[1] Located in rural Enterprise Township, the dam was constructed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to alleviate flooding from Houghton Lake, which is the source of the Muskegon River approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) upstream.

Common fauna in the Muskegon River and Dead Stream Flooding includes bluegill, pumpkinseed, small and largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, native crayfish,[4] northern pike, and bowfin (colloquially referred to as "dogfish").

The footpath across the dam is commonly used by hunters to access the more remote wilderness trails—some of which belonged to the long-defunct and removed railway lines of the Missaukee Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

During the project, the Dead Stream Flooding was slowly drained and eventually allowed for only the regular flow of the Muskegon River.

[9] In addition, a new steel walkway and staircase replaced the older wooden structures, and a large number of rocks were trucked in to strengthen the dike along the reservoir and immediate downstream embankments.