A barrage dam was constructed at the estuary of the Nakdong river in order to increase water supply potential to the many municipal and industrial cities including Pusan, Ulsan, and Masan, and protect them from salt water hazard. It also protects the wide Kimhae agricultural plain of 15,000 ha from salinity hazard.
The Nakdong estuary barrage that is 2,230 meters long was completed in November 1988 and is composed of 510 meter long concrete dam with 10 big sluice gates (50 meters wide), I lock gate, and 1,720 meter long earth-fill dam
The barrage which provides 4 lane highway on the upper part of the dam connexts two cities of Pusan and Chinhae, and shortens the travel distance by 10 km. It annually supplies 750 million ton of water in various uses.
The completion of the project made it possible to increase water supply of 750 million ton annually to the downstream areas of the Nakdong river basin. The project also provided a reclaimed area of 330 ha which is utilized as residential and industrial sites in the Pusan area where land price is extremely high.
Taking into consideration that this area is one of the world's famous paradises for migrating birds, ample considerations and measures were recommended by Dutch technicians and local consultants. From the recommendation, fish ladders and a nutrient supplying sluice gate was installed to minimize the possible detrimental changes in environment and ecology