It supplies drinking water to the town of Nordhausen.

The dam was built in 1904–1905, in the southern Harz mountains, and it was raised by a further 6.26 metres in 1922–1923.

The operator of the dam is the Thüringer Fernwasserversorgung; the water is supplied to the Wasserverband Nordhausen (Nordhausen Water Association).

Swimming and water sports are not permitted on the lake, but there is a public path around the lakeshore.

It was reinforced, waterproofed on the upstream side with asphaltic concrete, and given an inspection walkway and an impervious blanket.