It was constructed in 1921 to improve Perth's water supply; the executive engineer on the project was Arthur Hillman.

[2] The water collected in the dam was at one time pumped back into Victoria Dam, where it was treated, then gravitated or pumped into the metropolitan trunk main system for distribution.

However the current quality of the water, collected within the reservoir, is considered unsuitable for consumption.

As such it is no longer transferred for addition to Perth's Integrated Water Supply System.

[3][4][5] The area around the reservoir, including the dam, recreation camp, Hardinge Park and the pipe track from Victoria Dam are on the City of Gosnells heritage list.