It was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by damming the East Branch of the Clarion River.

Construction of the rolled earth, impervious core dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944.

The lake is one of sixteen flood control projects administered by the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The dam is 7.3 mi (11.7 km) upstream from the confluence of the East and West branches of the Clarion River.

The remainder of the land surrounding the lake is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as Elk State Park.