[4] The dam was built by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration in 1960 to supplement water supplies for irrigation.

[3] In late June and early July 2020, heavy rainfall caused a runoff event with record flooding on the Little Saskatchewan River.

[3] Nearby municipalities declared states of emergency, and the city of Brandon put over 2,000 residents on evacuation notice.

[citation needed] Approximately 83 people had to evacuate from their homes in the Rivers Dam flood zone area.

[3] Once the flood waters receded, the province was able to assess the dam, with interim repairs to the spillway being completed in February 2021.