[5][7] The reservoir and its distribution system were designed and built by the state government’s Waterworks Department with construction being carried out from November 1914 to mid-1917.

The majority of work involved the excavation of a natural depression and the construction of an embankment dam wall with a puddle core on land in section 159 of the cadastral unit of the Hundred of Goolwa.

[2][7] Its original purpose was to supply only Victor Harbor, Middleton and Port Elliott, however water mains were extended to Goolwa after its residents petitioned the state government.

In 1983, land consisting of sections 159 and 160 of the Hundred of Goolwa and which includes the reservoir and part of its catchment was listed on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate with the following statement of significance:[10][11]This is a significant stand of natural vegetation due to its size and the diversity of plant communities which include savannah woodland in a fairly natural state.

[3] In September 2014, the reservoir was one of five regional water storage facilities listed for potential reuse for recreational activities such as fishing.