Located in Ada County, about three miles (5 km) east of Boise, the dam was constructed by the Barber Lumber Company between 1904 and 1906 to serve as a mill pond for timber.

[5] In 1934, the Great Depression effected the closure of the mill and the facilities were purchased by Boise Cascade.

The Harris Ranch purchased the dam and mill after the depression and developed the area for residential property.

[6] The dam was purchased by Ada County in 1977 and is currently regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

[3] The dam and lumber mill were added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1978.