The dam and its power station were built between 1979 and the mid-1980s and have an installed capacity of 600 MW, making Koman one of the largest hydropower plants in Albania. It is the middle of three dams on this stretch of the Drin, between Fierza upstream and Vau i Dejës downstream, and its reservoir is the narrow, fjord-like Lake Koman.
The ferry landing lies just above the dam and is reached through a short road tunnel cut into the rock, a memorable start to the trip. The area also has deep roots: finds from a hillfort cemetery near Koman gave their name to the early medieval Komani-Kruja culture, known from sites across northern Albania.
Koman is reached from Shkodër via Vau i Dejës on a winding mountain road, and morning minibuses connect with the ferry departures. Beyond the views of the dam and the gorge there is little to do in the village itself, so most visitors arrive shortly before the boat leaves. The road and landing are busiest in summer.
