The uncontrolled concrete spillway is capable of discharging 630 cubic metres per second (22,000 cu ft/s) at maximum flood level.

The power station commenced generating electricity in 1943 and was originally owned and operated by the Bega Valley County Council (since merged).

[2] Later, the creation of the Cochrane Dam, regulated flows of water on the Rutherford Creek to the Brown Mountain Power Station and to meet the irrigation requirements of the Bega Valley catchment.

In 2006 an A$6 million upgrade of facilities at the power station was completed[3] with the installation of a new 4.2 megawatts (5,600 hp) generating unit, supplied with water from Cochrane Dam.

[2][4] Brown Mountain Power Station is connected to the 66 kV transmission line running between Cooma and Bega substations.