It is located near the western Alpine County line, at an elevation of 6,621 feet (2,018 m).

The 189,000 acre-foot (233,000,000 m3) reservoir is formed by New Spicer Meadow Dam on Highland Creek, a tributary of the Stanislaus River.

Downstream from the dam and reservoir, the water continues flowing in Highland Creek until its confluence with the North Fork of the Stanislaus River.

Also, along with the Northern California Power Agency, the water district sells electricity from the 5.5-MW hydroelectric plant at the base of the dam.

They also operate the 253-MW Collierville Powerhouse on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River.