In 1873, the Boundary Commission set out from Pembina, Dakota Territory to survey the Canada–United States border.

In 1874, the North-West Mounted Police followed the same route along Long Creek on their March West to deal with the Cypress Hills Massacre.

Near that point, a dam was built to create a small lake called Radville Reservoir.

At this point, the river goes through Crosby Country Club golf course[7] and continues eastward before eventually turning due north back into Canada about 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi) west of the Noonan–Estevan Highway Border Crossing.

Long Creek is the primary inflow and outflow for the reservoir, which supplies water to the Boundary Dam Power Station.