The catchment of the reservoir is 8.19 km2 large, with a perimeter of 13.43 km and a length of 5640 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation.[2] The lithology of the catchment is Agula Shale, Mekelle Dolerite, and sandstone of the Amba Aradam Formation.[1] Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.[3]
^ abcDe Wit, Joke (2003). Stuwmeren in Tigray (Noord-Ethiopië): kenmerken, sedimentatie en sediment-bronnen. Unpub. M.Sc. thesis. Department of Geography, K.U.Leuven.
^Nigussie Haregeweyn, and colleagues (2008). "Sediment yield variability in Northern Ethiopia: A quantitative analysis of its controlling factors". Catena. 75 (1): 65–76. Bibcode:2008Caten..75...65H. doi:10.1016/j.catena.2008.04.011.