The lake and dam were named for the community of Foss, Oklahoma, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of the site.

Their primary purpose is to regulate flow of the river and to provide water for the cities of Bessie, Clinton, Cordell and Hobart.

[3] Foss State Park encompasses 1,749 acres (7,080,000 m2) of land and contains 8 campgrounds, swimming beach, 6 boat ramps, a playground, marina, and a restaurant.

The bison had recently been moved into Foss State Park from another location in western Oklahoma.

The Bureau of Reclamation built one of the first electrodialysis plants in the United States to process the water before it is delivered to users.