The dam is approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) east of the city in an area that is quite accessible.

[1] Construction started in 1909 and the partially completed project was abandoned in 1913 due to high costs and technical difficulties.

The motivation of building the dam was to provide cheap power and attract business to the area.

[2] The partially complete project had cost nearly $3 million and nearly bankrupted the city in the process.

The site is named after fur trader John Cole, who established a trading post near the rapids in 1776.