Located in the mountains of the Boise National Forest about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Cascade, the 3,000-acre (12 km2) body on the Deadwood River is created by Deadwood Dam.

The reservoir and vicinity is commonly used for camping, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, and other outdoor recreation.

The full pool surface elevation is just above a mile-high at 5,334 ft (1,626 m) above sea level.

Approved by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, the isolated site required substantial road building.

Construction of the concrete arch dam began in late 1929 and was completed in March 1931.