Established by John Moffat, a mining entrepreneur,[3] its construction was supervised by Tom Brodie, a Scottish stonemason.

A structural investigation was initiated in 2010 on behalf of its owner, the State Government of Queensland by the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

This investigation uncovered significant structural concerns with the dam after many long-held assumptions about its initial construction were found to be untrue.

After 12 months of negotiations at State level, a proposal was submitted to Tablelands Regional Council to take on ownership of the dam subsequent to a State-funded upgrade.

In January 2012 Tablelands Regional Council decided to take on ownership of the Dam and the State began preparations for its upgrade.