dam was designed by CWRC and built by Hubei Qingjiang Shuibuya Project Construction Company in addition to the Gezhouba Group Company, Jiangnan Water Resource & Hydropower Engineering Co. and China Water Resource & Hydropower No.