The dam is one of the two main headwater storages in the Mersey Forth scheme and assists in regulating the water supply to four downstream power stations.

[2] The power station was commissioned in 1971 by the Hydro Electric Corporation and the station has one Maier Francis turbine, with a generating capacity of 10.5 megawatts (14,100 hp) of electricity.

[3] The associated Rowallan Lake which is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) long and 9 square kilometres (3.5 sq mi) in area, is 488 metres (1,601 ft) above sea level and is bordered by Clumner Bluff and Howells Bluff.

[5] Lake Rowallan is also the starting point for walks into nearby highland areas including the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

[7][8] Both the power station and lake are named in honour of Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan, the former Governor of Tasmania.