A month later, President Marcos authorized the construction of the Upper Pampanga River Project at the reserve with the Pantabangan Dam as its centerpiece.

[4] Construction started in March 1971 with residents at the dam site relocated to the upper portion of Pantabangan by the Department of Agrarian Reform and NIA.

It is spread over 36 barangays or villages in five municipalities: Carranglan, Pantabangan, Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Sur and Maria Aurora.

[1][5] The reservoir is a major water source for domestic consumption in Central Luzon and supplies the irrigation requirements of 24 municipalities in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga.

[5] A hotel on the southern shore of the lake offers a spa, swimming pool, tennis court and water sports amenities.

[8] The open grasslands occupying the flat areas near Pantabangan Lake primarily consist of cogon grass, samon and talahib.