The dam and the lake were named after Patrick Leslie (1815–1881), an early settler in the region and the first person to buy land in Warwick.

[5] On 21 October 2001, sculpltures of Patrick Leslie and his wife Kate Leslie were unveiled as part of the Centenary of Federation Celebrations and as a tribute to pioneering women.

[7][8] On the night of 5 January 2011, the dam spilled for the first time in more than two decades.

The resulting high waters in Sandy Creek closed the Cunningham Highway.

The following day SunWater reduced the release rate after requests by Warwick's mayor, Ron Bellingham.