The dam is owned by the City of Poway and was constructed between 1970 and 1972 with the purpose of storing and supplying water, and providing recreational facilities to the community.

In 1962, a report showed that Poway's existing storage facilities were insufficient in the event of a breakdown of the aqueduct from the Colorado River following an earthquake or other interruption to the supply.

As a result, it was proposed that an earthen dam be built in Warren Canyon to impound water and form a storage reservoir.

[1] In 2017, torrential rains caused the reservoir water level to near the top of the dam, but a spillover did not occur and it remained structurally sound.

A precautionary boil water advisory was issued and the San Diego County Department of Health forced restaurants and other businesses to shut down for a week.

[5][6] Following this incident a major overhaul of the water system is scheduled to start in 2021, taking five years to be completed and with an estimated cost of $70 million.

[15] A variety of native plants such as Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus) and Wild Canterbury bells (Phacelia minor) can be found near the lake.