The dam's purpose includes irrigation, the generation of hydro-electric power, water supply and conservation.

[2] The dam wall was raised in 1958 by the addition of gates; stabilised using ground anchors in 1989;[3] and upgraded in 2003 to enable it to withstand overtopping.

[2] In 1994, a hydro-electric power station with two Francis turbine-generators was commissioned, with a capacity of 4 megawatts (5,400 hp) and generating 9 gigawatt-hours (32 TJ) per annum.

[1] There is a local legend that the lake is haunted by a ghost by the name of Matilda Power who died in an unfortunate accident back in 1939.

Local ghost hunters say that she's often spotted by the lake at the end of Gillum Road, particularly in March each year.