The dam is controversial because of its projected impact on the biodiversity within its reservoir area along with the relocation of the locals.

[7] The first studies on the Yusufeli Dam were carried out in the 1970s and it was included in the Coruh River Hydropower Development Master Plan in 1982.

The dam's spillway will be a service controlled chute type with a maximum discharge capacity of 8,000 m3/s (282,517 cu ft/s).

[1] In April 2023 the reservoir behind the dam began filling, thus submerging the town of Yusufeli, population 7000.

[9] If built, Yusufeli Dam is expected to have significant biological impacts including: