The earth-fill dam was constructed between 1947 and 1952 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for purposes of flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply and recreation.

[1] The lake and dam were named for the Tenkiller family, prominent Cherokees who owned the land and ferry that were bought for the project.

[3] Scuba divers can even see the ruins of old communities that were flooded by the lake, such as the original town of Cookson.

Other than the goats, many other animals inhabit the area including Canada geese, white tail deer, ducks, monarch butterflies, warblers, otters, mink, beaver, bear, mountain lion, wild hogs, wild turkey and bald eagles.

The Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area consists of 2,950 acres (11,900,000 m2) on the southwest shoreline of the lake, a mixture of upland and riparian habitat.