Construction on the dam began in 1971 and it was completed in 1975, with the power station getting commissioned the same year.

The power station is operated by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is part of the Seven Forks Scheme.

The power station is located underground just below the left toe and contains three 31 MW Francis turbine-generators.

The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of 82 m (269 ft).

Water discharged from the power station travels down a 3,040 m (9,970 ft) long tailrace tunnel before reaching the Tana at Gitaru Reservoir.