The reservoir is impounded by Mackay Dam, which was built in 1918 by the Big Lost River Irrigation District.

[2][3][4] The towns of Mackay and Arco put on a Fourth of July fireworks show at the reservoir every year.

This prompted the owners, the Utah Construction Company, to drop its selling price on the dam, and in 1936, the town of Mackay purchased it under the Lost River Irrigation District.

[7] Since that time, Mackay has hosted an annual barbecue in the fall to celebrate the purchase of the reservoir, which residents fondly call "The Res".

This was following a 2009 inspection report which stated, “Much about this dam is not known due to poor documentation during initial construction and subsequent modifications.