The earthen and concrete dam was constructed in 1951 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with three tainter gates, a height of 60 feet (18 m), and 1,800 feet (550 m) in length at its crest.

[3] It impounds the Sheyenne River for irrigation water storage and for flood control.

The dam is owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District.

[4] The name "Ashtabula" is a Native American word meaning "Fish River.

[6] Popular for recreation, Lake Ashtabula contains walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch and black bullheads.