The upper reaches of the Makwa River's watershed reach just across the border into Alberta and includes lakes such as Hewett, Ministikwan, Makwa, and Jumbo.

As Makwa River heads east, it is met by the south-flowing Horsehead Creek.

[6] Makwa Lake Control (54°04′56″N 109°12′04″W / 54.0822°N 109.2012°W / 54.0822; -109.2012) was originally built as a timber dam in 1965.

The dam is 3.1 m (10 ft) high and has two radial gates and a riparian outlet.

The original dam did not have a fish ladder but one was built for the 2010 concrete one.