It is located about six miles (9.7 km) south of Big Rapids.

Construction of the dam began in 1905, and its power plant was commissioned in March 1906.

Owned and operated by Consumers Energy, the primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation.

[2][3][4] On December 22, 1921, the original 4.5-megawatt (6,000 hp) power plant was destroyed in a fire.

[6] It is the oldest hydroelectric power plant operated by Consumers Energy, which also owns the Hardy and Croton dams downstream of Rogers Dam.