The dam was constructed during the middle of the Roman occupation of Portugal.

Built in two phases, it consists of a rectilinear wall that was originally about 40 metres long.

The small size means that researchers have concluded that the dam served agricultural purposes, despite evidence of aqueducts in the area.

[4] The dam was first noted by Father Carvalho Costa in 1712 in his work, Corographia Portugueza.

Formal classification was concluded in 1996, after which a more detailed archaeological study was started.