The purposes of the dam are to irrigate 8000 hectares of the farmland in Zarrin Abad plain, Haji Gheshlagh, Yangi, Jamesara and 300 hectares of farmland in downstream of the storage dam to confluence of the Ghezel Uzan River, control the flood of the Sajas River, and supply water to the downstream industries.

The dam site is built on the Sajas River, 50-km southwest of city of Zanjan in Zanjan province. The dam site is located at the longitude of 48o,19' east and latitude of 36o,19' north. It is 360 km to city of Tehran.

The reconnaissance studies on the Galabar dam project and its appurtenant irrigation and drainage network began and ended in 1988 and 1992 respectively. The phase I study began in 1993 and the final studies were reported to the client in late 1997. Following the review and approval of the studies, the phase II study contract was awarded to Mahab Ghodss Consulting Engineering Company in Oct.2000. The phase II study ended in Jun.2002.