The land is in a desert climate, with irrigated areas.

The irrigated area is only 23.48% through well and small channels.

The aim was to bring about a large expansion of the total irrigated area.

The surface of irrigated area by the dam is 83,312 ha.

By the early 20th century, the irrigated area had been increased to about one million acres.

From 1955 to 1975 the annual growth of the irrigated area was almost 3%.

Since 1978, the irrigated area per person has shrunk by 7 percent.

Part of the irrigated area was also assigned to local inhabitants.

The total irrigated area in Colombia was around 50000 ha until 1950.

From 1960 through 1990, private irrigated area expanded at an average annual rate of 15000 ha.