It has a capacity of 2.24 gigalitres (79 million cubic feet) for a catchment area of 16 square kilometres (6.2 sq mi).

[1] The creation of the dam was announced in March 1923 by Premier James Mitchell.

Along with Canning Dam and Wungong Dam, it formed part of the Hills Water Supply Scheme which was intended to rectify severe water shortages in metropolitan Perth.

[2] Construction of the dam commenced in 1923 and was completed in 1929; the resident engineer was Sir Russell John Dumas.

[3][4][5][6][7][8] The dam is on the City of Armadale's heritage list, having been registered on 1 December 2008.