The reservoir impounds the North Fork of Flint Creek and lies at an elevation of 6,337 feet (1,932 m) just west of the Anaconda Range.

[4] The reservoir was created in 1885 to produce power for the town of Phillipsburg and area mining operations.

[2] Granite-Bimetallic Mining Company of Philipsburg completed construction of the Georgetown Dam and powerhouse in 1900.

Georgetown Flats was the location of a placer mining camp operated by George Cameron from 1867.

[6] Georgetown Lake is considered a Blue Ribbon fishery and holds trophy-sized rainbow and brook trout.