The main construction work was undertaken between 1931 and 1934.[7] The dam was built by Société Générale d'Enterprises, a French company.[8] François de Pierrefeu was the prime contractor.[9] Henri Prost (1874-1959) was the architect for the power station, which was completed in 1934.[10] The dam was 51 metres (167 ft) high, with a storage capacity of 225,000,000 cubic metres (7.9×109 cu ft). It would control flooding of the Beht and irrigate 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of fertile land in the Rharb plain.