The Mettur Dam attracted national and state attention as the Tamil Nadu government ordered an increased discharge of water to meet the rising agricultural demand for delta irrigation in the Cauvery region. The dam's gate openings and water release schedules are critical for farming across the Cauvery delta districts, especially during dry spells and inter-state water sharing considerations. Its reservoir, known as the Stanley Reservoir, serves as a primary source of irrigation and drinking water for Tamil Nadu.