The purpose of the dam, the tallest in Okinawa, is water supply and flood control.

[2] Under the Ryukyu Domestic Water Corporation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the dam in 1969.

[3] The dam was later raised to accommodate an improved intake and an additional 2.4 m (8 ft) in water elevation.

On the eastern edge of the reservoir, 6.3 km (4 mi) east of the dam, there is an auxiliary spillway at 26°38′15″N 128°14′12″E / 26.63750°N 128.23667°E / 26.63750; 128.23667 (Fukuji Dam Auxiliary Siphon Spillway).

This spillway is a siphon-type and operates automatically to help drain the reservoir during flooding.