[2][3] The dam is crossed by the Cartier Railway, which runs along the south shore of Petit lac Manicouagan.

[4] The dam and power plant have their origin on 26 January 1957 when the Québec Cartier Mining Company was created by U.S. Steel to supply iron ore concentrate.

[5] On 21 February 1957 the Queen, with the advice and consent to the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, authorized leasing the water powers of the Hart-Jaune River and the Petit Lac Manicouagan, including the right to regulate the flow of the river and to store water in the lake.

[6] The new company spent $325 million to build the Lake Jeannine mining site, with the nearby town of Gagnon and Hart-Jaune power station, as well as the Cartier Railway leading to a port at Port-Cartier from which the first load of iron ore concentrate was shipped in June 1961.

[8] In September 1998, following an environmental impact review, Hydro Quebec was given permission to undertake a back-filling project over a distance of 2,385 metres (7,825 ft) in Petit lac Manicouagan and the Hart Jaune river to rehabilitate the riprap protection of part of the upstream facing of the retaining structures for the Hart-Jaune complex.

[10] In July 2013 Hydro Quebec evacuated its personnel from the power station as a precautionary measure due to a major forest fire in the area.