The Dahla Dam on the Argandab River, which was built with help from the West in the 50's, feeds a long network of canals, irrigating the former breadbasket of the country. Eighty percent of Kandahar's population near some aspect of this system - and after years of war, the irrigation system works a significantly reduced capacity. ISAF officials say it will be at least five years until the dam and waterways are working fully again.
