The dam is intended for hydroelectric purposes and is part of Stage I of the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project and supports the 405-megawatt (543,000 hp) Dikrong Power House. The 68 m (223 ft) tall dam diverts water south into a 10.1 km (6.3 mi) headrace tunnel which is then transferred into a 1,062 m (3,484 ft) penstock before reaching the three 135 megawatts (181,000 hp) turbines.[1] Since commissioning, the power house has been generating much less than its capacity because of drought.[2]
Stage II of the project is designed to provide water storage for Stage I and includes a 134 m (440 ft) rock-fill embankment dam with a 523,000,000 m3 (1.85×1010 cu ft) storage capacity. This dam will support an additional 180 megawatts (240,000 hp) power station.[3]
