The dam was constructed between 1998 and 2003 as part of San Diego's Emergency Storage Project with the primary purpose of water supply for municipal use.

It does not sit on a river or stream but is supplied with water by a system of pumps and pipes.

Ladd Associates excavated the dam's foundation and removed 700,000 cu yd (540,000 m3) of material on an $8.4 million contract.

Construction on the actual dam began in 2000 by Kiewit Pacific and in 2001, Morrison Knudsen Corp received a $23 million contract to install the pipeline.

[1] The Olivehain Municipal Water District operates the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve around the reservoir.