[1] It impounds Seely Creek for irrigation and municipal water supply.
The dam is owned by the Bureau and operated by the local Emery Water Conservancy District as part of the Emery County Project, which also includes Huntington North Dam.
[2] Recreation includes fishing, hunting, boating, camping and hiking.
The site is surrounded by the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Red Pine Ridge is a SNOTEL weather station 9 miles (14.5 km) north of Joes Valley Reservoir.