The unit designated as Friant Dam consists of a dam, reservoir, and one or more hydroelectric power plants to be located on the San Joaquin River at or near Friant.

Friant Dam shall be constructed and used primarily for improvement of navigation, flood control, and storage and stabilization of the water supply of the San Joaquin River, for irrigation and domestic use, and secondarily for the generation of electric power and other beneficial uses.

The dam shall be built to such height and the power plant or plants shall be of such capacity as the department determines. The reservoir shall have such capacity as the department determines but the capacity shall be not less than 400,000 acre-feet of water.