Created in 1947 after the Sagami River was dammed, it serves as use for recreational and hydroelectric purposes.

[3][4] Typical lake flows (in m3/s) are 85 hydroelectric, 10.34 domestic, 4.16 irrigation, and 2.15 industrial.

[1] The main issue was microcystis algae bloom and reached its highest cell count of 2,500,000 cells/mL in July–October 1979 (data from 1985).

[5] In return for their livelihood being taken away, many of these families were offered rental boats in the new lake.

[5] To compensate for the loss of the smelt, black bass from the United States was imported to the lake as was Prussian carp.