The dam was constructed in a deep gorge in the Nallamala Hills in between Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts, above sea level. It is long, maximum height and has crest gates. It has a reservoir of . Project has an estimated live capacity to hold 178.74 Tmcft at its full reservoir level of MSL. The minimum draw down level (MDDL) of the reservoir is at MSL from its river sluice gates and corresponding dead storage is 3.42 Tmcft. The left bank underground power station houses reversible Francis-pump turbines for pumped-storage operation (each Turbine can pump 200 cumecs) and the right bank semi under ground power station houses Francis-turbine generators.